How Do Estate Sales Work in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and When Should You Have One?
The quick answer: An estate sale is a public sale of a home's contents, usually run by a company inside the house. In North Andover MA, Haverhill MA or Windham NH, the order is the same. Family picks first, then the sale, then donations, then haul-away, then the house goes on the market.
This is the question I ask when someone says, 'I'm fine,' and I know they aren't.
You're clearing out a parent's house. Someone asks how it's going, and you say you're fine. Then you open one more drawer, and it takes your breath away.
So here's my question: what part of this feels heaviest right now? For most people, it isn't the house. It's the stuff. Every closet takes an hour longer than you planned.
If you feel worn out just thinking about it, you aren't alone. This guide gives you the order that works. It keeps the precious things safe and the stress lower. Then the house is ready when you are.
Let the family walk through first. Strangers come second.
In this guide
What's the difference between an estate sale, a yard sale and an auction?
An estate sale is a priced sale inside the home, usually run by a company over one to three days. A yard sale is a family sale outside. An auction lets buyers bid against each other.
An estate sale company sorts, prices, advertises and staffs the sale. A yard sale is fine for low-cost odds and ends. An auction can work well for rare pieces that collectors want.
A cleanout, or haul-away, isn't a sale at all. Save it for last. What looks like junk to one person can be worth real money to another.
Should you hire an estate sale company or do it yourself?
Hire a company when there's a lot to sell or you don't have the time or energy. Do it yourself when there's only a little left.
A good company knows what your things are worth and has buyers who follow its sales. It also does the heavy lifting for you on hard days.
Most companies keep a share of what sells. Some charge a minimum fee. Ask for every fee in writing before you sign, and compare two or three companies.
If a family member knows a field, like antiques or tools, they can handle that part themselves.
What questions should you ask an estate sale company?
Ask about insurance, fees and what happens to what doesn't sell. A good company answers without a pause.
- Are you bonded and insured? Can I see the certificate?
- What share do you keep, and is there a minimum fee?
- Can I call people from your last three sales?
- How do you price things, and will you show me some examples?
- How do you handle jewelry, silver and art?
- What happens to items that don't sell? Who clears the house after?
- When and how do I get paid, and do I get a full list of sales?
Read your contract slowly. Pay close attention to the part about what happens to your unsold items.
What sells well at an estate sale?
If you have solid wood furniture, tools, jewelry or collections, you'll usually draw buyers.
Mid-century and antique furniture, hand tools and power tools, cast iron pans, older glassware and records tend to sell. So do books in good shape and garden tools.
You'll find big old TVs, worn sofas and most VHS tapes and DVDs are hard to sell. Plan to donate or haul those.
In Massachusetts, mattresses and textiles can't go in the trash. That ban started on November 1, 2022. Ask your town about mattress recycling, and donate clothing and linens.
What should you keep out of an estate sale?
Remove papers, medicine, firearms and anything the family still wants before the company sets up.
- Papers: tax returns, bank records, deeds, wills, passports and Social Security cards. Keep what the estate needs and shred the rest.
- Medicine: take it to a drug take back site. The DEA lists thousands of sites that take old medicine all year.
- Firearms: never put them in the sale. Ask your estate attorney how to handle them under state and federal law.
- Items in dispute: if heirs disagree about a piece, set it aside until they agree.
- Family treasures: if it would hurt to see a stranger carry it out, take it out first.
Should you have the estate sale before you sell the house?
Yes. Clear the house first, then get it ready, then list it.
Your buyers need to picture their own life in your rooms. A house full of someone else's things makes your rooms feel smaller. Your photos look busy, too.
Here's the order I walk families through:
- Family walk-through and keepsakes
- Appraisal of anything that may be valuable
- The estate sale
- Donation pickup for what's left in good shape
- Haul-away for the rest
- Cleaning, small fixes and presentation and preparation
- Photos, then the listing
For the estate itself, see what to do when you inherit a house.
What do you do with what's left after the sale?
Donate first, then haul away. Hauling is priced by how much is left, so every donation helps.
Many charities pick up furniture and household goods for free. Get a written receipt for every donation. The estate may be able to deduct it, so ask your tax pro.
Some companies can bring in a buyer who takes everything left for one low price. It's fast, not rich. Ask about it before you sign.
How do you know what the house is worth once it's clear?
You start with real numbers, not a website guess.
I look at three things. What sellers near you said yes to lately and why. Every home for sale within about 10 miles in that price range. The accurate similar sales from the last 30 days. Then you choose how to price it. We don't set your price.
In 20 years and almost 2,000 families, I've learned this part goes better when no one rushes. For the closing, I often bring in Eric Pacy, my go-to real estate attorney. Lisa Sevajian has been featured by HGTV, Forbes, HousingWire, Boston magazine, RealTrends Verified and Boston Agent Magazine, among many others.
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About Lisa Sevajian
Lisa Sevajian is a Realtor with the Lisa Sevajian Group at eXp Realty, licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has guided almost 2,000 families through buying and selling and has ranked in the top 1.5% of over 1.4 million Realtors nationwide, verified by RealTrends. She serves the Andovers, the Merrimack Valley, Seacoast MA and NH, Southern NH and the North Shore. Buying, she makes sure you don't overpay. Selling, she makes sure you don't say yes to too little. Call Lisa Sevajian at 978-457-3406.
Home, for me, is here
This is home for me. I grew up north of Boston. I raised my two daughters here as a single mom while I built my business. When they were little, they hosted open houses with me.
We lived at Mill Pond in North Andover MA. I hiked Weir Hill with my dogs. I launched my kayak on the pond. A lot of my mornings started at Good Day Cafe.
So when you ask me about a town, you get more than numbers. Ask me about a school, a street or your commute, and you get someone who has lived it. If you're making a move here, you won't make it alone.
Lisa is an expert negotiator and we were able to get everything that we wanted for our offer.
Kevin Liu, bought a home in Georgetown MA, verified Zillow review
She listened to me and understood what I needed in this home sale.
Elizabeth Reifsnyder, sold a home in Andover MA, verified Zillow review
Read real client storiesSee all reviewsMore about Lisa Sevajian
Featured by HGTV, Forbes, HousingWire, Boston magazine, RealTrends Verified and Boston Agent Magazine, syndicated by The Globe and Mail and Yahoo Finance, among many others.
Questions people ask
How does an estate sale work in Massachusetts?
A company sorts, prices and sells the contents inside the home, usually over one to three days. It keeps a share of the sales and pays the estate the rest. Get every fee in writing.
What's the difference between an estate sale and a yard sale?
An estate sale is usually run by a company inside the home with priced items and an organized crowd of buyers. A yard sale is a family sale outside, usually for low-cost items.
What questions should I ask an estate sale company in New Hampshire?
Ask if they're bonded and insured, what share they keep, if there's a minimum fee, for recent references, and what happens to items that don't sell.
Should I have the estate sale before I sell the house in North Andover MA?
Yes. Clear the house, clean it and get it ready, then take photos and list it. Empty rooms show better than full ones.
What doesn't sell at estate sales?
Big old TVs, worn upholstered furniture and most VHS tapes and DVDs are hard to sell. Plan to donate or haul those away.
Can I throw a mattress in the trash in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts banned mattresses and textiles from the trash starting November 1, 2022. Ask your town about mattress recycling.
How do I get rid of old prescriptions when clearing a house in Massachusetts?
Take them to a DEA authorized collection site. The DEA says there are thousands of sites that take medicine all year.
What should I remove from a house before an estate sale?
Remove legal and money papers, medicine, firearms, items heirs disagree about and family keepsakes before the company sets up.
What happens to items that don't sell at an estate sale in Haverhill MA?
Most families donate what's in good shape, then hire a hauler for the rest. Some companies can bring a buyer who takes everything left for one low price.
Are donations from an estate tax deductible in Massachusetts?
The estate may be able to deduct donated goods. Get a written receipt for each donation and ask your tax pro how it applies.
How long does it take to clear a house for sale in Windham NH?
It depends on how full the house is and how fast the family can sort. Plan for the walk-through, the sale, donations, haul-away and cleaning before photos.
This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Check with your attorney, lender and CPA before you decide.
I'll guide you home.
Lisa Sevajian