ESTATE SALE SERVICE QUESTIONS
Q: What services do you provide?
A: Found Stuff handles your sale from the beginning to end. Preparation includes sorting, pricing, merchandising, advertising, staffing and conducting the sale.
Q: Why do I need an Estate Sale Service?
A: Handling a loved one's estate or needing to liquidate your own personal assets can be a difficult and emotional task. Our priority is to liquidate household contents as quickly and efficiently as possible. When pricing, we consider all markets and other important factors to ensure optimal outcome for you. Benefits of a professional sale include targeted advertising, signage, crowd control, staffing, security and having a qualified, certified appraiser with years of experience in the marketplace.
Q: Who needs an Estate Sale Service?
A: Individuals moving into a retirement or nursing home, estate executors, as well as those moving out of state or into a smaller residence need professional assistance with their estates. We are also qualified to conduct Business Estate Sales for companies looking to liquidate their stores, hotels, warehouses or offices.
Q: How large does my Estate have to be?
A: In order for Found Stuff to be able to book an estate/moving sale, we typically need to determine that there is a minimum of $4,000 in saleable items. We are very flexible and fair, and have made occasional exceptions. You do not need to have a houseful of antiques in order for us to conduct a sale. In past cases where there was not enough in an individual household, we simply combined several estates into a single successful sale. Many of our customers are seeking items they can use in their everyday life.
Q: Do you sell everything?
A: Although no Estate Sale service can claim to sell 100% of the household, we typically sell between 80 - 95% of the items. Items of value that do not sell can be placed on consignment for one of our antique shows or our online auctions. Additionally, we can arrange to have remaining items picked up by a local charity for a tax deduction.
APPRAISAL QUESTIONS
Q: When do you need an appraiser?
A: You may need a professional valuation of your personal property during estate planning or divorce negotiations to determine a fair distribution of assets. If you're donating individual items or a collection worth more than $5,000 to a nonprofit organization, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) will require a "gift appraisal". You will require an appraisal for items on a rider to your insurance policy to keep the claims adjuster happy in case of natural disaster, theft, etc. and of course there is always just the plain old "what is it worth?"
Q: Are all appraisals the same?
A: No. There are many different functions and purposed for appraisal reports. For example, an appraisal for insurance coverage has a different "intended use" that an appraisal for resale so values are determined in different manners.
Q: How do I hire an appraiser?
A: Unlike real estate appraisers, personal property appraisers do not have to be licensed or hold any type of certification to do business. Because just about anyone can call himself or herself an appraiser, the responsibility is yours to make sure you're hiring someone who is educated, experienced and ethical. Before you let your fingers do the walking through a phone book consider asking someone like a friend, your insurance agent or an attorney for a referral. Easier still is going on line to a major appraiser association like the Certified Appraisers Guild of America which has certified members in all 50 states.
Q: What should I expect with my appraisal?
A: For your money, you should receive a written report with enough copies for all intended users that includes, among other information, the intended use of the appraisal, photos, a full description of the item(s) appraised, an explanation of how value was determined, a sworn statement of objectivity and a firm value of the item(s).
Q: Why should I hire you?
A: As a certified appraiser who has been actively buying and selling for over 20 years in the marketplace, I have experience that many other appraisers do not. My hands-on experience is infinitely more valuable than relying on auction records or price guides alone.