How It Works | Estate Sale & Liquidation Process

How Estate Sales Work

A Clear, Simple Process for Stress-Free Estate Sales and Liquidation

At Golden Ticket Estate Sales, we understand that every estate is different—and so is every client’s situation. Whether you're dealing with the estate of a loved one, downsizing for a move, or liquidating a business, our process is built to make things easier, more efficient, and more profitable.

We offer a step-by-step, full-service solution to guide you through the estate sale or liquidation process from beginning to end.

Step 1: Free Consultation

Every project starts with a complimentary consultation. We meet with you (in person or virtually) to assess your goals, timeline, and the scope of the property or business contents.

During this consultation, we will:

Walk through the property or review photos

Discuss your needs and priorities

Identify potential saleable items

Recommend the best service strategy (tag sale, full liquidation, downsizing, etc.)

Review our commission structure and answer all your questions

We’ll tailor a plan that aligns with your goals, whether you need a quick turnaround or a carefully curated sale.

Step 2: Customized Plan and Timeline

Once we understand your needs, we create a customized plan outlining:

The best approach to sell your items

A clear timeline for preparation, sale, and cleanout

Any special considerations, such as probate timelines, property listings, or move-out dates

We provide a written agreement, so you know exactly what to expect with no surprises.

Step 3: Sorting, Organizing, and Staging

Our team begins working on-site to organize and prepare the items for sale. This includes:

During this consultation, we will:

Sorting personal property into categories

Identifying valuable or rare items for special handling

Staging furniture, artwork, collectibles, and household items for display

Setting up a clean, safe, and professional shopping environment

Step 4: Research, Appraisal, and Pricing

We research and price every item based on current market values, condition, and demand. For high-end or unique items, we may:

Consult with external appraisers or collectors

Arrange private sales or specialty marketing if appropriate

Tag items using a structured pricing approach that encourages sales over the duration of the event

Our pricing process is designed to balance fair value for you and competitive pricing for buyers.

Step 5: Marketing and Promotion

To ensure your estate sale gets strong turnout and serious buyers, we promote your sale through:

Estate sale listing websites

Social media channels

Targeted email campaigns to our buyer list

Local online classifieds and community boards

Outreach to collectors, antique dealers, and resellers

Our marketing approach is designed to get your sale the attention it deserves—locally and nationally.

Step 6: Sale Days

We conduct the sale over one or multiple days, depending on the size of the estate and the volume of inventory.

During the sale:

Our staff is on-site to assist buyers, manage traffic, and maintain security

We handle all transactions and price negotiations

Discounting strategies may be used on subsequent sale days to ensure optimal sales

We create a welcoming environment where buyers feel comfortable and eager to purchase.

Step 7: Post-Sale Cleanout and Wrap-Up

Once the sale is complete, we offer optional post-sale services to prepare the property for its next chapter:

Arrange for donation of unsold items

Coordinate junk removal or hauling services

Provide broom-clean or realtor-ready final cleaning

You’ll receive a detailed sales report and payment within the agreed timeframe. Our team ensures everything is wrapped up with no loose ends.

What Makes Our Process Different?

Personalized service from a dedicated team

Transparent communication and detailed planning

Experienced professionals who understand market trends and buyer behavior

Full-service support including setup, sales, marketing, and cleanup

Respect for your timeline, goals, and emotional needs

Whether you're planning ahead or in a time-sensitive situation, we’re here to help you move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

1How long does the entire estate sale process take?

The full process typically takes between 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the size of the estate, the number of saleable items, and your preferred schedule. This includes consultation, setup, pricing, sale days, and cleanout. We also offer expedited timelines when needed.

2Do I need to be present during the estate sale?

No. Many clients prefer not to be on-site during the sale, especially when it’s tied to a personal loss or emotional transition. Our team handles the entire process professionally and respectfully—you can trust us to manage everything while you focus on your next steps.

3What happens to items that don’t sell?

We offer multiple post-sale options for unsold items, including:

Donation to local nonprofits (with donation receipts)

Junk removal or trash-out services

Consignment or specialty resale options for select high-value items

We tailor this final step based on your preferences and what remains after the sale.

4Can I keep certain items or remove them before the sale?

Yes. During our initial consultation and walkthrough, we’ll identify any items you want to keep. These can be removed from the property or clearly marked as "Not for Sale." We respect your wishes and will not include anything without your permission.

5What if the property is part of a probate case?

We work closely with probate attorneys, executors, and trustees to ensure our process aligns with court timelines and legal obligations. We can provide detailed sales reports, itemized inventories, and any supporting documentation needed for probate filings or estate accounting.

6How do you determine pricing for antiques or rare collectibles?

We use a combination of:

Historical estate sale data

Online auction and resale market trends

Internal pricing experience

Professional appraisers (for highly valuable or niche items)

Our goal is to ensure fair market value while still encouraging strong buyer turnout and sales.

7Do you handle business liquidations differently than household sales?

Yes. Business liquidations often involve inventory, fixtures, equipment, and commercial-grade assets. We use a targeted sales strategy that focuses on bulk buyers, resellers, and commercial buyers in specific industries. We also offer faster cleanout and breakdown services to help businesses vacate their space on schedule.

8Is there a minimum or maximum estate size you’ll handle?

We handle estates of all sizes—from studio apartments to multi-story homes and small businesses to full warehouses. Whether you need to liquidate a few high-value pieces or clear an entire property, we can scale our services accordingly.

9What are your fees?

Our services are typically commission-based, meaning we get paid a percentage of the total sales generated. We’ll review the rate with you in writing during the consultation. There are no hidden costs, and in most cases, there are no upfront fees.

10Can you help with staging or prepping a home for real estate photos after the sale?

Yes. After the sale and cleanout, we can provide light staging or coordinate with your real estate agent to ensure the property is ready for listing. We’ve worked with homeowners and agents throughout Austin and understand how to present a home professionally.

11Do you sell vehicles, tools, or outdoor equipment?

Absolutely. We frequently handle the sale of:

Automobiles, RVs, and motorcycles

Lawnmowers, generators, and power tools

Patio furniture, grills, and outdoor gear

We know how to market these items to buyers who are actively searching for them.

12Do you provide written reports of what was sold?

Yes. After each sale, we provide a detailed summary of all items sold, total sales generated, commission withheld, and final proceeds paid. This report is especially useful for estate representatives, trustees, and heirs.

13Are you insured?

Yes. Golden Ticket Estate Sales is fully insured, and our team members are covered while working on your property. We take every precaution to protect your home, belongings, and buyers throughout the sale process.