It has been a little over a year since my husband and I started curating our home. I say “curating” instead of “decorating” because somehow “decorating” feels like going to one store, loading up a cart of things, and calling it a day. (And don’t get me wrong, that’s fine for some people, but we wanted a home that told a story – our story). And not only our story, but we were looking for one-of-a-kind pieces that could tell their own stories. That’s where estate sales come in. Keep reading for my tried and true estate sale tips.
What is an estate sale? Think of an estate sale as the elevated and older sibling to garage sales. Typically everything in the house (and sometimes the house itself) is for sale. While there is more sifting required for finding pieces at estate sales, you’re bound to find a better deal than your local antique shop which places a markup. Shopping estate sales were one of my favorite weekend activities long before I even had my own home to decorate. You never know when you might run into a unique coffee table book or vase or little tchotchke. However, when you finally do have your own space to decorate, estate sales open a whole door to so many unique pieces!
Estate Sale Tips #1: Visit Estate Sales.net
Over on Instagram, I’ve often shared elements of our design journey. One of the most frequently asked questions I get is “Where do I even find them??” The best place to find estate sales is on the site estatesales.net. While the site design is a little simple, it does do a good job of being clear and to the point. You can filter upcoming sales in your area, hours, dates, and what is for sale.
Notes:
- Some companies add sales weeks in advance and others add them pretty last minute. I usually check a few times a week to see what’s upcoming.
- Your area may or may not have estate sales. Living in San Diego, it is quite popular. However, when I lived in Northern California there were few and far between!
Estate Sale Tips #2: Always Negotiate
In all my years of shopping estate sales, there has only ever been one sale that explicitly said there were no negotiations. Typically, however, the price is always negotiable and it doesn’t hurt to ask. The worst they can say is no.
Estate Sale Tips #3: Best Deals are on the Last Day
Speaking of negotiations, the absolute best deals are on the last day of the sale. Unlike an antique store that can hold the inventory, many estate sales need to be cleaned out by the end of the last day. I’ve gotten some crazy deals in the last hour of the last day of a sale.
That being said: your strategy should really depend on what your goals are. If you’re actively looking for specific items for your home (for example spotting a table that would be perfect) you should aim to go on the first day at the beginning of the sale to snag your item. The last day has the least amount of stuff but also the best deals! I opt to visit the last day when I’m not really on the hunt for anything.
Estate Sale Tips #4: Cash is King
[The coffee table, lamp, and side table were all estate sale finds]
I should first note that every sale is different. Some are cash only, some accept Venmo and others even accept credit cards (for a fee). I never visit a sale without a few hundred dollars in cash. You can often get a better deal this way and it gives you negotiating power!
Thanks for reading along with my tried and true tips! For more home inspiration:
How I Styled My Eclectic Mediterranean Home Office
