How to Successfully Shop Estate Sales: Insider Tips for Treasures and Deals

If you love finding unique items, antiques, or scoring great deals, estate sales can be a goldmine waiting to be explored. Shopping estate sales can be both fun and rewarding if you approach them strategically. But, if you aren’t prepared they can also cause a lot of anxiety and stress! In this guide, we’ll share insider tips on how to shop estate sales successfully and make the most of your treasure-hunting experience.

What Are Estate Sales?

Estate sales are events where the belongings of a household are sold, often due to downsizing, relocation, or settling an estate after someone passes away. These sales typically offer a wide range of items, from furniture and collectibles to household goods and artwork.

Why Shop Estate Sales?

  • Unique Finds: Estate sales often feature one-of-a-kind items you won’t find in big box stores.
  • Budget-Friendly: Prices are usually lower than retail, especially on the final day of the sale.
  • Eco-Friendly: Shopping second-hand reduces waste and gives items a new life.
  • Inventory: If you are an antique dealer or reseller estate sales are a great place to source inventory.

Tips for Estate Sale Shopping Success

1. Do Your Research

Before heading out, look for estate sales in your area using websites like EstateSales.net, social media, Facebook Marketplace, or local classifieds. Find a list for the Des Moines area below. Read the sale descriptions to see if they have items you’re interested in, such as vintage furniture, jewelry, or electronics. In today’s world, not only are estate sale organizers going to provide a list, but they will also share photographs of items, and many times provide a video walk through of the estate.

If you are there for a particular item, knowing the location of the item in the house can make the difference between you coming home with your saut after treasure or coming home empty handed. Study the video so you know where to head as soon as you enter the house. If they don’t provide a video then be sure to study the photos. What is on the walls and floor of the room the item you want is in. Is there a larger piece close by that you can scan for when you enter the home?

All of this research can come in handy with locating the piece you want most quickly. However, be advised that sometimes things get moved around before the sale, so just don’t just look for that one large piece to identify the room you want to shop first!!

Doing your research on a particular sale and/or estate sale company can help with so many things…do they give numbers? Do they limit the number of people in the house? Do they take a CC? Do things get marked down the longer the sale goes? When specifically do mark downs happen? Is there a checkout area or is it just one, or four, people walking around that can take your money?

2. Arrive Early (or Late)

  • Early Arrival: Being first in line gives you access to the best items before they’re snatched up. Many serious shoppers arrive hours early to secure their spot.
  • Late Arrival: On the last day of the sale, many items are discounted heavily. This is your chance to score bargains.

If you want to get the “best” stuff then go early! Here’s were #1 RESEARCH is going to come in handy. Do you sign your name on a sheet upon arrival and then you can go sit in your car? Do they pass out numbers at a certain time and then you can leave and come back when the sale starts? Do you have to stand in line because they don’t give numbers or do a sign up sheet?

If that is the case, dress accordingly! HOT? Sunglasses, sunblock, an outfit that breathes is a must! While in the winter you will need to bundle up! It’s hard to stay warm standing still! Invest in some little hand warmers! If you are going to be in line for hours, do you want a chair, bucket, blanket, etc? Have a game plan!

If you aren’t there for any particular item, then you might want to wait until later in the sale when things are discounted. Again, know your estate sale company. Some don’t discount the last day. Some have a gradual percentage decrease. You will want to do the research and know the best time for you to come.


Listen to What Happened At THIS Estate Sale


3. Bring the Right Tools

  • Cash: Some estate sales only accept cash, so bring small bills.
  • Measuring Tape: Handy for checking furniture dimensions.
  • Bags or Boxes: You might need these for carrying your purchases.

Having cash, particularly small bills, often allows you to skip the checkout line! Having the right amount often allows you to pay someone “floating” around the property. I always bring way more money than I want to spend, just in case. So bring extra, or bring some cash and if you find great things, pay for the rest with a check or credit card depending on what type of payment they accept!

If you are going for frames, furniture, artwork especially, then be ready with a tape measure! You probably also have a tape measurer in your pocket! Your phone! Although you probably have to download an app and spend some time figuring out how to do that. But, if you do that now, then you will be set for future estate sales!

I like to bring reusable bags like THESE or a tote like THIS. When I go to an estate sale, I want to buy stuff. That means that I am going to buy multiple items so trying to carry things by hand is not an option. Be prepared with some bags and even some extra bags or packing material so things don’t get broken as you continue to shop the house.

4. Inspect Items Carefully

Examine items closely for damage, wear, or missing parts. Estate sales are typically “as-is” sales, meaning all sales are final. If you are like me you can look at things and still miss flaws! So take that into consideration when buying.

I often go through a sale and grab things without too much thinking. Then, I will try to find a more empty room or even pop outside to sort my finds. Sunshine helps you with your inventory inspection and at this time I can make sure I am happy with everything I grabbed.

5. Negotiate (Politely)

Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, especially on larger items. The worst they can say is no. However, remember to be respectful—a polite approach often works better than aggressive haggling. The estate sale company is trying to get the estate owner the best deal for their items, but they are also trying to clear the house.

The more you go to an estate sale companies sales, and the more they get to know you then the more they are likely to negotiate. But even if you’ve never been, it’s okay to ask on larger, higher priced things especially.

6. Be Flexible & Nice

Sometimes, the best treasures are the ones you didn’t plan to find. Keep an open mind and be willing to explore beyond your initial list. That is the fun part of an estate sale!! You never know what will call your name.

Be nice and people will often behave nicely back. If you don’t get what you really wanted, there’s nothing you can do about it, so just move on. Is the home so crowded you can’t move? Just smile and say excuse me. Sometimes we have to all remember to take a deep breath because estate sales can bring out the crazy in all of us!!

7. Understand the Rules

Part of doing your research involves understanding the estate sale companies rules. Each estate sale has its own rules. Are you to remove tags of large items or tear half off, leave half. Do they have a holding area. Or are their any restrictions on holding items. I’ve even been to estate sales that wait and sell certain items at a certain time. Pay attention to these guidelines to avoid missing out.

Common Estate Sale Finds

You can find anything and everything at estate sales! That is one of the reasons they are so fun! While some of the “trash” is removed from a home before a sale, you are basically walking in to a persons home as is.

Whether you are a reseller like me, looking to make a profit, or just a collector of old cool junk, then estate sales are for you! If you are a person looking to supply a hobby, get your home organized, or stock up on discounted every day items like ziplock bags and cleaning supplies, then estate sales are for you! If you are looking to furnish your first home, grow your tool supply, or find a gently used kitchen gadget then estate sales are for you. Estate sales are filled with items that cater to everyone!

BUT!!! I strongly recommend you DO NOT tell people what you are there for! If they get to the piece and take it before you, then you are going to be upset. If you get something before someone else that you knew was there for the same thing, you’ll be upset. It’s just better to keep what item or items you are there for to yourself! Trust me!

In my latest YouTube video HERE. I talk about what happened at my last estate sale!!!

Estate Sale Companies In Des Moines, Iowa Area

In addition to estatesales.net and looking at Facebook Marketplace, here are some companies I am aware of in the area. If you know one I should add to my list, please let me know in the comments!

A House Full LLC.

AOK Estate and Tag Sales

Boomers Tag and Estate Sales

Burlap & Roses Tag and Estate Sales

Many Treasures

Pat Jones Tag Sales

Pieces from the Past – follow Jeremy Logue on FB Marketplace

Preserved LLC

Sales By Nan

Tangerine Zebra Tag and Estate Sales

Things Tag Sales

Final Thoughts

Shopping estate sales is more than just a way to save money—it’s an adventure. With the right preparation and a bit of luck, you can uncover unique treasures and score amazing deals. Whether you’re a seasoned estate sale hunter or a first-timer, these tips will help you navigate the process like a pro.

Start planning your next estate sale adventure today and see what treasures await!

Tell us below! What is a favorite estate sale find?

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This post may contain affiliate links for the products I use and recommend. I am not paid to promote these products. If you purchase using my affiliate links, I could make a small commission at no charge to you.

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