What does an estate liquidation entail?
In our case, most estate liquidations include our coming into your home and accessing the project. After you hire us we sort, clean, organize, research, price, market, and sell your collection and furnishings from your home. At the end of the estate sale we will haul off or remove any items that did not sell if you so specify. We even clean the house, garage, and yard for you if you chose so that you can market the house and not have to worry about any more work on your end.
How do I know if I need to have an estate sale?
When your home or the home of your loved one has enough items in it to house a small apartment or home, you have enough. We need to have a full or nearly full home to have a sale in order to bring in lots of clients to give you the best price on your more expensive and collectible pieces. If you have only a few things, consignment or a buyout might be more up your alley.
How do I choose an estate liquidator to help me?
When you interview different people to give your sale, try to keep in mind these people will be handling your family heirlooms. If you feel you can trust them alone in your house and that you can communicate openly with them about your wishes, you are probably safe to hire them. Do check for license and or references prior to choosing as many have just started out and may be hard to track down for payment. You will know when you have met the right ‘fit’ for your sale.
What do I need to do to prepare for an estate sale?
When you hire our company, nothing. All we ask is that you don’t throw anything at all away and let us do the dirty work.
How long will it take to give an estate sale?
With Jennie Krausse Estate Liquidation, it normally takes a full seven days from start to finish to sort, clean, tag, stage, price, market, and sell all items. This also includes a complete house clean out should you specify these are your wishes.
How will I know what sold and for how much?
Our company gives you a complete inventory of the sale and items gone at the end of the liquidation. This is typed and easy to read; if you have any questions please feel free to call.
What am I responsible for during the sale work wise?
In most cases, absolutely nothing. It is nice if you give us a contact phone number so that we can call you from time to time to check on any issues that do come up like, “Should we sell a coin collection that we found or would you care to keep it.”
What happens if my Mother or family has hidden money inside the house and it is found by the liquidator? Photos? Love letters? Personal papers?
We cannot answer for other liquidators but in our case, we simply set these things aside, along with anything else that seems too personal to sell without permission, and have the family come and retrieve it or we will mail it to you upon request.
Who pays the sales tax from the purchases made by the general public who do not hold re-sale numbers?
We do, off of the entire sale, not just our end.
Should I donate the general household items and or throw away the junk in the garage etc. before I have a liquidator in?
Some of the biggest mistakes my clients have made is to dispose of ANYTHING at all prior to hiring and using a liquidator. We can and do sell nearly all that you have, no matter how bad it looks to you. Please do us both a favor and leave every single thing in the house, garage, and yard until after we give the sale for you. Please.
How do you appraise art?
We can appraise certain art and do so by researching it. When I feel at a loss for knowledge or we need someone more well versed on the art you have, I hire a local appraiser we trust that charges $100 per hour (same as my appraisal fees) and we split the cost.
How do you spot fake art?
That would depend on the piece but there are many ways; age is one. You would need to be in the business for a very long time to know all of the ways. There is also the feel that would tip you off. One thing is for certain, some fakes fool even the best appraisers and inspectors as there are great artists that are well trained at forgeries.
How do you evaluate appraisals on items that have already been done, i.e. furs or jewelry?
Normally a percentage of set value. I don’t remember ever getting full value on a fur or clothing item but many times have gotten more on jewelry or pottery. It would depend on the age of the appraisal and who did the appraisal.
How does the liquidator get paid from my sale?
Our company works on a commission from the net proceeds of the estate sale itself. You do not pay us out of pocket ever.
What if I decide I want to keep something out of the sale?
Simply ask. We comply.
What if I should decide that I want to cancel the sale after this company has worked on it for awhile? What happens?
We would charge you for our time worked and the money spent on advertising. This is not preferred but we understand when people change their minds and hearts.
How may I contact Jennie Krausse estate liquidation to meet and or get a contract sent to me?
You may e-mail Jennie or call her at (916) 397-6504