Although they had friends watching the buyers, someone stole the $3,700 turquoise 11½-inch “New Yorker” plate (part of the Jazz series) from an unlocked cabinet. The family didn’t know the rules for house sales. Always keep portable valuable items locked up and have a salesperson in the room responsible for opening and relocking any cabinet. Lock and tape any rooms with things not to be sold. If the sale has high dollar value, have a uniformed guard at the door. Be sure there is only one door to get in and out, a door that is carefully watched.
Many times it is better to hire a professional house sale firm whose employees know the problems and how to protect, advertise, display and price the goods. They know to search for valuables in every purse, the back of every picture, the bottom of every dress bag and to shake every book. They also have special customers looking for large items like dining room sets. They may get less for good antiques and collectibles, but they make up for it on the average pieces like tools in the garage or children’s clothes. And you can avoid the emotional stress of watching strangers go through mother’s things. Few of us try to sell our own houses. Why are we sure we can sell the contents?
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