Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below for more information.

What is an Estate Sale?

An Estate Sale is a way of liquidating the belongings of an estate. There are various reasons why a full liquidation of household goods might be necessary:

The surviving family of one who has passed on needs the contents of the house liquidated before the sale of the home.
The occupant is downsizing or moving into a retirement community.
Baby-boomers are choosing to travel when retirement comes instead of keeping a large home or store its contents.
Two people, each owning a home, decide to marry and find that they have too many possessions for a single home.
Divorces, financial issues, and many other circumstances may occur and create a need for liquidation of a large amount of their personal property.

How does an Estate Sale Work? *Versus an auction.

There is a ‘Tag Price’ on every item, meaning that each item in the sale has been priced and the ‘tag’ shows the price.

The sale is heavily advertised and lasts for three (3) days.

The public is invited into the home and is allowed to shop as if the home were a retail store.

Assistants are available to help with purchases, and a cashier is stationed at the exit to check out customers.

At an auction there is a price you would like to have for an item but unless there is someone there who wants to bid up to what you would like to have, then the item will probably sell for a lot less.

Remember, it takes two people wanting the same thing, and it only has one chance to sell that time, versus 3 days at a tag sale.

Reasons you should consider using a professional estate liquidator

There are many reasons to need the help of a professional estate liquidator. Note the following:

It usually takes two – three (2-3) weeks to clean, sort, and accurately price and display the contents of a home. Families frequently find this to be an overwhelming task if they are trying to do this on their own.
Professional liquidators have the expertise to price items accurately and dispassionately provide the highest possible return.
You will not have the worry of displaying your items as we furnish tables, table covers, and anything necessary to display your merchandise properly. We as professionals provide all materials needed.
An estate sale, just like in a retail store, has a highly skilled team of sales people to operate successfully.
When we finish, each room will be broom swept or vacuumed as the final step before we depart your home.

What about pricing items and advertising the sale?

Best Estate Sales in Tennessee will price and organize each piece, to showcase that item, so it will bring the best possible price. Any input you, the client, have regarding the value of any item, will certainly be considered.

Your estate sale will be advertised by us, at no cost to you, on local Estate Sale websites, (including posting an unlimited number of pictures) as well as in local newspapers.

There will also be attractive recognizable street signs on the day of the sale.

Do I need to throw anything away?

We ask that clients DO NOT throw away anything as we will go through everything and discard anything that might be broken or soiled.

We literally sell everything, from can goods to nuts & bolts.

If something needs batteries to operate we furnish those also.

We totally work for you to insure that you have the best possible sale.

*NOTE: Please remove any personal items. ie: pictures, medications etc.

Do we need a permit for the sale?

Best Estate Sales in Tennesse also pays, at no cost to you, for any and all city permits that pertain to your sale.

What about left over items that do not sell?

Our #1 goal at Best Estate Sales in Tennessee is to sell every item at the maximum price that each item will bring.

‘Best Estate Sales in Tn. is responsible for liqidating items left at the end of the sale, therefore the owner WILL NOT retain items not sold during the sale.

Do I need to sign a contract with B.E.S.T?

Once we have come out to assess the sale, and have made a verbal agreement, a contract will be drawn up and signed by Best Estate Sales in Tennessee and the appropriate individuals involved with the sale.

We will thoroughly go over the contract with you.

What can I expect in terms of cost?

Typically we charge the industry standard of 35% comission on sales, however each sale commission can vary depending on the individuality of the sale.

To find out more, contact us.

Where does B.E.S.T have estate sales?

Best Estate Sales in Tennessee serves the Bradley, Hamilton, and McMinn counties.