What can I do to expedite my mother's estate liquidation?

Question

My mother passed away last year and I inherited everything in her 10-room home. She was a collector - big time. I attempted to contact antique dealers and estate liquidators, but nobody was interested. It seems the antique market is flooded right now and no one is taking on any new consignments. I've been attempting to sell the house contents by staging a private estate/lawn sale on weekends, but it's just too much work for me. I also discovered that people won't look through boxes - they want it out on display, so this makes a lot of extra work for me. Yesterday it took me two and a half hours to pack it up. Today I can hardly walk after the exertion of carrying packing up dishes, glassware and carrying tables and pallets around. Added to the fact that most people that come don't buy the large, expensive items, so I'm left with them to lug in and out. I don't want to give the stuff away - it must have some value. I could use the money! What is the best way for me to proceed?

I inherited all mom's stuff because I'm an only child. Therefore there are no siblings to help take it off my hands. It's not like I want to sell the stuff, but a 10-room Victorian house is just too big for me alone. If I want to downsize to a smaller home or even an apartment, I'd have to lessen the load anyway. And the realtor I'm dealing with also said that she wants the house cleaned out befor she shows it.

Answer 1

First of all, larmarine83, is clueless. I guess he thinks you should set up a permanent museum of your mothers home and it's contents.

Yeah, not wanting to take care of two homes and their contents (yours and your late mother's) for the rest of your life automatically makes you "greedy" according to larmarine83. (Yeah Right!)

So accept my apologies for the rude answer larmarine83 gave you. I don't think larmarine83 has ever been in a situation like that. An estate is SUPPOSED to be liquidated, apparently larmarine83 missed that point of logic.

I think the auction and consignment shops are your best bet for the larger and more valuable items. You could also try running newspaper ads separate from the estate sale ad for some specific items, like a living room set for example.

If you have stuff (misc household junk) that isn't worth much you could always give it away if all attempts to sell it fail. You could always www.freecycle.org (give away, having people pick it up) or give to Goodwill and use it as a tax deduction for your Mother's estate. Or give it away to a local charity, family or friends.

Answer 2

First of all, you have my deepest sympathy in your loss, and I applaud you for being able to find the strength to even being to deal with the belongings.

My father passed away last year; he and my mother have a large home as well, plus a 1500 sq ft storage barn on the property...and both are packed to the brim, and Mother keeps buying more knick knacks and things all the time. They had both inherited quite a number of items, and had served as executor of several relatives estates...and have kept just about everything they ever owned - Mother even has clothes from when she was in high school, more than 50 years ago.

If you are planning to continue ownership of the home, perhaps you have already selected a few choice items to keep...and have you asked other family members if there are items they would like? Some might even be willing to pay a token amount for a high end item (but it would be tacky to ask). BTW, I'm an only child too, but I have two children (grown) of my own, plus a handful of cousins with whom I would gladly share family heirlooms.

If you can, I would try setting up an estate sale INDOORS for your next go around (if you're up for one). People can get a much better feel for furnishings, in particular, when they can see them in a room, and are more likely to buy (and at a better price). Also, you don't have to worry about the weather being too hot, too wet, too cold, etc. You might even want to hire someone to come in and run the sale for you, for a commission (after all, some return is better than none, and experienced estate sales people know the value of items better than the average person, plus they know the "crowd" that goes to estate sales and what they are likely to be interested in and what they will spend).

Finally, you might try selling just a few items at a time through an online auction (or see if there is a commission based auction service, online or otherwise, in your area).

Best of luck...and try not to let this happen to your children!

Answer 3

I am sure your Mom would have wanted you to benefit from her collections. If you live within 90 miles of New York City we handle estate liquidation and never say no http://www.maryantiques.com
If not I am sure there is a local service similar to what we offer, search , search, search....
As other suggested, you might try a local auction house, they will auction entire house contents or entire collections. They will usually come to the house and evalulate it, no lugging... they take a commission, well worth it --they publicize your items and I agree, since their commission is based on the sale of your item, they work to sell it. Of course, if your items do not sell, you do have to bring them home yourself, but most will sell! try http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/auctionview.cgi?lid=246679 they list local auctions.
Antique dealers will most likely offer you 30% or less of the items value.
You might try consigning at local shops too.
Hope I've helped!
ASK maryantiques.com GET maryanswers.

http://www.maryantiques.com

Answer 4

Personally, I think its pathetic that after your mother passed away, all you could think to do is sell off the things she spent a lifetime collecting so you can get a little cash. Stop whining and complaining so much about "OH, my back hurts" and "OH, I don't know what a good day's work really is" You are a materialistic person who has no concern for the vale those thing do and will have to your family, and I think it was a mistake on your mother's part to leave you anything judging by the way you are handling the items left to you.

Answer 5

You may want to try an auction. Find an auctioneer that deals in collectables so they have a following. Since they get most of their profit from the amount goods are sold for, they will try to get the best prices. They also do all the advertising.