The following is a list of estate liquidation questions to ask in an interview with an estate liquidation representative.
But before your meeting with an estate liquidator can take place, there are a few preparatory steps it will be most helpful for you to take.
Preliminary Steps Before Interviewing an Estate Liquidator:
- Do a thorough search of the house. Look for surprises…
- Make note of all valuables.
- Decide what is not going to be part of the estate sale.
- Remove or place sticky notes on items to be retained by the estate.
- Place valuables and items of interest in plain site so that they can be seen by the estate liquidation company’s representative.
- Try not to worry if the house is not in perfect order (estate liquidators have seen it all, and the best of them will understand).
- Write down all of your estate liquidation questions to ask during the interview.
Tips: It is very helpful to have a separate folder for each estate liquidation company containing the following:
- Name and contact information of the estate liquidation company.
- Your estate liquidation questions to ask.
- Pictures of additional items not presently in the house.
Tips: When the time comes, and the estate liquidator arrives, notice the following:
- Are they well groomed, professional, and courteous?
- Did they arrive on time?
- If they were running late, did they call to inform you?
Estate Liquidations Questions to ask after first taking a tour of the house with an estate liquidator.
- Do we have enough to do an estate sale?
- Does your company have room on its calendar?
- How long will the entire process take?
- Please explain your estate liquidation company’s entire set-up and sales process? How is the house left? What happens with the remainders?
- How many people do you let into the house at one time? Is your company insured?
- How does your company determine values?
- Does your company negotiate discounts with estate sales customers? How does that work?
- Where does your company advertise its sales?
- What if I change my mind and want to retain a few items after we have signed a contract? Can we place a reserve on certain items?
- Please explain your fee structure? Do you provide a post sale inventory of all items sold? How long does it take for your company to settle its accounts, and send a check to the estate?
- Can we see a sample contract? What makes your company different?
- We have certain high value items in the house, how will you sell these items?
Tips: Here are some things to notice about the answers to the above Estate Liquidation Questions to Ask section:
- Were the answers helpful, and informative?
- Did the representative seem insightful and knowledgeable?
- Did they seem to address and care about you goals?
- Did they leave a brochure or information folder?
- Ask yourself, “How did these answers to my questions compare to the answers I received from other estate liquidations companies?
If you find that an Estate Liquidator is not interested in conducting an Estate Sale for you due to the modest financial value of your estate – You could do your own – The DIY Estate Sales Guide.