Updated 10/27/26
An estate sale is worth it when the home contains items of real value (antiques, jewelry, collectibles, quality furniture) and you have 4-8 weeks to complete the sale. If the contents are mostly ordinary household goods, or you need to sell quickly, an estate sale may not be your best option. In my experience the commission (typically 50-70% through an estate sale company), carrying costs and effort often outweigh the profit.
This is what you might make in an estate sale if you have items of value:
| Scenario | Gross Sales | Company cut (60% | Net to you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modest household | $5,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Some antiques/collectibles | $15,000 | $9,000 | $6,000 |
This is what it might cost you to keep the house for eight weeks in the Salt Lake City area with a $500,000 house:
| Utilities | Insurance | Taxes | Lawn Care | Mortgage PMT | Repairs | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $474 | $130 | $582 | $230 | $5400 | $250 | $7066 |
If you’ve inherited a house from a parent or older relative who has left you their entire estate, then you know how daunting it can be to clean out the home and prepare it for sale. Over time all the years and years worth of furniture, appliances, mementos and even junk, pile up and you may need help to clear the clutter so you can sell the house and move on. So what is the best way to go about it? Should you do an estate sale? Are there other options? Here are the pros and cons to doing an estate house sale in Utah.
What is an Estate Sale?
Just to be clear, an estate sale is not a fancy yard sale. With a yard sale or garage sale you are clearing out all the unwanted stuff in your house, with an estate house sale you are selling literally everything in the home. Everything you see will have a price tag down to the pieces of silverware and including the large pieces of furniture like a piano.
Once the court says you are the personal representative, Utah probate law allows you to clear out the contents of the house or hold an estate sale. The personal representative is the only person with the authority to hold an estate sale. A personal representative is acting as a fiduciary. This means the contents of the home must be treated in a manor that is in the best interest of the estate. The personal representative is responsible for taking an inventory of the household items and having them appraised. However, if all of the heirs agree, the personal representative can handle the items in the home in the manor all the heirs agree to.
If the house and the home contents are owned by a Trust, the successor trustee can go through the same process as the personal representative. Please contact an attorney for legal advice.
Pros of Having a Estate Sale: What You Gain
- The biggest pro to undertaking an estate sale in Utah is that you can efficiently sell everything in the home on one big sale day.
- You could choose to donate all the items, but by selling them instead, you can make a tidy profit.
- Estate sales often draw a crowd. If you have advertised properly, or worked with an estate sale company to advertise, then people are likely to show up and be ready to buy.
- With an estate sale you can bring in an appraiser to walk through the home first. A hired appraiser can give you an idea of what amount to charge and point out any items that may be worth more than you initially realized.
- If you choose to do an estate sale you could hire a company to take care of all of the work for you.
- An estate sale allows you to quickly clear the home and prepare it for sale, which means less time paying to maintain the property.
Cons of Having a House Estate Sale
- Estate sale companies charge a lot of commission. In my experience, the commission is 50-70%.
- It can be hard to watch other people go through your loved one’s belongings.
- Time is money and the extra time involved in hosting an estate sale may not be worth the money payout in the end.
- Not everything will sell at an estate sale so you’ll still find yourself with many items (maybe a lot of items) that need hauling to the local thrift store.
- If you go with an estate sale company they will do all the work and you will be paying for that.
- What an item is priced at online will not translate to what you can charge at an estate sale. People come expecting good deals.
- Though an estate sale is often a one day or two-day event, the entire process can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks. During a busy season it could take even longer.
Is an Estate Sale Worth It? A Quick Decision Checklist
When an Estate Sale Is Usually Worth It
- The home has items of real value. Antiques, jewelry, fine art, vintage furniture, collectibles, sterling silver, and quality tools can bring meaningful money, often enough to offset the company’s commission.
- The contents total roughly $5,000 or more at estate sale prices. Below that, a 50-70% commission and weeks of effort leave little to net.
- You have 4-8 weeks before the house needs to be sold. An estate sale is a poor fit when a deadline is close.
- Carrying costs are low. If the home is paid off and utilities, insurance, and taxes run only a few hundred dollars a month, waiting costs little.
- You want to maximize proceeds more than speed. Family members who don’t need the money right away can afford to be patient.
- You can hire a reputable company or have time to run the sale yourself. Either way, someone has to price, advertise, and manage the event.
When an Estate Sale Is Usually Not Worth It
- Most items are ordinary household goods. Used furniture, dishes, and clothing typically sell for pennies on the dollar.
- You’re facing a deadline. Probate timelines, a foreclosure, or a pending closing leave no room for a 4-8 week process.
- You’re paying to maintain a vacant house. Every month of mortgage, utilities, insurance, and property taxes eats into the profit. At $3,533 a month, a two-month delay costs $7,066.
- You live out of state or can’t manage the logistics. Coordinating a sale remotely is difficult, and a company’s commission may take most of the value.
- The house needs cleanout and repairs before it can sell. The estate sale only covers the contents, so you still have the house to deal with afterward.
- The emotional toll is too high. It’s reasonable to decide that your peace of mind matters more than a few thousand dollars.
Quick Scoring
Count how many “worth it” statements describe your situation:
| Statements that fit | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 5-6 | An estate sale is likely worth it. Get quotes from two or three companies. |
| 3-4 | Borderline. Get an appraisal of the valuable items and compare the net to your alternatives. |
| 0-2 | Consider donating, a cleanout service, or selling the house with its contents as-is. |
The Bottom line is if the contents are valuable and time is on your side, an estate sale can put real money in your pocket. If the contents are mostly everyday items, or you need to sell quickly, a faster option often nets you the same or more once you count commission, carrying costs, and effort. If you’d rather skip the process entirely, we buy houses with the contents included, so there’s nothing to sort, price, or haul.
Mistakes to Avoid
Estate sales can be an effective way to liquidate a loved one’s belongings, but their success largely depends on proper planning and execution. To determine if an estate sale is worth it for your situation, consider the potential value of the items, and the time and effort required.
One common mistake is underpricing valuable items. To avoid this, consider getting professional appraisals for potentially high-value pieces. This ensures you don’t inadvertently sell rare or collectible items for less than their market worth.
Another pitfall is overpricing, which can lead to unsold inventory. Remember, estate sale prices typically decrease over time, so starting with realistic prices is crucial. Be prepared for negotiation, as many attendees expect some flexibility in pricing.
Proper organization and presentation are key to a successful estate sale. Thoroughly inspect and clean items before displaying them, and group similar objects together for easy browsing. Don’t overlook less obvious areas like basements or garages, as these can often hide valuable treasures.
Be mindful of estate sale etiquette. Avoid giving preferential treatment to friends or family, as this can create tension and potentially reduce overall profits. Also, maintain transparency in your pricing and selling practices to build trust with buyers.
Finally, consider the pros and cons of hiring a professional estate sale company. While they take a commission, their expertise can often lead to higher overall profits and a smoother selling process. However, if you choose to manage the sale yourself, be prepared for the time and effort required to price, organize, and oversee the event.
By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing strategic planning, you can increase the likelihood of a successful and profitable estate sale, turning a potentially overwhelming task into a rewarding experience.
How to Choose an Estate Sale Company.
Finding a list of estate sale companies is easy. You can Google, “estate sale companies in Utah” and get a list of several companies. Websites like EstateSales.org will give you a list of companies in your area, but you will have to sign up on their site. And professional groups like the American Society of Estate Liquidators can help you find companies that they have vetted. You can also ask local real estate agents or estate planning attorneys to refer a company. Pick two or three companies for further investigation. Checking online reviews can help narrow down who you want to investigate further.
Once you have picked a few estate sale companies, you can interview them with questions like:
- What is your fee structure?
- How do you market the sale?
- Are the people conducting the sale in my house permanent long-term employees?
- What happens with the items that do not sell?
You can ask each company for two or three referrals. Call these people and ask them questions like:
- How well did the company communicate with you?
- Did the company do what they said they would do?
- Did the company complete tasks on time?
- Were the people you worked with friendly?
- Ask to visit a live sale to see how they operate.
Avoid the following when researching estate sale companies:
- The company should never throw items away until you have done a walkthrough.
- The company or company employees should not be able to buy items.
- Never pay an upfront fee. These companies work off commission.
- Insist on easy-to-understand and straight-forward contracts.
Following these suggestions should enable you to find a fantastic estate sale company.
Can I sell the House (and Belongings) without Having an Estate Sale?
If you don’t have the time, money or interest in going through the estate sale process then you can consider selling your home to an investor who will buy the house and all of its contents.
Gary at Gary Buys Houses will buy a house and clear the items, taking the time to donate all the useful items so nothing valuable will go to waste. Gary will make sure the items go to a donation where they can help people in need and simultaneously relieve you of the need of unloading a lot of stuff and cleaning and preparing a home for sale.
Contact Gary if you are interested in a quick and simple home sale today.