Pros and Cons of Using Estate Liquidation Professionals
- Posted on 1st August 2016
- in antique appraisal, antique liquidator, Estate Liquidation, estate liquidators, Estate Sale
- by Alan
When you have to sell a house, the easiest part is getting the realtor to list it and show. The hardest part is what you do with all the stuff that has accumulated over the years. From clothes to furniture, from knickknacks to art, all of this has to be sifted through to determine what you want to keep and what has to go. And then there are vehicles.
Many people consider a garage sale, but those people frequently find that once they start going through the house, they realize what a daunting and time consuming task they have decided to take on. Enter the liquidators who have experience and also do not have an emotional attachment to any of the items in the home.
The Pros of Liquidators
There are many advantages to using estate liquidators. Here are a few of them.
- Many items have value simply based on the current market. What’s worth a lot today may be worth next to nothing a few years after you buy it Professional liquidators know the market and price accordingly.
- Professional liquidators have a clientele who follow them from estate sale to estate sale. Liquidators can increase the visitors to your sale using their networks in a way you could never do. Increased visitors ensure increased sales.
- With a professional liquidator you can contract to have your home ‘broom ready” when the sale is completed.
- You can contract with them to dispose of whatever is left after the sale, so you don’t have to deal with it.
- You avoid the time and work involved in sorting, organizing, pricing, and tagging the items you want to sell. You don’t have to be present for the sale.
- Liquidators will also work with your realtor to identify potential buyers and to disseminate the realtor’s listing to these individuals.
The Cons of Liquidators
The biggest drawback that folks see with liquidators is that they take a percentage of the gross profits from the sale. Though you may think this is unfair, when you realize what is involved in organizing a successful estate sale, you will understand that this is a small price to pay.
One important consideration when looking at liquidators is that for the most part, this business is unregulated. It is important for you to do your due diligence when deciding what company to contract with. Search the Better Business Bureau and look for reviews on the internet. There are liquidators that are certified by the American Society of Liquidators (ASEL). This organization can also refer you to reputable estate liquidators.