A Guide to Estate Sales and Storage Units
When someone passes away, family members may hold estate sales to sell items and clear out properties like homes or other storage units. If you rent a storage unit, then you have the opportunity to find bargains at estate sales and make the most out of the discounted prices.
Instead of just going to these estate sales without a plan, you can follow this guide to make the most out of your trips and take advantage of the storage unit space that you have. Learn more and know what to look for when you shop at estate sales.
Estate Sale Furniture & Fixtures
Along with all of the items from the home, many estate sales will sell the fixtures and furniture from the home. The ultimate goal is to clear out the house to eventually sell the property or to raise funds for different services needed. The furniture and fixtures will often have heavy discounts and could provide an easy way to keep your storage unit organized.
As you browse an estate sale for furniture, seek out shelving units, cubby displays, or large tables that could hold your stuff. Instead of keeping items in boxes or totes, you can use the fixtures to keep items within easy reach.
In some cases, you may find glass display cases. These display cases will offer clear visuals of your storage items while keeping them protected from dust and debris as well.
Before you shop the sale, know the exact size of your storage unit. Bring a tape measure with you to the estate sale so you can have a good idea of what fixtures will fit comfortably inside the unit. You don’t want to purchase too many pieces and overcrowd the unit.
Estate Sale Galleries
Before you go to an estate sale, you may have an opportunity to see exactly what’s on sale at the event. Many estate sales will feature a gallery or full product listing online. With this listing, you can determine what items you want to seek out and properly budget for your storage unit.
You can also use the online gallery to plan what kind of transportation you may need for the sale. For example, you may want to bring a large truck to the estate sale to help take home some furniture pieces.
If there are specific pieces you want, you will know what to go after first and make a priority. With an online listing, you could stock up on items that will stay in your storage unit until you need them. Examples include pieces of art, other decor, or holiday decorations that you may only pull out for certain times of the year.
Some of the galleries may separate items by category so you know exactly what to look for and do not miss out on anything when you explore the estate sale in person.
Items That Retain or Grow in Value
Some items you purchase will not be for your own use. You may find items that you could sell in the future for a profit. Browse through estate sales to see what items will retain their value or could grow in value in the future.
For example, if the sale features luggage or name-brand purses, then you could purchase those items at a discount and then sell them for more in the future. The items you choose will depend on the sale. Research online to see what items are worth purchasing and keeping in your unit for extended periods of time.
For example, mint condition toys or toys still in their package could end up selling for a lot more in the future. Use online auction websites to see the average resale value of specific toys. Other collectibles to consider may include trading cards, comic books, or vintage movie posters.
Sale Schedules and Patience
When an estate starts, the prices may seem higher than you want to pay. While the prices may seem tempting at first, you may want to wait out the sale a little bit and get the most value for your purchase.
For example, an estate sale may last for a couple of days. On the second day, you can see if items are marked down cheaper. This will help you save money on purchases and allow you to gather items for your storage unit. For example, you may have a storage rack that doesn’t sell on the first day. On the second day, you could make an offer on the piece to get it cheaper.
On the final day of a sale, you could load up on savings and have a storage unit ready to fill with items that you purchase and collect.
Plan out your purchases and keep them protected with a storage unit from us at North Star Mini Storage. We offer a wide range of sizes, and the money you save on purchases can help offset the rental prices for a storage unit. Contact us today to find out more information on our unit rentals.
