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Most homeowners assume that every estate sale company has one simple goal: Sell as much as possible, for as much as possible, for the benefit of the estate. In a perfect world, that would always be true. But after many years in this business — and after quietly visiting a lot of other estate sales when my wife and I are “off duty” — I’ve noticed a pattern that most families would never  see unless they’d spent years inside the industry. This article is not about accusing any

When people start looking for an estate sale company, the first thing they usually see is a list of businesses with star ratings, ads, and polished websites. That’s understandable. When you’re overwhelmed, stressed, or in the middle of a big life transition, you just want to find someone who looks reputable and get the process moving. But here’s the honest truth: Star ratings and marketing tell you very little about how an estate sale company will actually perform. Two compan

People often ask us, “How much do you think this estate sale will make?” It’s a fair question — and it’s also one that deserves an honest answer. The truth is, an estate sale is a market event . There are a lot of things no one can control: weather, time of year, buyer turnout, competing events, and even just the general mood of the market that weekend. Because of that, no one can truly promise a specific result . If we had a crystal ball, we’d probably be doing something els

Most people assume that all estate sale companies basically do the same thing: They come in, put price tags on things, open the doors, and whatever sells… sells. After doing this for a long time, I can tell you that’s not even close to the full story . Two different estate sale companies can sell the same house  and produce very different results  for the homeowner. Sometimes the difference is thousands — even tens of thousands — of dollars. So, what actually makes the diffe

Most estate sale companies will tell you that an estate sale is the right solution for almost every situation. We won’t. At Afternoon Estate Sales , we regularly turn down estates  or recommend other options  — not because we don’t want the work, but because an estate sale is not always the smartest financial or emotional decision. And doing the wrong thing at the wrong time can cost families money, time, and unnecessary stress . Let’s talk honestly about when an estate sal

When families call us at Afternoon Estate Sales, almost every conversation starts the same way: “We’ve never done this before, and we’re not really sure how it works.” That’s completely normal. But unfortunately, the estate sale world is full of bad advice, half-truths, and persistent myths  — and believing the wrong ones can quietly cost an estate thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars . Let’s clear the air. Below are the most common estate sale myths  we see — and

How Professional Estate Sale Pricing Works (And Why Guessing Costs You Money) One of the biggest concerns homeowners have when planning an estate sale is simple: “How do you know what to price everything at?” A lot of pricing mistakes don’t come from bad intentions — they come from bad assumptions. We’ve listed the most common and expensive ones here: 15 Estate Sale Myths That Actually Cost Families Money . And that concern is justified. Pricing is the single

If you’ve never been through an estate sale before, the process can feel overwhelming. Most families come to us during a major life transition — downsizing, moving, or after the loss of a loved one — and they’re not just dealing with stuff. They’re dealing with decisions, stress, time pressure, and emotions . Understanding how the estate sale process works from start to finish makes everything easier. This guide will walk you through the entire estate sale process , step by

Why We Start Our Estate Sales at 12:00 PM When homeowners are choosing a Dallas estate sale company , one of the most important — and most overlooked — factors is how the sale is actually structured . The schedule, the flow of buyers, and even the opening time can have a real impact on how well an estate performs. At Afternoon Estate Sales, we don’t design our sales around what’s convenient for us. We design them around buyer behavior , because more buyers, better timing, a

If you’ve inherited silverware, serving pieces, jewelry, or decorative items, one of the most common questions is: “Is this actually worth anything?” When the item is marked “Sterling”  or “925,”  the short answer is: Yes — sterling silver has real, measurable value. But how much it’s worth — and how it should be handled  — depends on several important factors. What Sterling Silver Actually Is Sterling silver is not plated. It is solid silver alloy . 925   or Sterling  means:

(And Why It Usually Hurts Value) One of the most common questions people ask after inheriting coins or finding an old collection is: “Should I clean these before selling them or having them evaluated?” The honest answer, in most cases, is: No. Cleaning old coins usually hurts their value — sometimes dramatically. Even though it feels natural to want coins to look bright and shiny, cleaning is one of the fastest ways to permanently reduce what they’re worth . Why People Want

One of the most common questions people ask when they inherit coins or find an old jar of change is: “How do I know if any of these coins are actually silver?” This is an important question, because silver coins can be worth many times more than face value , while clad coins are usually only worth what they spend for. The good news is there are several simple ways to tell the difference . First: What Does “Silver” vs “Clad” Mean? Silver Coins Older U.S. coins were made with r

What Does “925” Mean on Silver? (And Is It Real Silver?) If you’ve ever looked at the back of a ring, bracelet, spoon, or serving piece and seen the number “925” , you’ve probably wondered what it actually means — and whether the item is really made of silver. The short answer is: “925” means the item is sterling silver. That means it is real silver . But let’s explain exactly what that means, how it compares to silver-plated items, and why this mark matters so much. What “92

What Does EPNS Mean on Silver? (And Is It Real Silver?) If you’ve ever looked at the back of a serving tray, teapot, or silverware and seen the letters “EPNS” , you’re not alone in wondering what it means — and whether the item is actually made of silver. The short, honest answer is: EPNS does not mean solid silver. But it also doesn’t automatically mean the item is worthless. Let’s explain what EPNS really means and how it affects value. What EPNS Actually Means EPNS  stands

What Does “750” Mean on Gold? (And Is It Better Than 585?) If you’ve ever looked at a ring, bracelet, or necklace and seen the number “750”  stamped inside, you’re probably wondering what it means — and whether it indicates real gold. The short answer is: “750” means the item is 18-karat gold. But what does that actually mean in real-world terms, and how does it compare to marks like 585  (14K)? Let’s break it down in plain English. What “750” Actually Means Many countries ma

This is a very common and very important question we hear during estate sale consultations: “Is this gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry worth anything?” The honest answer is: Usually, not much — at least not for the gold content. But there are important exceptions, and understanding the difference can help you avoid overestimating or underestimating  what you have. First, Let’s Define the Terms Not all jewelry that looks like gold is solid gold. There are three very different

What Does “585” Mean on Gold? (And Is It Real Gold?) If you’ve ever looked closely at a ring, necklace, or bracelet and seen the number “585”  stamped inside, you’re not alone in wondering what it means. This is a very common marking , and it shows up frequently in estates — especially on older or imported jewelry. The short answer is: “585” means the item is 14-karat gold. But there’s more to it than that and understanding what this mark means can help you avoid mistaking re

How to Tell If Your Jewelry Is Costume or Real (And Why It’s Harder Than You Think) “None of the jewelry is real — it’s all just costume.” This is one of the most common things we hear during estate sale consultations. In reality, that is almost never true. Over the years, we’ve walked into many homes where families were convinced their jewelry had little or no value, only to discover $2,000–$3,000 or more in real gold, silver. diamonds, and gemstones  hidden among costume pi

One of the most common assumptions homeowners make when preparing for an estate sale is that furniture will be the biggest value driver  in the home. After all, many of these pieces were expensive when purchased, and some have been in the family for decades. The reality is more complicated — and in many cases, surprising. Over the last several years, the furniture market has changed dramatically. Styles, tastes, home sizes, and buyer behavior have all shifted. As a result, wh

Why Professional Estate Sales Run Three Days — And How the Market Finds the True Value of Everything. Many people walk into an estate sale and wonder: “Why isn’t everything discounted on the first day?” Why does this take three days instead of one big blowout?” The answer is simple: A professionally run estate sale is not a clearance sale. It is a carefully designed market strategy meant to maximize value for the estate while still being fair to buyers. At Afternoon Estate S