Grand Rapids, MI Estate Sales around 49505 (2024)

FAQs

Do you negotiate at estate sales? ›

Estate sales can be emotional events, and the seller may be attached to the items they're selling. By being kind and understanding, you're more likely to have a successful negotiation and get a good deal. So, don't be afraid to haggle and try to find a price that works for both of you.

What Percentage Do Estate Sales Take? Estate sale companies generally charge a standard commission rate between 30 to 40 percent of sales. Before they agree to take on a client, they'll typically provide a gross sales minimum. This means that the total value of all the items to be sold must meet or exceed that value.

Hold Your Estate Sale on a Weekend Day.

But keep in mind that holiday weekends can be a toss-up, since days off might mean people are traveling out of town. And never hold an estate sale on Christmas or Thanksgiving, no matter what day of the week they happen to fall on.

Evaluating Condition And Rarity

Condition and rarity greatly impact the value of estate sale treasures. Whether it's a vintage painting, a piece of antique jewelry, or a mid-century furniture set, the better the condition, the higher the value.

Most home sellers will get the best results if they set their asking price within 5% of what target buyers would consider to be the fair market value of the property.

When you are discussing fees, be firm, be open to discussion, and be polite. Ask your estate agent exactly what you get for those fees and stand your ground if you think the fees are too high. It's worth thinking about it like this – the fee structure is there as a first point for discussion.

The major benefit of a counter-offer for buyers is the potential to secure the home for less money and on better terms. However, if you really want the house, it's not a great idea to go back and forth too many times with counter-offers.

How do you negotiate a real estate commission split? ›

Treat your commission split like any other expense, how much are you willing to pay, and what are you getting in return for that amount of money? If you have a 50/50 split but also have large office fees and monthly dues, then you may want to re-negotiate for better terms or to find a different brokerage to work under.