Unlocking Hidden Treasures: A Guide to Shopping In-Person Estate Sales Near You

If you’re looking to become an estate sale expert but are new to this form of secondhand shopping, don’t fear. We’ve spoken with seasoned estate sale fanatics who are sharing some of their top tips for shopping these types of sales like a pro. Read on to learn more about what to bring, when to arrive, and much more. 

View Pictures of an Estate Sale Before Going

The photos posted online advertising an estate sale will offer valuable sneak peeks of what you can expect to find. “I know an estate sale is worth visiting if it has at least one big thing, or many small things, that I’m interested in,” says Julie Mayfield, the blogger behind Creating This Life. “That way, it’s rare that I leave empty-handed.” 

The photos posted online advertising an estate sale will offer valuable sneak peeks of what you can expect to find.

Jacqueline Burrows, the founder of The Sleepy Flea, agrees that scanning photos ahead of time can pay major dividends. “Often only a fraction of the sale is photographed, but you can at least get a sense of the homeowner’s style to tell if you’ll find things you like,” she says. And don’t be afraid to do some outreach before making a longer trek. “If you are only after one specific item it can’t hurt to email the company to ask if it’s even still there before you go,” Burrows adds. 

Come Prepared with the Essentials 

Half of the battle of shopping an estate sale is lugging your finds around while moving from room to room. Mayfield recommends coming prepared with a lightweight bag that can house all of your treasures as you shop. She also advises carrying a tape measurer and being equipped with multiple payment methods. “Some sale companies don’t accept checks, and at least one I frequent only accepts cash or checks,” she explains. 

Be sure to bring multiple payment methods. “Some sale companies don’t accept checks, and at least one I frequent only accepts cash or checks,”  Julie Mayfield, the blogger behind Creating This Life, explains.

Burrows suggests also bringing along some bubble wrap if feasible, if you plan to purchase items that need a little extra protection. She notes that when paying with cash, it’s a bit easier to score bargains, too. 

Grab Items You Love Right Away

At an estate sale, there’s no point in setting an item back down while thinking it over, unless you’re 100 percent sure that you don’t want it. “If there’s something that really catches my eye, I’ve learned to grab it, even if I’m not sure where to how I’ll use it,” Mayfield says. “I have a little list in my head of things I left behind and which I hadn’t!” 

“If there’s something that really catches my eye, I’ve learned to grab it, even if I’m not sure where to how I’ll use it,” Mayfield says

Arrive Early on the First Day

If you’re eager to take advantage of all that is available for purchase, arriving at an estate sale bright and early on day one is key. “This could mean several hours early if it appears to be a really good sale with highly desirable items,” Burrows says. “If that’s the case, it will be competitive and crowded, and you should assume there are other people there looking for the same thing you are.” She recommends taking an Uber to the sale when possible in order to avoid having to search for parking nearby. 

Arrive early and take an Uber to the sale when possible in order to avoid having to search for parking nearby. 

Visit an Estate Sale on the Last Day

If you love the concept of estate sales but aren’t one for long lines, going on the last day will alleviate the need to wait outside for long. “The last day is much more relaxed and you'll be able to find great stuff for cheap,” says Emily Tieman, the blogger behind Emily Retro. How cheap, exactly? Generally, Tieman says, “Everything is discounted anywhere between 50 to 75 percent off.” She adds, “There are always plenty of leftover items and estate sale sellers/companies are much more likely to haggle with you on the last day.” Better yet, Tieman adds that sometimes, people are willing to give away larger, bulkier items for free on the last day of a sale so that they do not have to lug them into storage. Bargain hunters, take notes!

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

August 26, 2024     

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

Ready to locate an estate sale company or explore online estate auctions? Visit AuctionNinja.com. If you're new to online estate auctions, try it risk-free by sigining up here.