Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly is an Estate Sale?
A: An Estate Sale generally refers to the sale of personal property. It differs from a garage sale in that it usually involves the entire or partial contents of a household. Values are higher than items typically sold at a garage sale. An Estate Sale is held inside the home.
Q: Why should I have an Estate Sale?
A: Having an Estate Sale will dispose of personal property while bringing in more money than any other means of liquidation.
Q: Is an Estate Sale for me?
A: A courtesy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will determine if there is enough personal property to hold an Estate Sale. If an Estate Sale is not feasible, a buy-out is the next best thing. A buy-out is the purchase of all remaining household contents for a lower price and includes clearing out the residence. Selling on consignment is another option for some items.
Q: When are Estate Sales usually held?
A: An Estate Sale can be held for 2 to 4 days, including a weekend. Hours and number of days are determined by the amount of property to be sold.
Q: How much will it cost to have an Estate Sale?
A: There are no out of pocket costs. Betancourt Estate Services collects a commission based on the size and scope of the sale.
Q: How long does it take to prepare for an Estate Sale?
A: For an average-size sale, it takes approximately 10 days to prepare, hold the sale, and clear out the residence. Larger sales require more time. Preparation time includes sorting, researching, pricing, displaying, photographing, writing ads and placing advertising. Then the sale is held over a weekend with a day or two afterward to clear the residence.
Q: How is advertising handled?
A: We advertise primarily via the internet with an extensive description of the sale with photos. An email notification is sent to a large list of qualified buyers.
Q: What happens to items that don't sell?
A: At the completion of the sale, any remaining items are usually purchased by an "end-buyer" and/or donated. In the case of a donation, a receipt and a list of donated items will be provided for tax records.
Q: Do I need to be present during the sale?
A: You are welcome to visit, but we recommend that family members stay busy elsewhere. This can be a very emotional time, and it is less stressful to not be present.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: Payment is made within 7 days or less, depending on the size of the sale. You will receive a letter recapping the details of the sale, a list of items that sold for $50 or more and any other pertinent information.
Q: I want to have an Estate Sale! How do I prepare?
A: All you have to do is decide what you are taking out of the home. We will take care of everything else. Just open the kitchen cupboard or closet, remove what you want to keep, and then close the door. It's that simple!