If the idea of wandering through a stranger’s home and rummaging through their belongings sounds a little uncomfortable, you’re not alone. Shopping estate sales is an amazing way to score incredible bargains on antique furniture and vintage home decor, but it can feel a bit weird the first few times you go.
However, going in prepared and informed can help make the experience a lot less awkward when you know what to expect.
What Is An Estate Sale?
An estate sale is a whole-home sale where most or all of the contents are available to buy. You’ll often find furniture, décor, dishes, linens, books, tools, clothing and more. Unlike a yard sale, (which usually takes place outside and features unwanted household items) estate sales are typically held inside the home and include higher-quality or vintage pieces. While some sales happen after someone has passed away, many are simply the result of downsizing, relocating, or settling a family property.
Most estate sales are hosted over two to four days. Items are typically marked with price tags, and shoppers browse room by room. You’ll check out at a central register, and all sales are final.
Tips for First-Time Estate Sale Shoppers
Here’s everything I wish I’d known before I started shopping estate sales:
Where To Find Estate Sales Happening Near You
While most estate sales put out some street signage directing passerby to their location, there is a much better way to find local Estate sales happening near you online these days. In fact, most sales are listed online several days or even weeks in advance with photographic previews of many of the items that will be for sale during the event.
These are my go-to sources for finding the best estate sales happening in my area:
- EstateSales.net
- EstateSales.org
- Facebook Marketplace (look under “garage sales” or “events”)
- Local estate sale companies’ websites or Instagram pages
- Many professional estate sale companies also have email lists you can sign up for.
Pro Tip: Sales are often posted mid-week for the upcoming weekend, so check listings on Wednesday or Thursday so you can study the preview photos and make a plan. If you have specific items you are targeting, try and identify what area of the home they are in so you can head straight there the moment the sale opens.
Pro Tip #2: When looking at preview images of the sale, don’t just look at the items listed, also look at the home itself. I like to look for details that tell me that this person didn’t like change, and was therefore more likely to hold onto older vintage items. Indicators likes lots of old retro wallpaper are usually a sure sign of a great sale.
When To Go To Estate Sales & What Time To Arrive
In general, most estate sales are held Thursday-Sunday (with some starting Friday and some ending Saturday).
Arriving early on the first day of the sale gives you the best chance of scoring high-value items.
The proceeding days of the sale usually offer growing discounts such as 25% off everything on day two of the sale, and 50% off day three. You can score some amazing deals on these days if you’re willing to chance waiting.
Queue Lines & Staggered Entry On Day One
If you plan to go early on the first day of a sale, whether to snag a specific item or just to get first pick, be prepared to wait in line.
At most sales, this means a simple queue where you’ll wait your turn to enter. At more popular events, there may be a sign-up sheet or numbered tickets handed out at the front door.
Entry is typically first come, first served, so the earlier you arrive, the better your chances of being among the first inside. For most sales, I recommend showing up at least 30 minutes early. Even then, you may find a small crowd ahead of you.
(For especially big sales, seasoned shoppers sometimes arrive as early as 6:30 a.m. to get their names on the list for a 9:00 a.m. start.)
Map Out Your Route Strategically
If you plan to hit multiple estate sales in one day, take a moment to map out your route ahead of time. Prioritize sales based on what you’re most excited about (using the preview photos and descriptions), but also factor in operating hours. Some sales close early (some as early as 1 p.m.) while others run later. If one of your top picks ends earlier, it may be worth driving to that one first, even if it’s farther away.
Pro Tip: In addition to listing photos and sale hours, I also take into account what neighborhood or zip code each sale is in and tend to prioritize the sales in more affluent areas of town.
What To Bring When You Go To An Estate Sale
While you can show up and just walk into any estate sale, there are a few things that will make your life a bit easier:
Cash
Most professionally run estate sales take all standard forms of payment these days. However, you will still encounter some that are cash only. You may also be able to get a discount at some sales for paying in cash. Most sales will list what types of payment they accept on the listing.
Reusable Shopping Bag
If you see something you might want while at an estate sale, you need to grab it and carry it with you while you decide (otherwise it may be gone by the time you make up your mind and go back for it). Taking a reusable shopping bag along with you can help free up your arms to keep looking around the sale while you consider your purchase.
Be aware that many estate sales will not allow large purses or oversized tote bags into the sale.
Pro Tip: If you find a large item at a sale that is too big to carry around with you, most estate sales will have a “holds table” near the checkout where you can leave items as you continue shopping.
A Flashlight
You never know what sort of lighting an estate sale will have, shoppers often find themselves poking around in dark corners of an attic or the back of closets with little to no light. Having a small flashlight handy is helpful in these moments.
A Tape Measure (And List Of Measurements)
One downside of an estate sale is that all sales are final. So if something doesn’t fit in your home where you’re hoping it would, you can’t just take it back. Which means you need to head into each sale armed with detailed measurements of your home and a tape measure to ensure items will work in the space intended before you buy.
Pro Tip: If you’re ever in a situation where you don’t have a tape measure, did you know most smartphones have a “measure” app that you can take digital measurements using your camera phone? While not 100% accurate, it will get you pretty darn close!
An Empty Car
Nothing is worse that scoring big at an estate sale and then not having the room in your car to get your items home. So before you head out, make sure you car is clear of any non-essential items you won’t need that day.
Lift Straps
If you plan to purchase any large items, be aware that most estate sales will not help you load items into your vehicle. Or may do so only for a fee. Often it is up to the buyer to be responsible for getting the item out of the house and into their car. (No matter how large or small).
Having something like a set of lift straps that let you and a friend easily move large items can come in handy for situations like these.
A Plan
Finally having any sort of a plan is extremely useful when heading out to an estate sale. Before I enter any sale I always try to have a general idea of the types of items I’m looking for so I can head to those areas of the sale first. Then I also try and set a budget for myself before I enter. Both of those things help me avoid impulse buys I may regret later.
Other Misc Items You Might Consider Bringing As Well:
- Snacks
- If you find yourself having to wait in a long line for entry and checkout, having a small stash of snacks in your bag can be helpful
- An Umbrella
- Remember how I said you might have to wait outside for a while before going in? Bringing an umbrella with you so you aren’t standing right in the sun or rain while waiting can be a game changer.
- Noise Canceling Headphones
- If you struggle with sensory overwhelm when in tight crowded spaces like I do, then you may want to bring something like noise canceling headphones to help you stay calm while shopping.
- Gloves
- While most estate sales are fairly clean, there are some that allow you into old attics or dusty sheds that haven’t seen a duster in years. Having a pair of gloves handy can be a good idea when digging through areas like these.
Estate Sale Etiquette You Need To Know
While there is no universal set of “rules” for shopping estate sales, there are some common courtesies you’ll want to adhere to and general guidelines for while you’re shopping:
- Wait your turn for entry and don’t cut in line. (Many people will also frown upon you holding a space for someone not there as a word of warning).
- Follow all posted rules. (These are often things like: no food/drink, no touching certain items, don’t remove items from the holds table)
- Treat the home and other shoppers at the estate sale with care and respect. (This is especially true if you’re at a private sale where the family of a loved one is selling their belongings.)
- Small children and strollers are not allowed into most estate sales for obvious reasons. Baby wearing will sometimes be allowed, but is not a guarantee.
- Most estate sales will ticket large items with a sale ticket and a sold ticket. In these instances you are typically expected to tear off the top sale ticket and bring just that up to the check-out with you. (This also means that any item with only a sold ticket left and no sale ticket is already taken.)
Scout Wisely & Know Where To Look
- In general you want to do a quick sweep of the sale when you first arrive, looking for any of the main items on your list, then circle back through a second time to do a more thorough search of each room.
- Always make sure to check easily overlooked areas: the rugs below your feet, inside closets, under tables, up high on the walls for hidden gems.
- Never skip the garage. These spaces are often used not just for selling the items you’d normally find there but also to display specialty items like Christmas decor or overflow items like servingware or decor that didn’t fit on display inside the house.
Inspect Each Item Carefully & Do Your Research
- As we’ve mentioned previously, items at an estate sale are sold “as-is” with no refunds or returns for any reason. So be sure to inspect every item for damage and if needed plug in electronics to ensure they work before purchasing.
- It also doesn’t hurt to have your phone handy to do a quick google image search to get an idea of what an item is worth before you buy it. (I break down exactly how to do that in this post).
When To Negotiate At An Estate Sale
Most professionally run estate sales have rules that clearly state they don’t allow haggling until the final day of the sale. Even then, some sales won’t allow you to negotiate on the price of an item until the final hour of the final day of the sale.
Privately run estate sales on the other hand often don’t mind some respectful negotiation. However when doing so always be polite and avoid lowballing the seller.
What To Look For At Estate Sales
While some vintage items are easy to score at second-hand shops or thrift stores, there are a few items that are most easily sourced from estate sales:
Vintage Dishware & Cookware
It’s easy to find one or two peices of vintage dishware at a secondhand shop, but if you need a full set of china, 12 matching coupe glasses, highly collectable pyrex, or cast iron cookware, your chances of scoring those items are MUCH higher at an estate sale.
Quality Walnut or Teak Furniture
If you’ve been to a thrift store lately, you know there isn’t a lot of solid walnut furniture being sold. So if you’re on the hunt for quality furniture for a bargain, estate sales are you best bet.
Framed Art
You can find cheap frames at the thrift store, however it is much harder to score original art, old paintings or the type of collector quality art you’ll find at estate sales.
Antique Books
Need to fill a large bookcase with cool looking old books? Estate sales will be your friend.
Vinyl Records
Any serious record collector will tell you that the vinyl bin at the thrift shop is usually the last place to find something of value. Estate sales on the other hand are where you can score highly collectable records in well cared for, often like new, condition.
Decorative Home Goods
Similar to searching for quality furniture, it is *much* easier to find a good deal on high end quality home goods such as rugs, lamps and other decor items at an estate sale.
Final Thoughts
One of the reasons I personally love estate sales is the stories and the history each sale has to share. (Not to mention getting to be nosey and wander around the inside of other peoples homes)
Can it be overwhelming at times? Definitely. Are there days when I come home empty handed? Yes. But part of the fun is the hunt and the not knowing what the next basement door brings.
And once you’ve had your first “is this real marble for $8??” moment… you’ll be hooked. Pinky promise.
If you’ve scored something special at an estate sale, I’d love to hear about it in the comments—or tag me on Instagram @ahomeisannounced so I can see your finds!
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