Often, moving to senior living from a longtime home means taking time to decide what to do with an entire lifetime of belongings that hold memories, meaning, and years of shared history.
For many families, having an estate sale can make the downsizing process easier by reducing the number of items that need to be moved, while giving furniture, artwork, collectibles, and other belongings the chance to be enjoyed by someone new.
If you're preparing for your own move or helping a parent transition to senior living, understanding how an estate sale works and planning ahead can make the whole process feel less overwhelming.
As you prepare for a move to senior living, an estate sale can be a practical option for selling belongings you no longer need.
Start by deciding what you want to keep, then separate belongings to sell, donate, gift, or discard.
Give family members the opportunity to select items they want to keep before the sale.
Professional estate sale companies can handle many aspects of the process, but fees and services vary.
Starting early and knowing how to have an estate sale can make downsizing more manageable.
When Does an Estate Sale Make Sense?
How to Handle an Estate Sale of a Parent's Home
How Much Do Estate Sale Companies Charge?
Is Senior Living the Next Step?
An estate sale is an organized sale of personal belongings, typically held in a home. Household items including furniture, kitchenware, home decor, artwork, tools, books, and collectibles are priced and offered for sale.
Despite the name, an estate sale does not necessarily mean that someone has passed away. Families may hold an estate sale when an older adult is downsizing, moving to senior living, or transitioning out of a longtime home.
An estate sale may be worth considering when a home contains more belongings than can reasonably fit in a senior living apartment. But it can be especially useful when you have valuable furniture, collectibles, artwork, or other household items you no longer need but would prefer to sell rather than donate. An estate sale can also give older loved ones more of an opportunity to participate in decisions about their belongings.
However, if there are relatively few items to sell, a donation pickup or direct sale of a few valuable pieces may be easier than having an estate sale. If a move needs to happen quickly, selling select items individually or donating the rest may also be more practical than organizing a sale.
If you're wondering how to have an estate sale, be aware that the process can vary depending on whether you manage the sale yourself or hire a professional company. In general, it involves several steps:
1. Decide what you want to keep.
Start by identifying which belongings you would like to take with you. Consider the size and layout of your new home when deciding which furniture and other items will fit.
2. Set aside meaningful items for family.
Before putting anything up for sale, give your family an opportunity to select which belongings they would like to keep, including photographs, keepsakes, jewelry and other items that carry memories.
3. Sort your belongings.
Separate items into categories to sell, donate, give to family or friends, or discard. Working on one room at a time can make the undertaking feel less overwhelming.
4. Determine whether you need professional help.
If you and your family are organizing and conducting the estate sale yourselves, you'll likely need to do a fair amount of work: sorting and pricing items, advertising the sale, establishing payment methods, organizing the home, and managing unsold belongings.
5. Prepare for and conduct the sale.
Before the sale, belongings need to be organized, priced, and advertised. If you're working with a professional estate sale company, they may handle these tasks for you. Depending on the size and circumstances, the sale typically takes place over one or more days.
6. Handle what’s leftover.
After the sale, families will need a plan for unsold items. Some estate sale companies can help arrange donations or assist with item disposal.
A parent's home often contains decades of memories, so it's natural that helping them downsize can become emotional for everyone involved. If you're helping a parent downsize and plan an estate sale, here are some tips to keep the process manageable, both practically and emotionally:
Include your parent whenever possible, letting them decide which belongings to keep, give to family, or let go of.
Divide responsibilities when you're able. One family member can coordinate the sale while another can sort through photographs, keepsakes, or other belongings.
Keep important documents, photographs, medications, financial records, and jewelry separate from items being sold or donated.
Give yourself and your family time to make decisions about sentimental belongings. If you're unsure whether to keep something, set it aside and return to it later.
Hiring a professional estate sale company can save your family time and take much of the work off your shoulders.
Depending on the company, services may include organizing, pricing, advertising, and conducting the sale. Fees vary depending on the company, location, size of the sale, and services provided. Some companies also work on a commission, meaning they receive a percentage of the sales proceeds.
You can find local estate sale companies through dedicated directories such as EstateSales.net and EstateSales.org. Before choosing a company, ask what is included in the fee. It can also be helpful to interview more than one company and compare their services, pricing, and reviews before making a decision.
An estate sale can be a useful downsizing tool when moving to senior living. Starting the planning process early and getting guidance on how to have an estate sale can make everything feel more organized and manageable.
If you or a loved one is considering having an estate sale before a move to senior living, the Allegro Senior Living team is here to help you prepare for the transition. Start by downloading our complimentary Successful Transitions Guide for practical tips on a successful move to senior living.
When you're ready, connect with one of our community advisors to explore your options and schedule a personalized tour. We look forward to introducing you to Allegro Senior Living!