Tips for finding estate sales and auctions. You guys have seen a few of the things I buy at estate sales and auctions. I get some good deals. A lot of you comment that you can’t find good shopping spots in your area. That’s sad.
Maybe I can help with some resources you may not know about. This information doesn’t include garage and yard sale sources. I figure you’re up on that.
Tips For Finding Estate Sales And Auctions
I bought the pretty little nosegays (or posies) at an estate sale when we were in Florida last month taking care of our grandson. The nosegays were only $2 each. That’s a steal. Look at those pretty flowers, they look real. Now I just have to find vases or plant containers for them. I tried out a few things I had in the shop but nothing worked. I saw a bouquet of flowers similar to the size and style of these on TV the other day and they were in short square containers. I’m on the hunt!
I bought this antique wood wrench holder box at another estate sale in Florida. It was $1. I need to clean it up. There was a bit of wood missing on the bottom edge but for a buck I can live with that.
1. Search Estate Sales Online
I found the estate sales in Florida on EstateSales.net. I use this site to search sales near our home too. All you do is put your zip code in the box and a list of cities in your state will come up. Just click on the one nearest you and hope for good results! The estate sales are held in the home of the person downsizing or moving or whatever. There will be photos of some of the items for sale under the individual listings.
For the most part the estate sales listed on this site are run by professional estate sale companies. They go in to the home and price everything. Usually the first day everything is full price, the second day (or third day depending on length of sale) everything is 50% off. This is what I’ve found. It may not be true for every sale.
Craigslist is another online source for finding estate sales, auctions, yard sales, and freebies. Check your local listings for upcoming sales.
Garagesalefinder is another great online resource. Just type in your zip code and find estate sales, garage sales, etc. in your area.
I’ve visited enough estate sales in my area to know some estate sale companies price things reasonably and some are a bit high. There is a learning curve to these sales. Also (sorry, I keep thinking of new stuff) if the estate sale starts at 9 a.m. there will be a line of people at the door waiting to get in at 8:45 or earlier.
The plastic coated wire tray and the steel casters came from the same estate sale as the nosegays posies (sounds so much better). The casters were $15 for all four and the basket was $4. I plan to spray paint the basket to look like metal. Hope it works.
Estate Sale Listings From Facebook Search
2. Find Estate Sales And Auctions On Facebook
Another place to find estate sales is on Facebook. Just type estate sales and your city or nearby city in the Facebook search box and see what comes up. The above screenshot shows the listings that came up when I searched for “estates sales Nashville”. I like Michael Taylor Estate Sales. His prices are very reasonable.
You can also find auction houses on Facebook. My friend Greg has a weekly auction and the Facebook page is Red River Auctions. The auctions are live and online. You can live in another state but still bid and have your items shipped straight to you.
estate sale mirror
Estate Sale Mirror
3. Search Newspaper Ads For Estate Sales And Auctions
I bought the antique mirror at an estate sale several years ago. This estate sale was listed in the local newspaper and was being handled by the family, not a specialty company. Family ran estate sales are tricky. Usually the reason for the sale is the death of the homeowner. The relatives handling the sale may not have a clue about pricing and the prices will be way too high or way too low. When the prices are really low it makes me sad. The relative didn’t do their homework or either they didn’t care.
4. Look For Local Advertising Circulars
We also have a advertising paper that comes out weekly and has lists of estate sales and auctions. The paper is free and can be found in stands at the drugstore, local restaurants, etc. Maybe your area has something similar. Local antique shops and flea markets are a good source for estate or auction listings too. They often have flyers on upcoming sales that people have dropped off.
I bought the blue metal cabinet at an auction while in Arkansas several months ago. The cabinet is still sitting under my Dad’s shed. I need to get it home.
Find Auction Listings
5. Search Auction Zip
AuctionZip.com is a great online site for finding auction listings in your area. Just type in your zip code and select the mile range in the search boxes and see what comes up. You can also filter by categories. This site will have a big list of online only auctions along with local live auctions. You don’t have to be present to bid on and buy items from the online auctions. This is great for small items but watch what you’re buying because those shipping fees can add up. Most of the listings on AuctionZip will also have photos of the items for sale.
Furniture bought from online auction
When we lived in Florida there was a great auction we went to several times a month. Sadly it isn’t open anymore. We do go to a weekly auction here in Clarksville on Thursday night and the JTS and a friend go to Saturday auctions all the time. I can’t take the Saturday auctions. Spending all day at an auction is not my thing.
When I looked at the auction listings over the weekend I found an auction house we haven’t been to before. We made the hour long trip Monday night but didn’t buy a thing.
This place had really good prices but the items Monday night were vintage toys and things we really weren’t interested in ……….or maybe interested in but sure didn’t need. The site had photos of the items so we knew what would be there. Just checking it out plus we weren’t doing anything else Monday night.
6. Storage Units
There are several websites with listings of storage unit sales but I found most of them to be rather useless. The CubeSmart storage auction listings though were right on the money. They actually have the sales listed by state. When you click a state listing it takes you to the StorageTreasure website with all of the storage listings but I tried going directly to the Storage Treasure website and clicking in the state and came up with no listings. So start with the CubeSmart website first. You can find listings for online storage unit auctions and in person live auctions also.
I bought the cobalt blue oil lamp base at a local auction a month or so ago. We had to glue the top round part of the lamp base to the bottom. I knew it was broken when I bought it but who could pass it up. If the piece didn’t have any flaws it would sell for $100+. I paid $17.50 for it and another piece.
That’s all I’ve got. I hope this information helps you guys. Have you used any of these sources or know of sources you could share with us? If I run across new places or if I’ve forgotten anything I’ll update this post. Thanks for being here, Kathy
Naomi Shelton
Thanks for all the good information, Kathy. Especially the on-line sites. Your list makes it convenient to check them out.
Rebecca
Hi Kathy. Have you tried GarageSaleFinder.com?
It’s a great resource here in the Chicago burbs.
Rebecca
Mandy
Another place for bargains can be a storage unit. Since you can’t Really see everything you are really taking a chance.
Kathy Owen
Yes, great tip. Thank you
Ivory
Excellent post, thank you. My husband and I love going to estate sales. The person in charge of the estates sale we attend, send out emails to everyone of upcoming estate sales she will be hoisting. On the last day, everything is 50% off. For the most part, even on day one, prices not bad. The areas the estate sales she host is Indiana and Illinois . She is greeeeat!
Naomi S.
Great information, Kathy. Thanks for your time spent researching. I don't really like auctions. Bidding makes me nervous, I guess! I do enjoy estate sales, though, where you can just wander around at your leisure. I haven't been to one in a long time, though, as I don't have a care at my disposal unless my daughter isn't using hers. Maybe I'll make more of an effort this next summer. I have a friend who likes thrifting. She has a car and might be up for it some day.
Thanks again for this post.
Kathy Owen
Yes, I agree Naomi. The estate sales are much more relaxing. I hope you get to go to some this Summer. So much fun.
Eliz~
Wonderful information! Even though I'm not looking to buy. I already have too much :o) I really enjoyed this information. Thank You!
Vee Muller
Great info! A few more things: in our area (Albuquerque, NM) different estate sale companies send out emails of upcoming sales. It's easy to get on their lists. Also, besides having home sales, one company has 2 warehouses and often has 50% off sales. Also send out email notices. Happy hunting!
Patty Soriano
There is also estatesales.org, but i don't like them as well as estatesales.NET. I had never thought of facebook...I'll try that one too. When my last parent died I handled the sale by myself. It took weeks to go through everything in the home and two buildings. But I cleaned, priced and arranged everything I found. Hubby thought I was daft....no one would want a plastic goose planter. What do you think was gone the first day ? 🙂 I did research everything of value. I called in help from friends who were there the days of the sale to assist with crowd control. I did it myself because it was SO personal. I wanted to handle all of my mom and dad's things for the last time. And I didn't want to give such a high percentage of the profit to someone else. I'm just want to stingy! Make that "frugal."
Laura Werley
Kathy, thanks for taking the time to put this together, lots of valuable info in this post. I don’t have issues with finding estate or yard sales, I use the same online sites that you do! The only issue I have is arriving on the third day and finding they don’t reduce pricing to 50% off until after noon! My biggest issue is the over pricing of the merchandise - I know they split the sales with the homeowner, but really do they want to sit on all of it and have a fire sale in the last hour? I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos from online resellers and am getting some good ideas. One thing I did was download an app called Yard Sales. It pulls listings from Craigslist and puts them on a map with the listing as a pop up when you tap the bubble on the map. It’s very helpful because it updates in real time, so when someone lists at the last minute you’ll see it. I agree about family run estate sales. And I also have several estate sale companies I won’t deal with and some I love. You just have to get up and go each week and see what you can find - sometimes two items, sometimes a truck full!