The short answer
Do not throw anything away in the first days. Confirm who has the legal right to sell, secure valuables and important papers, and let family choose keepsakes. Then sort the home into keep, sell, donate and dispose, get expert opinions on anything that might be valuable, and choose the right way to sell: an estate sale company, an auction house, specialist dealers, online and local sales, or a buyout. Donate, recycle and dispose of the rest responsibly.
Step 1: check who can sell
If the home belongs to someone who has died, the executor or administrator named under local law usually decides what is sold, and some items may be left to specific people in a will. If the owner is alive, they or their legal representative must agree. Rules differ by country and state, so if you are unsure, ask the solicitor or lawyer handling the estate before selling anything. Keep a record of what is sold and for how much.
Step 2: secure valuables and papers
- Gather jewelry, watches, coins, cash, keys and small valuables into one safe place.
- Collect documents: wills, deeds, bank and investment statements, insurance policies, tax records, receipts and certificates of authenticity.
- Look in unusual places: books, coat pockets, drawers, freezers, under drawer liners and in boxes marked as something else.
- Back up and keep phones, computers and photo storage until family has saved what they want.
Step 3: let family choose first
Give family members a clear way and time to choose keepsakes. A shared list with photos avoids misunderstandings. Settle who takes what before buyers or dealers see the contents.
Step 4: sort room by room
Work through each room and place items into four groups: keep, sell, donate and dispose. Our room-by-room guide to which household items are worth selling helps you decide quickly. Hold back anything you do not recognise rather than throwing it out.
Items that often deserve a closer look include jewelry and watches, silver, art, furniture by known makers, collections such as coins, stamps, records, cards and toys, cameras, musical instruments, tools, designer bags and clothing, and old books and paper.
Step 5: research and get expert opinions
Photograph each possibly valuable item, its marks and its condition, and check what similar items have sold for. For jewelry, art, antiques and large collections, get opinions from qualified appraisers or specialists before you sell, and more than one opinion for high-value pieces. An appraiser who charges a fee and does not offer to buy the item avoids a conflict of interest. Useful guides include jewelry, silver marks, furniture and paintings.
Step 6: choose how to sell
- Estate sale companies: organise, price and run a sale in the home for a commission. Ask about their fees, what happens to unsold items and how they handle valuables, and read the contract.
- Auction houses: suit valuable antiques, art, jewelry and collections. Ask about seller fees, insurance and reserve prices.
- Specialist dealers: for coins, stamps, records, books and similar collections. Get several offers.
- Online and local sales: more work, but you keep more of the price for good mid-value items.
- Buyouts: one buyer takes everything for one price. It is fast, but usually the lowest return. Take valuables out first.
- Garage or yard sale: for everyday items. See how to price a garage sale.
Step 7: donate, recycle and dispose
Charities may take furniture, clothes and household goods in good condition, and some offer collection. Keep receipts in case they matter for tax. Recycle electronics at proper points after wiping data, and check local rules for paint, chemicals, batteries and medicines. Firearms and some other regulated items must be handled according to local law, so ask the authorities or a licensed dealer. A clearance company can remove the rest.
Step 8: stay safe and organised
Do not leave valuables in the home during a public sale, keep a list of what has been sold, and be wary of buyers who turn up early, pressure you or offer to "take everything off your hands" before you know what is there.
Where WorthAI fits
When you are sorting a whole house, WorthAI helps you take a quick first look: scan an item to see its likely identity, an estimated range with a suggested asking price and the listings behind the estimate. Save items to your Collection so you have a record of what you checked. Use it to decide what needs a closer look, not as a formal appraisal, and ask an expert about anything that could be valuable.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first when clearing an estate?
Confirm who has the legal right to sell, secure valuables and important papers, and let family choose keepsakes before anything is sold or thrown away.
Is an estate sale company or an auction house better?
An estate sale company suits a full house of everyday and mid-value items, sold on site. An auction house suits valuable antiques, art, jewelry and collections. Many estates use both.
Should I accept a buyout for the whole house?
A buyout is fast but usually returns the least. Take out valuables, collections and anything you have not researched first, and get more than one offer.