Even a well-run estate sale leaves something behind. Large furniture, half-full closets and the contents of the garage often outlast the last day of the sale. Planning for what’s left before the sale starts saves the family a second round of work.
Here are three ways to handle it.
1. Donate it, often with free pickup
Several local charities will pick up furniture and household goods at no charge, and your donation may be tax-deductible. Each charity sets its own rules. Restoring Hope Thrift Store in Wildwood, which benefits local combat veterans, picks up large items three days a week. It does not take mattresses, curio or china cabinets, entertainment centers or floral sofas. Habitat for Humanity’s Lake-Sumter ReStores schedule free pickups of furniture and appliances across Lake and Sumter Counties.
See every charity in our Donation Pickup listings, and call ahead to confirm what each one accepts.
2. Hire a cleanout crew
For whatever the charities won’t take, a cleanout crew can clear a few pieces or the entire house. Some crews donate usable items and recycle what they can. Others rent dumpsters to families who would rather do the work themselves. Ask each crew what gets donated, what gets recycled and what goes to the landfill.
Our Cleanouts & Junk Removal listings include six local crews.
3. Consign valuable pieces to an auction house
Antiques, art and collections sometimes bring more at auction than at an estate sale. Local auction houses take consignments, partial estates and whole-estate buyouts, with on-site and online sales. Florida auctioneers must hold a state license, so ask to see it.
Browse the auction houses in our directory.
Ask before you sign
Some estate sale companies include donation pickup and cleanout in their service. Others don’t. Asking up front tells you how much of this list you’ll need.
Want help deciding who to call? Call The Villages Estate Sales at (352) 436-8828.