One of our recent reads is “They Left Us Everything: A Memoir” by Plum Johnson. In it, the author manages to convey a sense of lightness and humour about a very serious and emotional topic, clearing out the house after a relative or parent has passed away.

Being left “everything” sounds positive. In terms of beloved family heirlooms and valuable assets, it really is a gift. When it comes with years’ worth of heirlooms and memories, , it becomes a daunting experience. We deal with situations like these regularly as real estate agents.

For the Johnsons, it took a total of 16 months before the house was finally clean and organized enough to put on the market. That burden can take its toll.

That’s why, in this post, we’ll talk about estate sales and why it’s so important to be prepared.

(Disclaimer: please take all of this as information only and seek legal counsel for official advice – we are not lawyers!)

Maybe it seems counterintuitive, but downsizing your home often precedes and sets the foundation for an estate sale. Best of all, you are still here to enjoy the process and make the most of your time. Learn how by downloading our free Downsizing Guide. 

What Does an Estate Sale Mean?

In real estate, an estate sale refers to the sale of a home after the owner has passed away. It’s a bit of a cold terminology for what translates into an emotional and anguished transition. 

When someone has lived in the house for a number of years and counting, getting the house ready is a monumental project. The loved ones left behind have to go through everything. The Lisa Hartsink Team has worked with clients where we helped people find homes for unwanted items, sort, and even pack. Since every single item has a story and a memory attached, every step can be all the more heartwrenching.

Most of us would never deliberately put those we care about through an experience like this. Estate sales that need extensive decluttering don’t happen maliciously; they happen because it is human nature to want to put things off.

Since no one knows what the future holds, regular cleaning and updating the family home will make it easier, less painful, and less expensive after your passing. 

Do you want even more tips on how to sell your home and move on to something more convenient and care-free? Check out the related reading below:

How to Do Estate Sales

Estate sales work a little differently than standard real estate transactions, primarily because the homeowner isn’t the one selling. Instead, they make arrangements ahead of time and appoint someone they trust to handle the transaction after they are gone. 

Needless to say, there’s a greater degree of planning and legal work to ensure the process goes smoothly. Ideally, this begins now, while you are still healthy and capable. 

Before we go any further, you’ll want to contact a lawyer for advice and to set up three critical documents to streamline your estate planning:

  • Power of Attorney for Property: This allows someone you trust to manage your property if you become unable or unwilling to do so yourself. Note, this is separate from Power of Attorney for Personal Care, which allows a third party to make medical decisions on your behalf. 
  • Estate Trustee (formerly Executor): Your Estate Trustee is the one who settles your estate and distributes assets to beneficiaries after you pass away. Selling your home as an estate sale is one of their primary tasks. 
  • Your Last Will and Testament: This critical document clearly outlines how your assets will be distributed. Without it, conflict and arguments can last for years, which draws out the pain more than necessary. With it, everyone knows where they stand, and there’s very little room for dispute.

Having the correct documentation in place will help those you leave behind. You should also be sure your Power of Attorney and Estate Trustee have access to necessary information, such as bank and investment statements. 

Start Decluttering Early

In “They Left Us Everything,” the hardest part of closing the estate wasn’t financial or legal; it was emotional. It was up to the adult children to go through every item in the house and decide what to keep and what to discard. 

This has also been true for many of our own clients. We aren’t talking about the occasional birthday card or anniversary gift. We are talking about years’ worth of everything, cutlery, dishes, clothes that no longer fit, old remotes, TVs, CDs, DVDs (some just empty cases), books, magazines, receipts from 20 years ago, along with a slew of odds and ends that no one could even identify.

Going through this burden at a time of grief is something no one should have to face. You can save your loved ones a lot of pain by beginning to organize and sort your belongings while you are able. For this, we can take a lot of wisdom from Lisa Hartsink’s mother, who, after moving 13 times, became the undisputed master of decluttering. 

Here are a few principles that will break what would otherwise be a massive project into easy, manageable tasks:

Start with small decisions often, rather than big decisions occasionally

Try to avoid the habit of putting things in boxes or tucking them away in drawers to deal with later. Decide right now whether to keep, donate, or discard it. You and your loved ones will thank you when those decision points become critical. 

Declutter regularly 

Sorting and organizing your belongings should never be a major event. Instead, think of it as a series of regular tasks, much like changing the batteries in the smoke detector or running the dishwasher through a clean cycle. Once a week, organize a closet or pick through a junk drawer. 

Avoid attachment to things 

Part of the reason we find it hard to let go of certain items is that there is a memory attached. Each represents a milestone or a cherished moment with a loved one. However, it’s the moment that matters, not the thing.

Throwing away the clutter can actually help honour the memory. Plus, your house will be cleaner and more enjoyable now. 

Master the art of staying organized

Even if you’re not throwing away items recklessly, you can still be organized and prepared to declutter at a moment’s notice. For example, we all have a few belongings with sentimental (or real financial) value that it makes sense to keep. That is okay – as long as you don’t mix them in with the rest of the clutter. 

If you look through your house at any given time, you can begin to mentally sort everything into certain categories. 

Functional and essential, but not sentimental 

These are the tools you use regularly, if not every day. These could include everything from kitchen gadgets and beauty products to wrenches and power tools.

All are valuable, but only to the extent that you actually use them. When they are no longer viable, it’s time to donate them to someone else who will benefit. 

Sentimental, but not functional

Children’s drawings and souvenirs from vacations are primary examples. They can really pile up and take over the house.

When things you cherish become so plentiful that they turn into clutter, it’s time to make some decisions. Pick out the few that matter most, and say goodbye to the rest. 

Once all of the legalities and plans are in place, preparing for an estate sale is similar to a standard real estate transaction. You can get even more details in the posts below:

Sentimental and functional

Precious family heirlooms, jewellery, and other valuable property fall into this category. It could even be an old mixer that has been passed down but still works like it’s brand new out of the box. These items may or may not have significant financial value, but one thing is certain; you would never part with them as long as you live. 

Just be sure that they remain separate from everything else and easy to identify as valuable. Most of all, be sure everyone knows who gets what. Even better, outline it clearly in your Will so there is no dispute or confusion. 

The truth is that no one likes talking about estate sales. It’s hard to say which part is harder, planning for your own end or thinking about someone you love no longer being here. 

Nevertheless, the topic is far less painful while you are still healthy and vibrant. By acting now, you protect your loved ones down the line. As soon as the task is complete, you can get back to creating even more memories to cherish for a lifetime. 

Do you have questions about estate sales or other life transitions? Our Georgetown real estate agents can help. Give us a call directly at 905-873-9944, email us at info@lisahartsink.com or fill out the form on this page to get in touch!