Seasoned estate-sale shoppers share how to avoid junk and score the best deals.
If you enjoydiscovering secondhand treasures, estate sales should be at the top of your shopping list.
Many people associate them with a homeowner passing, but that’s not always the case.
Credit: Adam Albright
How do I find estate sales?
Both Cook and Blankenship recommend usingEstateSales.netto discover estate sales in your area.
type your zip code to find out about future sales happening in your neighborhood.
Credit: Nathan Schroder
It’s also important to note that many estate sales fall during the week.
“The majority of sales are posted on a Tuesday and occur on a Thursday,” Cook explains.
How do estate sales work?
Credit:Dana Gallagher
Once you’ve found an estate salee, it’s time to shop.
After doors open, buyers can walk through the home to see whats for sale and for how much.
It’s essentially onehuge garage sale, so it can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared.
“If you see an item you like, pick it up and carry it with you.
If its too large, get an employee to tag the item,” Blankenship says.
“You never know what youll find at anestate sale,” Cook says.
“I often pick up things like picture frames, flower vases, china, and crystal.”
“Think outside the box and go with an open mind,” Blankenship suggests.
But how do you know if you’re getting a good deal or spending money on junk?
“Pick up an item, inspect how it is made, and its condition,” she says.
“Look for manufacturing labels and feel the weight of the materials.
The supposed steal would have been a super-expensive indulgence, and I had to walk away.”
“Dont give up after your first visit to an estate sale,” says Cook.
“These sales are a treasure trove, but combing through the junk for gems takes time.”
