Handling Personal Belongings
 

Personal belongings often hold deep sentimental value, especially in the early stages after losing a loved one. These items serve as powerful reminders of the memories and connections we shared, making it difficult to even consider letting them go. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed by this part of the process.

As someone who serves the estate with care and respect, my priority is ensuring that families have all the time they need to gather and keep the items that matter most—both emotionally and financially. Even after this initial process, I often come across items that I believe the family may want to keep, and I always set them aside for consideration. Without exception, I have seen my clients come to their own personal breakthroughs in their own time, making peace with letting go when they are truly ready.

What Comes Next?
 

Once the time comes to move forward, where do we start? The reality is that much of what remains are everyday items that most of us already have in our own homes. At this stage, there are a few options for handling the remaining belongings:

 

- Donate

- Estate Sale

- Sell as One Lot

- Junk Removal

 

Whatever path is chosen, I take full responsibility for ensuring it is carried out smoothly for my clients. One piece of advice I always offer is to avoid getting too caught up in the value of every individual item. The true value of the estate lies in the home itself, and our focus should be on preparing it for market as efficiently as possible.

Is an Estate Sale the Best Choice?
 

I have organized many estate sales, and while they can generate revenue—typically between $4,000 and $7,000 for everyday household items—there are significant costs and challenges to consider. An estate sale requires extensive time and effort, including:

 

- Sorting, organizing, and pricing every item

- Hosting sales over two full weekends (often six days in total)

- Handling unsold items afterward

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Additionally, household bills continue to add up while the process unfolds. Mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and maintenance costs don’t pause, and estate sale companies often take 30% to 40% of the proceeds, plus setup fees.

For these reasons, I strongly believe that in most cases—except when dealing with rare or high-value collections—selling everything as one lot is the most efficient and beneficial approach. When factoring in labor, expenses, and time lost, the return on an estate sale often doesn’t justify the effort. The sooner we can shift our attention to the home itself, the better.

Selling Vehicles and Larger Items
 

For personal property such as cars, boats, or tractors, I take care of every step:

 

- Detailing and tuning up the vehicle to maximize value

- Advertising and managing all inquiries

- Scheduling showings and test drives

- Completing the bill of sale and title transfer

Here to Help
 

If you have any questions about this process—whether you're a client or just seeking guidance—please don’t hesitate to give me a call. I’m always happy to discuss details, offer resources, and help in any way I can.