Frequently Asked Questions

What Does an Onsite Estate Sale Entail?

An onsite estate liquidation is a multi-step process. We start by coming into your home and assessing the project to learn what your specific goals are and what personal property you have. Once under contract, we sort, clean, organize, research, price, market, and sell your collection and furnishings from your home. We advise taking unique and higher-valued items directly to auction for the potential of greater sales results.

Generally, you must have a full or nearly-full home in an estate sale to attract enough buyers to maximize sales and command the best price on your more expensive and collectible pieces. Consignment or a buy-out might be better if you have only a few things to sell. 

Almost all estate liquidators have the same common request: Do not throw anything away. We can let you know what sells, what doesn’t sell, and what, if anything, you need to do before the sale.

Depending on the project’s complexity, it typically takes 2-3 weeks from start to finish to sort, clean, tag, photograph, stage, price, market, and sell all items present. This timeline may also include a complete house clean-out should you request it as part of the agreement.

What Am I Responsible For During the Sale?

In most cases, you do not need to do anything. We keep in frequent contact with you throughout the entire process to give you updates and to check on any issues that do come up.

We collect sales tax on purchases made and then submit these receipts to the state on a monthly basis.

We provide various clean-out options for unsold items at the end of the sale based on the goals and desires of the client.

We are a licensed auction business with a licensed auctioneer. We offer our auctions on two premier online auction platforms, LiveAuctioneers and Bidsquare. These platforms allow us to reach a national and international audience of sophisticated bidders that can lead to higher sales results.

Generally speaking, well-known luxury brands, known artists, estate jewelry, and unique collections do well at auctions. Trending items like mid-century modern furniture may also be a good choice. As with most items, demand for specific categories of items and styles can be cyclical. Regardless of the specifics, the item’s condition is the most important factor, as repairs, imperfections, and flaws can significantly diminish its value.

Have Any Additional Questions?

GCB Estate Sales and Auctions is dedicated to client satisfaction and wants to ensure you get the best value for the family treasures you wish to sell. For more information, consider scheduling a free consultation. We look forward to working for you!

Book a Complimentary Consultation