EstateMax- Our New Sister Company & Re-Sale Showroom!

EstateMax is the new name, the re-branding, for the full menu of estate and property services we will provide starting in 2015. EstateMax.net

I've been doing "this work" since 1999. Starting with Organization, Efficiency planning for interiors, Clean up of Homes, Re-arrangement of furnishings, staging and design consultation. I added estate liquidations within a few years because the need was apparent with my downsizing clients and the market was ripe with the greying of America. 

I've handled thousands of items for clients, sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of pre-owned possessions for estates and downsizing clients (one item at a time, at on-site estate sales), recycled thousands and thousands of items from properties and unfortunately trashed tons of non-usable possessions.

Now, I'm adding a re-sale showroom in Frederick, MD- to open in January 2015, to sell ends of estates, partial estates, pre-owned furnishings, decor, accessories, tools, vehicles, and anything that is sales-worthy!

 My newly appointed Director of Business Development, Steven R.Berryman, a seasoned pro in marketing and sales and sales management  of consumer goods, merchandising, construction estimating and business processes, is On Board as of December. 

We look forward to a new year in 2015 of productive transitions projects and processing lots more product sales through ON Site estate sales and IN Showroom sales. 

Please call Steve or I with your questions and requests. We welcome collaboration and referrals from realtors, estate and elder care attorneys, estate managers, physicians and social workers. 

We work hard to make our clients lives better. Let us know how you need us to help!  301-332-5585

MEDIA HOOKER: The Consumer Economy and Trends

http://mediahooker1.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-consumer-economy-and-trends-2014.html

You Say You Want to Have an "Estate Sale"?

Unlike most estate sale companies, I will sign a contract with a client to conduct their "estate" or "downsizing" sale before they have made final decisions on what they are retaining from the estate or home,  from the sale domicile. 

I've come to realize over the past decade that knowing exactly what will be there for sale, is secondary to the sale itself- meaning, the party is greater than the guest list.  It is, of course always preferred that what the client says will be for sale, on the initial visit to the property, will actually be on hand to sell, during the period of our contract. This is a rarity, however. The day I pick up the keys defines the "NO MORE REMOVAL" from the sale inventory. 

Most "estates" are typical in the assortment of inventory they contain with exceptions of course. The dining room set, the living room sofa, two to three chairs, coffee and end tables, den with much the same. Bedrooms...it all depends on the size of the home. 

Regardless, as the "Sales Agent" it is my task to sell as much as possible for the highest return. Period. 

The exceptional estates are what all of us estate sale companies want to find: those houses packed full of antiques, old documents, collectibles, fine art and great decorative items- those things that make us ( and our client) larger dollars. 

I have been conducting personal property liquidations for 14 years. It's hard work like nothing else I've done, other than house work, or maybe mucking out a horse barn.

It demands attention to detail, a knowledge of product of many, many types, antique or used, the ability to work under pressure, a true sense of planning and organization, physical strength, good general health, managerial skills to oversee staff, the ability to think fast, on your feet, to negotiate, to handle cash ( it belongs to the client and you better have it handled properly, ) and on. Ad nauseum. It is not "fun work", I hate to say it. It is demanding in most respects. The fun comes when I add the receipts and see if I have topped my personal goal.

Over the past few years, with the decrease in gainful employment and  the increase in Television shows about "pickers" and Pawn shops, I've seen a bunch of newbies to this industry in the DC Metro. Who are these companies and how does a client decide who to hire?

Here are a few basic considerations that I feel are important to uncover when hiring an estate sale company. 

• Who is the company? 
• How long have they been in business? 
• What is their knowledge base of furnishing and decor? What's their background? A lawyer, a tailor, a candlestick maker? What motivates them to do this?
• How do they know how to price the goods?
• References? Should have at least a half dozen very satisfied clients.
• Do they have a "pet" group of buyers they sell to first, therefore removing product from the floor before the sale starts? 
• How thorough is their marketing?
• How soon do you get paid after the sale is over?

I'll be happy to answer all these and more for you. Call me anytime. 301-332-5585. Laurie

In 2013 

Mission Transition 

and Ameri-Estates

 produced and expedited 10 estate sales- with the exception of January and December. 

Sales volume overall was a record for us- and it took total commitment to planning and organization, customer service and follow through. 

We pay our clients within 10 days of the end of their sale.(See our Angie's List Review page for our client's comments!)

 Our schedule was established a month to six weeks in advance. Every project has it's unique personality but most estates and downsizing sales have very similar qualities, too. 

We work for both small and large estate clients. Small jobs can be great treasure troves of antiques and collectibles; what dealers and the public are looking for. Family and estate representatives need professional help to liquidate these properties and clean up afterwards, and we are happy to do so.

The goal is always the same: To maximize returns for our client and minimize waste!

What doesn't get sold is donated to charity in the Washington DC Metro area OR, if the item(s) are of the quality that calls for consignment sales, we put them on-line or sell them at our TAG Sales in Frederick: The "Classique Trash" Tag Sales. 

Held several times a year, these sales are held at the Mission Transition headquarters, a stand alone row house in the historic district of Frederick MD, over a long weekend, arranged like a vintage and antique shop,  in the house, adjacent garage and parking lot. 

Please call us with all and any requests and questions regarding our services before you sign with the bigger guys.  

Since 1980 in the design and furnishing trades, since 1999 in transitions, staging and liquidations!