"Last summer, I saw a crowd forming outside of a home in my neighborhood, and, naturally, I needed to see what was up. I learned that an estate sale was going on, and everything in the home was for sale. Shocked, I made my way inside, oohed and ahhed over the stunning home, and left with a mother-of-pearl frame, two glass drinking glasses with gold foil, and a coffee table book—all for about $15. From then on, I was hooked.
turns out, you don't have to spend all of your free time cleaning
Estate sales offer the perfect mix of secondhand shopping and swooning over interiors. I have scored everything from designer bags to glassware to furniture at these sales, and I can’t recommend them enough. Not to mention, as someone who loves interiors, I love getting to peek inside gorgeous homes in my city (hello, mansion sales!). If you want all the deets on how to score your own incredible estate sale finds, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for all the tips and tricks I’ve learned from shopping estate sales for the past year.
What is an estate sale?
Estate sales are a way to liquidate the belongings of a family or estate. These sales are usually held on weekends and are way more extensive than a basic yard sale. Shopping one is essentially like walking through a furnished home where everything is on sale. You’ll find a wide variety of items to shop for, including clothing, furniture, decor, art, and even household goods like cleaning products and toiletries. To find sales in your area, you can search by zip code on sites like EstateSales.net. Each listing will share pictures of some of the items for sale so you can get a feel before you go. I also follow a few of my favorite estate sale companies on social media and recommend looking into accounts that share sales in your area.
How to shop estate sales
Once you’ve found a sale you’re interested in, the fun begins! Especially if you’re a first-time shopper, it’s helpful to know what to expect. Here’s what to know before shopping estate sales:
Be prepared for a crowd
In my experience, if a sale includes a lot of high-end items (like designer clothing and accessories), I anticipate a crowd. Most of the time, you can walk right into a sale, but popular sales operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Many companies will have a sign-up sheet at the door, so if you see a crowd, don’t just get in line—head to the front and put your name on the list!
Bring cash
I always double-check what kinds of payment are accepted before I go but usually bring cash anyway. You can often pay by card or even PayPal or Venmo, but electronic payments sometimes come with an extra fee. I recommend bringing cash to save yourself a few bucks.
Have a plan for larger items
If you’re in the market for larger pieces like furniture, bring a tape measure with you. Know the dimensions of your home (and your car!) so you can be sure the furniture will fit, and be prepared to move the item yourself. (But if you need help, many estate sale companies will have movers’ info at the ready.) To claim your item, ask someone working the sale for a “sold” sticker or label to place on it. You usually have until the end of the weekend to move the item out of the house. I once scored a beautiful blue gingham wingback chair at an estate sale, and trust me, it was a thrilling purchase.
Follow basic estate sale etiquette
Estate sale etiquette is definitely a thing, but the good news is that most of it is common sense. Many sales will post a list of house rules at the front, which usually include things like no food or drink, don’t cut the line, and be respectful of the home and of others. It’s also helpful to know that restrooms are not available at these sales—I’m always so tempted to grab a coffee or fun drink before I go, but I always wait until afterward!
Understand how pricing works
Prices at estate sales will vary. I always expect pricing for higher-end goods to be comparable to sites like The RealReal, while regular sales are similar to thrift store pricing. For the best prices, I recommend going to estate sales on Sunday, while Friday (or the first day of the sale) may be better if you have your eye on something specific. Estate sales will generally lower their prices as each day passes—Friday is full price, Saturday is 25 percent off, and Sunday is 50 percent off.
Know which items are off limits
If you see a piece of furniture with a “sold” sticker, leave it alone. Some sales also include a hold table, so shoppers don’t have to carry their items around with them, and shopping the hold table is obviously a big no. Certain sales are strict with no negotiating rules, but if not, don’t be afraid to chat with those working the sale! Learning a little more about the home and the sale items can be fascinating, and you may even score some deals if you’re not afraid to ask.
Shop estate sales often
I’ve learned over the past year that every estate sale is different. You’ll learn what kind of sales you like by going to them and also previewing them online. I’ve been to incredibly fancy sales in neighborhoods with enormous homes, as well as rummage sales in smaller neighborhoods. If you’re on the hunt for designer goods or higher-end decor and furniture, get a sense for the affluent neighborhoods in your city. Or, if you’re just looking for a great deal, you may be surprised at what you’ll find at a sale in a smaller home. Also, keeping it real, I’ve been to plenty of duds—it’s all part of the estate sale shopping experience!
All in all, if you love thrifting but have never shopped estate sales, I highly recommend you check them out! I’m at sales just about every weekend, and it’s a fun hobby even if you don’t buy anything. I’ve found so much joy in decorating my home with secondhand treasures, building a hosting cabinet with vintage glassware, and scoring my first ever Louis Vuitton bag. You never know what you’ll find.
Kristen Garaffo, Contributing Home & Living Writer
Kristen Garaffo is a Washington DC-area-based freelance writer. She specializes in home and lifestyle content and loves helping others live their best lives at home and beyond.
Feature graphic images credited to: Paige N McNaney | Dupe, Mariana Ramalho | Dupe, Júlia Lafulla | Dupe, Cori Burns | Dupe