You’re staring at a lifetime of belongings wondering how you’ll fit it all into your new, smaller space. I’ve seen this scenario play out hundreds of times with Pittsburgh families preparing for a move. The truth is, an estate sale before moving can turn your downsizing headache into extra cash—but only if you plan it right.
Let me walk you through exactly how to coordinate an estate sale with your move so you can start fresh without the stress.
Why Have an Estate Sale Before Moving?
Here’s something most people don’t realize: moving costs are directly tied to how much stuff you’re hauling. Every box, every piece of furniture, every item adds to your bill. However, hosting an estate sale before moving gives you three big advantages.
First, you’ll actually make money instead of spending it to move items you don’t need. Second, you’ll reduce your moving costs—sometimes by thousands of dollars. Third, you’ll arrive at your new place ready to start fresh instead of drowning in boxes of stuff you should’ve left behind.
An estate sale isn’t just for people who’ve inherited property or experienced a loss. In fact, about 60% of estate sales are actually “living estate sales” for people downsizing by choice. Whether you’re moving into a condo, relocating for work, or just simplifying your life, an estate sale can work for you.
Timeline: When to Start Planning Your Estate Sale
Timing is everything when you’re juggling an estate sale before moving. Therefore, I recommend starting the planning process at least 6-8 weeks before your moving date. This gives you enough breathing room to make smart decisions instead of panicked ones.
Here’s a realistic timeline that works:
8 weeks out: Contact estate sale companies for consultations and book your preferred date. Most reputable companies are booked 1-2 months in advance, so don’t wait.
6 weeks out: Begin sorting items into three piles—keep, sell, and donate. Don’t throw anything away yet; items you think are worthless might surprise you.
4 weeks out: The estate sale company will start researching and pricing your high-value items. This includes furniture, art, jewelry, and collectibles.
2-3 weeks out: The company will set up and stage your home for the sale. Additionally, they’ll handle all the marketing and advertising.
Sale weekend: Most estate sales run Friday through Sunday with daily markdowns. Items typically start at fair market value and drop 25% on day two.
Post-sale: The company removes unsold items and writes you a check, usually within a few days.
The key is planning your move-out date after the estate sale wraps up. This way, you’re not scrambling to coordinate movers while shoppers are browsing through your home.
Choosing the Right Estate Sale Company
Not all estate sale companies operate the same way, and choosing the wrong one can cost you money. For example, most companies take a 30-35% commission on gross sales, but some use sliding scales where higher sales mean lower percentages.
When interviewing companies, ask these specific questions:
What’s your commission structure, and is it negotiable? How do you price items—do you have certified appraisers on staff? What insurance do you carry to protect my home during the sale? How do you handle unsold items—will I be stuck with them?
A professional company should provide references, show you examples of past sales, and walk through your home to give you a realistic estimate of potential earnings. Moreover, they should explain their marketing strategy. In 2025, the best companies use a mix of online listings, email newsletters, and social media to attract serious buyers.
Don’t be fooled by promises that sound too good to be true. If a company guarantees you’ll make $20,000 but won’t show you comparable sales data, that’s a red flag. Average estate sales gross between $10,000-$18,000, depending on inventory quality and quantity.
Smart Pricing Strategies That Actually Sell Items
Pricing for an estate sale before moving is completely different from selling items online. You can’t wait months for the perfect buyer to find your vintage lamp on eBay. Instead, you need to move inventory quickly over a 2-3 day window.
This means pricing items at fair market value—not retail, not what you paid for them, and definitely not what they mean to you emotionally. Fair market value is roughly 30% less than what similar items sell for online, simply because you’re working with local buyers in a compressed timeframe.
Here’s how professional companies typically price different categories:
Everyday items like dishes, linens, and glassware: 10-20% of original retail value. If you can find multiples of something at a thrift store, price it to move quickly.
Furniture: Condition and trendiness matter most. Mid-century modern pieces command premium prices in 2025, while traditional brown furniture struggles. A quality piece in good condition might fetch 30-40% of its original price.
Collectibles and antiques: These require research using eBay sold listings, auction results, and price guides. However, remember that you’re selling locally, so price 20-30% below what collectors pay online.
Jewelry and art: Consider getting formal appraisals for high-value pieces. The documentation helps buyers feel confident and can justify higher asking prices.
One strategy that works well is the markdown schedule. Day one captures buyers willing to pay top dollar. On day two, a 25% discount brings in bargain hunters and gives first-day shoppers a reason to return. By Sunday, deeper discounts clear out the rest.
Coordinating Your Estate Sale With Your Move
Here’s where things get tricky—you need to coordinate three moving parts: the estate sale, your actual move, and setting up your new place. The biggest mistake people make is booking movers before the estate sale happens.
Instead, schedule your moving day for 3-5 days after the estate sale ends. This buffer gives you time to handle any unsold items and gives the estate sale company time to clean up and clear out.
Before the estate sale starts, clearly mark everything you’re keeping. I recommend physically moving keep items to a locked room or garage. Use bright tape or stickers that can’t be confused with price tags. Estate sale companies work fast, and items can accidentally get included in the sale if they’re not clearly separated.
When it comes to the actual move, working with an experienced Pittsburgh moving company makes all the difference. Professional movers understand that post-estate-sale relocations are different—you’ve already downsized, so the move should be more efficient. They can also provide storage solutions if your closing dates don’t align perfectly.
Think about this coordination from a practical standpoint. You don’t want to pay movers to transport items to storage, then move them again to your new home. Plan your estate sale timeline so you’re moving directly from your current place to your new one with only the items you truly need.
What Happens to Unsold Items?
Even the best-planned estate sales leave some items behind. Therefore, you need a clear plan for dealing with remnants before the sale starts.
Most estate sale companies offer “cleanout” or “broom sweep” services. A cleanout means they’ll remove remaining furniture and items for a fee. A broom sweep is exactly what it sounds like—they literally sweep the place clean and haul away everything, leaving the house ready for new owners or your realtor.
Some companies have buyout agreements with liquidators who purchase all remaining items for a lump sum. The price won’t be great—maybe 10-20% of the items’ estate sale value—but it solves your problem instantly.
You can also donate unsold items to local charities. If you itemize your taxes, you can deduct the fair market value of donated goods. Just remember to get receipts and photograph items before donation. The IRS is strict about documentation for deductions over $500.
Whatever you do, don’t leave this decision until after the sale ends. Ask your estate sale company upfront what they include in their service package regarding cleanup and removal. Some companies include basic cleanout in their commission, while others charge extra. Get this in writing.
Maximizing Profits From Your Estate Sale
Want to know the real secret to making good money from an estate sale before moving? It’s not about having expensive items—it’s about volume and variety.
Buyers love estate sales because they can find everything from kitchen gadgets to power tools in one place. The woman buying your vintage dishes might spot your husband’s old toolbox and grab that too. This cross-selling effect means more items in your inventory equals higher overall sales.
That’s why professional companies tell you to leave everything for them to evaluate. Those old fishing lures in the garage? Someone collects them. The half-used cosmetics in your bathroom? Believe it or not, they sell. Even lightbulbs and cleaning supplies move at estate sales.
To maximize your profits, attend an estate sale in your area before yours starts. You’ll see how professionals stage items, create attractive displays, and price things to encourage buying. Notice how they group related items and use tables instead of leaving things in boxes.
Another profit-booster is timing your sale seasonally. Patio furniture sells better in spring and summer. Holiday decorations move fast in fall. Garden tools are hot items in early spring. If your moving timeline is flexible, align your estate sale with seasonal demand for your most valuable items.
Finally, market your own sale beyond what the company does. Post about it on neighborhood Facebook groups and Nextdoor. Tell friends and family. The more qualified buyers who walk through your door, the more you’ll sell.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve watched people sabotage their own estate sales by making these preventable mistakes. Don’t be one of them.
Throwing items away before the professionals assess them. That dusty box in the attic might contain vintage postcards worth hundreds of dollars. Let the experts decide what’s junk.
Pricing items based on emotional attachment. Your grandmother’s china set has sentimental value to you, but buyers only care about condition and current market demand. Price realistically or watch items sit unsold.
Waiting until the last minute. Booking an estate sale company two weeks before your move leaves you with limited options and potentially rushed pricing. Start early.
Not clarifying the contract terms. Make sure you understand exactly what the commission covers, who’s responsible for advertising, and what happens to unsold items. Get everything in writing.
Failing to secure your personal items. Lock up medications, important documents, family photos, and anything with personal information. Estate sales bring strangers into your home, and while companies have insurance, prevention is smarter than filing claims.
Additionally, don’t expect retail prices. Estate sale shoppers are hunting for deals—that’s the whole point. Your items will sell for 20-40% of retail value at best. Accept this reality upfront and you won’t be disappointed.
Is an Estate Sale Right for Your Move?
An estate sale before moving makes the most sense if you have a substantial amount of furniture and household goods to liquidate. If you’re moving from a large family home to a smaller condo, it’s probably perfect for you.
However, if you’re a minimalist with just a few pieces to sell, an estate sale might not be worth the effort. In that case, selling items individually through Facebook Marketplace or having a garage sale could work better.
Estate sales also shine when you’re dealing with inherited property or moving long distances. Shipping furniture across the country is expensive—sometimes more than the furniture is worth. Selling locally and buying new items at your destination often makes more financial sense.
The emotional benefit of an estate sale is huge too. Instead of agonizing over every item and making hundreds of individual decisions, you hire professionals to handle it all. They price, stage, sell, and clean up while you focus on planning your new chapter.
Ready to Start Fresh?
Planning an estate sale before moving takes effort, but the payoff is worth it. You’ll arrive at your new home with less clutter, more money, and a clean slate to start this next phase of your life.
The key is starting early, choosing the right estate sale company, and coordinating the timeline with your move. Give yourself at least 6-8 weeks to do it right. Work with professionals who understand both the estate sale process and the logistics of coordinating with your relocation.
When you’re ready to make your move, having an experienced team in your corner makes everything smoother. From helping you time your estate sale perfectly to handling the actual relocation with care, professional support turns a complicated process into a manageable one.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help coordinate your estate sale timeline with your moving plans. As Pittsburgh’s hometown movers since 1982, we’ve helped hundreds of families downsize and relocate successfully. Let’s make your move the smoothest one yet.
