FAQs
Haggle, but don't be a jerk about it
It's their job to do the research and set the price of the items they're selling. Plus, they're in this to make money for their client too. So, yes, you can absolutely bargain with the seller.
What sells best at estate sales? ›
Best-Selling Items at An Estate Sale
- Art.
- Books.
- Furniture.
- Jewelry.
- Attend a Grasons Co Estae Sale Today.
What percentage do most estate sale companies take? ›
What Percentage Do Estate Sales Take? Estate sale companies generally charge a standard commission rate between 30 to 40 percent of sales. Before they agree to take on a client, they'll typically provide a gross sales minimum. This means that the total value of all the items to be sold must meet or exceed that value.
What day is best for an estate sale? ›
Hold Your Estate Sale on a Weekend Day.
When you're considering how to run an estate sale, your foremost goal is to draw prospective buyers — and the best way to do that is to host your estate sale on a weekend.
What is a watched list at an estate sale? ›
While our sales open at 9am, our customers sometimes arrive as early as 3am (or even the night before) to ensure they are first in line to get their most sought after item(s). This is where the watched list comes into play. The standard practice is that the first person to arrive is the person who starts the list.
Do estate sales accept credit cards? ›
Most estate sales will take cash and credit/debit cards. Some will also take checks. Recently I attended a local estate sale that didn't take any credit or debit cards, cash or check only.
How to spot valuable items at estate sales? ›
Evaluating Condition And Rarity
Condition and rarity greatly impact the value of estate sale treasures. Whether it's a vintage painting, a piece of antique jewelry, or a mid-century furniture set, the better the condition, the higher the value.
What season is best for estate sales? ›
Do you want to carry out your estate sale? Winter is a good season because of low competition and high probability of sales. Moreover, estate agents won't charge you a fortune.
How do you catalog items for an estate sale? ›
Catalogue each item – Make an itemized list of everything to be sold. Be thorough, keep it organized and include specifications. This document can be printed and used as a reference for you and any family members, or others that will have a financial stake in the estate sale.
What is the most common sale percentage? ›
However, many agree that 20%-30% is a typical range for sales representatives. Most companies pay a base rate (either by the hour or as an annual salary) in addition to the salesperson's earned commission. Commission rates go as low as 5%, though these companies typically offer significant base rates.
Fees tend to be between 0.9% and 3.6%. It's a good idea to ask exactly what the fee covers before signing a contract. Make sure to check any additional costs before deciding on an agent. Estate agent fees should only be paid when your sale is completed.
What percentage do most realtors take? ›
Of course, real estate commissions can be negotiated, and nowadays they typically run somewhere closer to 5 percent of a home's sale price. That means the means the more expensive the home, the more money the agents make.
What months do houses sell best? ›
Here's how each month of the year ranked for the best time to sell a house. The highest-earning months are, in ranking order, May, June, April and March. Just over 18 million purchase transactions took place during this period, according to ATTOM.
What is the slowest month for real estate sales? ›
The worst time to sell a house is typically during the winter months, particularly in December, January, and February. During this period, bad weather can deter potential buyers from attending open houses, and many people are preoccupied with holiday activities and planning.
At what month is most properties sold? ›
What time of year are most properties sold? The time of year when most properties are sold is autumn (March to May). There is a good balance of buyer demand and limited supply.
How do you negotiate with an estate agent? ›
When you are discussing fees, be firm, be open to discussion, and be polite. Ask your estate agent exactly what you get for those fees and stand your ground if you think the fees are too high. It's worth thinking about it like this – the fee structure is there as a first point for discussion.
How do you negotiate a real estate purchase? ›
If you're looking to buy a home, use these tips to put yourself in the best position to negotiate the price.
- Get an inspection ASAP. ...
- Ask the seller to pay closing costs. ...
- Offer earnest money. ...
- Add an escalation clause. ...
- Make a larger down payment. ...
- Write a house offer letter. ...
- Limit requests for contingencies. ...
- Be flexible on dates.
Should you always counter-offer real estate? ›
The major benefit of a counter-offer for buyers is the potential to secure the home for less money and on better terms. However, if you really want the house, it's not a great idea to go back and forth too many times with counter-offers.
How do you negotiate a real estate commission split? ›
Your commission split will be higher or lower depending on a few factors. In general, the longer you're in the business and the more closed deals you produce, the higher you can negotiate your commission split with your broker. Starting out, it's not uncommon for new agents to have a 50/50 or 60/40 split.