This is also the perfect time to have a certified
appraiser come in to appraise items that may be of significant
value. Very expensive items may be auctioned at an auction house
such as Christy's or Sotheby's. Less expensive items can be sold
to local antiques dealers. By having an idea of their value before
going to dealers, you reduce the chance that dealers can scam you.
You could also consider selling items through an on-line auction.
If you do so, remember that you will be responsible for shipping
items and ensuring their condition to successful bidders.
Distribute
Items to the Intended Recipients
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Schedule a single day for distribution of items.
In-town relatives can come to pick up items intended for them;
they may also be helpful by taking bags to charities, books to
resellers, boxes to storage, and trash to dumps.
Use this day for shipping as well. Small items can be shipped via
UPS or FedEx; large pieces of furniture and antiques may require
special handling by movers. Once you've finished distribution, you
should have a considerably reduced pile of boxes and furniture.
These boxes should contain only items to be moved to the elder's
new residence or to storage. Remaining items should be those to be
sold in an estate sale.
Move the Elder
to His New Residence
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Will the mover actually show up on time? Will
the mover actually show up at all? Increase the probability of a
good outcome for the move by contacting the mover to confirm
arrangement a week ahead and the day before the actual move is
scheduled. Of course, missed appointments may still occur, but if
you've checked out the company with the Better Business Bureau and
reminded the company of your appointment, the chances are good
that the move will go as planned.
Accompany your elder to his new residence and help him with the
moving-in process. Even if not all boxes can be emptied in a
single day, he will feel more comfortable if a few items that are
meaningful to him are unpacked and placed where he can find them.
Once the movers have left the premises, the
estate sale professionals should come in to evaluate and price
items for the estate sale. Give them a key to the house, and then
get out of their way. If you have chosen well, these professionals
can do a great job of pricing items to sell and clearing the house
of whatever remains. They will take a percentage of the sale
receipts as compensation.
The days of the sale are good days to keep your elder busy
elsewhere. A tearful elder does nothing to help sales.
Schedule a professional cleaning service to clean the house once
the estate sale is over. When that has been completed to your
satisfaction, turn the keys over to your senior real estate
professional and give yourself a big pat on the back. You're done!
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