What to Look for at Estate Sales (Reseller Edition)

If you haven't tried estate sales yet, you are seriously missing out. Estate sales are one of the best-kept secrets in the reselling world. The prices are usually way lower than thrift stores, and the quality is often much higher.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know to start sourcing from estate sales like a pro.

How Estate Sales Work

An estate sale happens when someone needs to sell most or all of the belongings in a home. This could be because of a move, a downsizing situation, or after someone passes away. A company usually comes in, prices everything, and opens the home up to the public for one to three days.

Unlike garage sales, estate sales are organized and run by professionals. Items are displayed throughout the house. You walk through room by room and pick out what you want. Prices are marked on almost everything.

Most estate sales run Thursday through Saturday or Friday through Sunday. On the last day, many companies offer discounts of 25% to 50% off. Some even go as low as 75% off just to clear things out.

How to Find Estate Sales Near You

Finding estate sales is easy once you know where to look. Here are the best places to search:

EstateSales.net — This is the most popular site. You can search by zip code and see photos of the items before you go. Set up alerts so you never miss one in your area.
EstateSales.org — Another great site with listings across the country. It works a lot like EstateSales.net but sometimes has different sales listed.
Facebook Marketplace and local groups — Search for "estate sale" in your area. Some smaller companies only advertise on Facebook.
Craigslist — Check the garage sale section. You will find estate sales listed there too.
Local newspapers — Some estate sale companies still advertise in print, especially in smaller towns.

Pro tip: Always look at the photos before you go. This saves you so much time. If the photos show mostly worn-out furniture and no brand names, it might not be worth the trip.

What Sells Well from Estate Sales

This is where it gets exciting. Estate sales are goldmines for certain categories. Here is what to keep your eyes open for:

Jewelry

Estate sale jewelry is one of the most profitable things you can buy. Look for:

Gold and sterling silver pieces — Check for stamps like 925, 14K, or 10K. Even broken gold jewelry has value.
Vintage costume jewelry — Brands like Monet, Trifari, Sarah Coventry, and Napier sell well online.
Signed pieces — Flip jewelry over and look for brand names. Signed pieces are worth more.

Vintage Kitchenware

Older kitchens are full of treasure. Look for:

Pyrex — Especially vintage patterns like Butterprint, Gooseberry, and Spring Blossom. These sell for great money.
Cast iron — Griswold and Wagner pieces can sell for hundreds of dollars.
Fire-King and Jadeite — These mint-green dishes have a huge collector following.
Corningware — The classic blue cornflower pattern is always in demand.

Mid-Century Furniture

If the home was built in the 1950s or 1960s, you might find amazing mid-century modern pieces. Look for clean lines, tapered legs, and quality wood like teak or walnut. These pieces can sell for hundreds or even thousands depending on the maker.

Brand-Name Clothing

Do not skip the closets. Estate sale clothing is often in excellent condition because it was well cared for. Look for:

Vintage designer labels — Burberry, Coach, St. John, Pendleton
Fur coats and leather jackets — Real fur and quality leather still sell well
Vintage band tees and graphic tees — These can be worth a lot more than you think
Quality basics — Cashmere, silk, and wool pieces from any era

Tools and Hardware

If there is a garage or workshop, do not skip it. Tools sell fast, especially:

Power tools from brands like DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee
Hand tools and vintage tool sets
Fishing gear and tackle boxes
Yard equipment

Vinyl Records

Record collections at estate sales can be incredible. Look for classic rock, jazz, blues, and soul. Check the condition of the vinyl and the cover. Even common albums in great shape sell for a few dollars each, and rare pressings can go for much more.

Go Early vs. Go Late

This is one of the biggest debates in the estate sale world. Here is how to think about it:

Go early if:

You want the best selection
You spotted something specific in the photos you want to grab
The sale has high-value items like jewelry, designer goods, or electronics

Go late if:

You want the deepest discounts (last day is usually 50% off or more)
You are looking for bulk items you can flip in lots
You are on a tight sourcing budget

My personal strategy? I go early on the first day for jewelry and high-value items. Then I go back on the last day for everything else at a discount. Best of both worlds.

Estate Sale Etiquette

A few quick things to keep in mind so you have a great experience:

Bring cash. Some estate sale companies only accept cash. Others take cards, but cash gives you room to negotiate.
Be respectful. Remember, this was someone's home. Treat the space and the belongings with care.
Do not haggle on day one. Prices are usually firm on the first day. Save your negotiating for the last day.
Bring your own bags or boxes. Most estate sales do not provide them.
Ask before you open drawers or cabinets. Some areas might be off-limits.
Be patient in line. Popular sales can have long lines before they open. Bring a chair and a coffee. Chat with the other shoppers. You might make some reseller friends.

Start Listing Your Finds

Once you start sourcing from estate sales, you are going to have a lot of inventory to list. That is a good problem to have. To keep things moving smoothly, a crosslisting tool is a game changer.

List Perfectly lets you create one listing and post it to multiple platforms at the same time. So whether you are selling on eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, or Depop, you only have to do the work once. It is honestly the best way to keep up when your inventory starts growing fast.

If you want to try it out, use code THRIFT30 for a discount on your subscription. You will wonder how you ever listed without it.

Happy estate sale hunting!