Cleaning Out Your Parents House: Letting Go in Stages

The day you have dreaded for years is finally here. You have to clean out mom and dad's house. But where do you begin? Your elderly parents have a collection of what they call valuables and a lot of things you would rather just donate. But, how do you know what they mean by valuable? How valuable is that art glass? There is psychological value and there is market value.

We all get attached to certain things whether it is a favorite set of dishes or grandmother's rocking chair. It's tough to let go of our things used daily. That's why it's important your parents or elderly adults help choose the things they really want to keep and then help them let go of other things. This is an important part of the process that should not be skipped because they are psychologically saying goodbye to the memories as they let go of the items. It's also important to do this in a way that the elderly adult feels like the treasure is going to a good home and that he or she is making that choice, not you. It's an emotional time and there's a grieving process happening as possessions are assigned.

Letting Go Of Family Treasures

It's a big deal to let go of family treasures and furnishings. This is a process which needs to happen over time in stages. Do not be surprised if Mom or Dad wants you to have a certain piece because they can't bear to see it sold. Take it even if you don't want it.

Have A Plan Before You Let Go Of The Contents

Here are some ways to begin helping older adults make the transition to a smaller space.

1. Have immediate family members (adult children) come to the home and share memories and to go through belongings together.

2. Designate important belongings to come along into the new residence.

3. Consult an estate liquidation expert.

Members Of Online Antique Site Can Help You Learn The Value Of Your Item

A group of a 1000 members of I Antique Online enjoy discussing items they have found and can offer some friendly advice to others who are searching for some answers. It's a perfect group to present something to when you aren't familiar with the antiques and collectibles business as some of the dealer or collector members in the group.


Another Group Can Help Evaluate What You Have

Whadja Find is not a professional appraisal service. It's more like a group of friends who enjoy figuring out what you have and helping you identify and evaluate what you have.
With over 187 Collector groups on the site, there are plenty of other resources built into this
social network.

Don't Get Fooled

The Whadja Find Group is unique, because although it is made up of plenty of newbies, you will also find plenty of seasoned experts, antique dealers, authors, professional appraisers, estate liquidators, and plenty of helping hand types. With the power of this social network you will not only get some answers about your antiques and collectibles but also tons of members who are ready to buy what you have to sell. With thousands of people looking in, it's tough to get fooled.

What happens when people feel nervous about the economy, jobs, and the stock market? They go antiquing and invest in something they can touch, feel and understand. They buy second-hand, but true collectors are still collecting. High end buyers (those who buy the $50,000 sculpture), and the common collectors, like most of us, are still buying. Because people love to hunt for the next treasure and often find comfort in the hunt here are a few suggestions to help customers buy more at your estate sale.

1. Offer your customers tea or coffee along with doughnuts, pastries, or cake.
2. Fill old jars with penny candy. Customers will enjoy a bit of nostalgia.
3. Make sure there is a complete range of pricing to cater to all budgets.
4. Don't hesitate to sell. Ask customers what they are hunting for and tell stories about the items.
5. Staging areas to display items to be sold will maximize the sales potential.
6. Add color to the brown furniture.
7. Put interesting items out front such as an antique sled.