What to Do With Estate Sale Leftovers
Estate sales can be an excellent way to find new homes for cherished items, but what happens when the sale is over, and you’re left with a house full of estate sale leftovers? 20% of items at an estate tag sale will likely need to be disposed of or donated. This often leaves families with the challenge of figuring out what to do with the remaining items.
Whether you’re dealing with a few household items or a significant amount of personal property, handling these leftovers can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, in this guide, we'll give you plenty of options to provide those items with a new purpose!
7 Options for Handling Estate Sale Leftovers
Donate
One of the most meaningful ways to deal with estate sale leftovers is to donate them. Thrift stores, like your local Goodwill, can take your unsold items and guarantee that they find a new home while supporting a good cause. Donating unsold items to charitable organizations after liquidating an estate also helps reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices while giving back to the community.
Giving away leftover items can also be particularly rewarding if the estate owner has a passion for helping others. Imagine how much joy those unused items could bring to someone who really needs them. For example, donating clothes, furniture, or other items to Goodwill means you’re supporting their mission to create jobs and provide training for people in your community. It’s a win-win!
Goodwill even offers a convenient way to donate through its partnership with Resupply. This service picks up your items directly from your location, making it easier than ever to ensure that items from the estate are given a second life.
Sell
If you’re looking to make a little extra cash, selling your leftover estate sale items is another great option. Even after the sale, there are still potential buyers out there who might be interested in what you have. You can list these items online or consider hosting a community garage sale to attract bargain hunters.
For those with valuable items, working with an estate sale company or estate liquidator can help you get fair pricing and reach a broader audience. These professionals also have many connections with antique dealers and auction houses, making it easier to sell items that didn’t move during the initial sale. The key is to be patient and flexible with the pricing, as some items may take a little longer to find the right buyer.
Upcycle or Recycle
If selling or donating isn’t an option, consider upcycling or recycling your remaining items. Upcycling allows you to transform unwanted items into something new and useful, giving them a second life. For example, instead of getting rid of old furniture you can refurbish or repurpose it into something that's entirely different, like a bookshelf made from an old ladder.
Recycling is another environmentally friendly option, especially for items that are no longer functional. Many of its individual materials, like metal and wood, can be recycled and used in new products. This approach not only reduces waste but also supports sustainable living by keeping items out of landfills.
Hire Estate Sale Cleanout Services
If the idea of handling leftover items on your own feels overwhelming, hiring an estate cleanout service might be the best route for you. These professionals specialize in clearing out estates so that all your remaining items are properly sorted, donated, sold, or disposed of.
Estate sale cleanout services can be particularly helpful if you’re short on time or if the estate is large and filled with a wide variety of items. They’ll handle everything from junk removal to organizing valuable items for sale, making the entire process much more manageable. Plus, with their experience, they’ll ensure that nothing of value is overlooked or disposed of.
Buyout
Another option to consider is an estate buyout, where an estate liquidator or a real estate agent offers to purchase all of the remaining items for a lump sum. This can be a quick and efficient way to clear out the estate, especially if you’re looking to finalize the sale of your property.
While a buyout might not give you the highest return, it does provide peace of mind knowing that the leftover items are being handled professionally. This option is often ideal for those who want to move on quickly without dealing with the hassle of individually selling or donating each item.
Keep Them
Sometimes, the best option is to keep certain items, especially those that have sentimental value. While it’s important to downsize, a few pieces may hold significant memories or could be passed down to future generations. In these cases, taking the time to carefully select which items to keep can also be a good way to honor the estate owner’s legacy.
Storing these items properly or incorporating them into your home decor can keep the memories alive while still reducing clutter. Just be sure to avoid holding on to too much, as it’s easy to let sentimental items pile up, defeating the purpose of your estate sale.
Dispose Safely
Safe disposal is important for items that can’t be sold, donated, or recycled. Household items like paint, batteries, and electronics often require special handling to be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
Contacting local disposal services or a professional junk removal company can help you handle the regulations surrounding hazardous materials so that everything is handled properly. Safe disposal not only protects the environment but also prevents potential harm to those handling your items.
Giving Your Loved One's Items a New Purpose with Goodwill
When it comes to estate sale leftovers, donating to your local Goodwill is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved one’s items find a new purpose. By choosing to donate, you’re not only clearing out space but also contributing to a mission that supports community growth and sustainability. Every item you donate helps create jobs, provide training, and fund programs that make a difference in people’s lives.
So, the next time you’re faced with a house full of estate sale leftovers, remember that you have the power to turn those remaining items into something impactful. Whether it’s through donating, selling, upcycling, or safe disposal, there’s a way to handle every item with care and consideration.
Sources:
eCommerceBytes. (2018). Auctions and estate tag sales: What every person must know. https://www.ecommercebytes.com/guides/buying-tips/auctions-and-estate-tag-sales-what-every-person-must-know/
Habitat for Humanity. (n.d.). What is upcycling? https://www.habitat.org/stories/what-is-upcycling