Working with Real Estate Professionals: A Partnership Approach to Estate Liquidations
Over the many years of conducting estate sales and auctions throughout northwest Pennsylvania, we’ve developed strong working relationships with real estate agents, attorneys, and executors who understand a fundamental truth: successful property sales often begin with successful estate liquidation.
Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional who’s worked with liquidation companies before or you’re encountering this need for the first time, understanding how professional estate liquidation fits into the property sale process can benefit both you and your clients significantly.
The Real Estate Challenge: Properties That Need Clearing
Real estate agents frequently encounter listings that come with a complication: the property is full of the previous owner’s possessions.
Common scenarios include:
- Estate sales where the deceased homeowner’s belongings remain in the property
- Senior transitions where homeowners are moving to assisted living or retirement communities
- Divorce situations requiring division and liquidation of household contents
- Foreclosures or short sales where personal property has been abandoned
- Out-of-state heirs who need property cleared before listing
- Properties that have been occupied by elderly owners for decades and contain a lifetime of accumulated possessions
In each case, the property can’t be effectively marketed, staged, or shown until contents are addressed. Potential buyers struggle to envision themselves in a home that’s filled with someone else’s furniture, collectibles, and personal items. Professional photography is impossible. Staging can’t happen. The property languishes on the market or can’t be listed at all.
This is where professional estate liquidation becomes essential to your success.
Why Professional Estate Sales and Auctions Benefit Real Estate Transactions
Faster time to market: Professional liquidation companies work on timelines that align with real estate listing schedules. We understand that days matter when properties need to be listed. Our typical timeline from initial contact to property clear-out is 4-6 weeks, with rush services available when circumstances require it.
Maximum property value: Empty, clean properties photograph better, show better, and typically command higher sale prices than cluttered homes. The investment in professional estate liquidation often pays for itself in improved property presentation and faster sales.
Revenue for sellers: Unlike junk removal services that charge fees to clear properties, professional liquidation sales generate revenue. The proceeds from selling furniture, household goods, collectibles, and personal property often cover the sale commission and provide additional funds to the seller.
Complete clearing: We don’t just sell valuable items and leave the rest. Our service includes complete property clearing—from attics to basements—leaving properties “broom clean” and ready for whatever comes next, whether that’s staging, repairs, or immediate listing.
Professional documentation: Executors and estate administrators require clear documentation of asset disposition. We provide detailed sales logs showing what sold and for how much—essential documentation for estate accounting and legal purposes.
Reduced liability: Working with fully insured and bonded estate sale professionals protects all parties. We handle items responsibly, conduct sales professionally, and maintain appropriate insurance coverage.
Stress reduction for clients: Your clients are often dealing with difficult circumstances—grief, family conflict, financial pressure, or complex logistics. Professional estate services remove one major stressor from their plate, allowing them to focus on other aspects of the transition, of which there are many.
How the Partnership Works: Our Process
When real estate professionals refer clients to Hiddenworth Group, here’s what the process typically looks like:
Phase 1: Initial Consultation (Week 1)
Contact and scheduling: The client (or you, if coordinating on their behalf) contacts us. We schedule a property walkthrough at the client’s convenience.
Property assessment: We conduct a thorough walkthrough, examining all areas including attics, basements, garages, and outbuildings. We’re assessing both value and volume—what’s worth selling, what can be donated, and what needs disposal. There are times when the liquidation value of the contents does not meet our minimum threshold for a sale, at which time we suggest other outlets for home clearing.
Client consultation: We discuss the client’s timeline, concerns, and specific needs. Are there family members who want to review items first? Is there a firm deadline for clearing? Are there items of particular sentimental or financial value that need special attention?
Proposal delivery: Within a few days, the client receives a proposal outlining our services, timeline, commission structure, and what’s included. This transparency helps everyone understand exactly what to expect.
Phase 2: Research and Preparation (Weeks 2-3)
Contract execution: Once the client agrees to move forward, we execute a clear contract that protects all parties.
Item research: We research valuable items, authenticate antiques and collectibles, and consult our network of specialists when appropriate. Items that might benefit from major auction house placement are identified and discussed with the client.
Pricing strategy: Based on current market conditions, we price items to sell while maximizing value. Our goal is efficient clearing at fair market prices. This is a balancing act of finding new homes for items while generating sales revenue.
Coordination with real estate agent: We communicate with you about timing, ensuring the sale schedule aligns with listing plans. If you need the property cleared by a specific date, we work backward from that deadline to structure our timeline appropriately. This is all dependent on the scope of the work.
Phase 3: Sale Preparation and Marketing (Week 4)
Sale staging: We organize and display items throughout the property for effective presentation and buyer flow. This isn’t just throwing things in rooms—it’s professional merchandising that maximizes both sales and buyer satisfaction.
Photography: High-value items are photographed for online auction platforms. The property is documented before and after for all parties’ records.
Marketing campaign: We promote the sale through our website, social media, email database, classified advertising on occasion, and specialized collector networks. Our established buyer base receives notification of sales that match their interests.
Phase 4: Sale Execution (Typically a Weekend)
On-site estate sale: Most sales run Friday through Sunday. We staff the sale completely, handle all buyer interactions, process payments, and manage property security. Not all estates are geared towards in-person/on-site sales.
Online auctions: High-value or specialized items are sold through online auction platforms that may run concurrent with or separate from the on-site sale, depending on strategy. Online auctions are now becoming the preferred method of estate liquidation in the last several years across the country.
Live auctions: Live auctions are typically reserved for specialty equipment, farms equipment with an online component to them.
Professional management: Our team manages everything from traffic control to customer service to loss prevention. The property is secured each night, and we maintain appropriate insurance throughout the process.
Phase 5: Property Clearing and Final Settlement (Final Week)
Removal of unsold items: Items that don’t sell are donated to appropriate local charities(Amvets, A Hand Up, Chosen), responsibly disposed of, or in some cases, sold in “lot” purchases to buyers interested in remainders.
Complete cleaning: We leave the property “broom clean” as specified in our contract. This includes removing all items, sweeping/vacuuming, and basic cleanup. The property is ready for whatever comes next—repairs, staging, immediate listing, or occupancy.
Documentation delivery: The client receives a complete estate sales log detailing all sold items and prices achieved. This documentation serves multiple purposes: estate accounting, tax preparation, and transparency about outcomes.
Financial settlement: We provide complete financial accounting and commission settlement according to our contract terms.
Property turnover: We coordinate with you regarding property access, keys, and timing. If staging or repairs are next, we ensure appropriate handoff.
Case Study: A Partnership Success Story
We often receive calls from condo owners or from individuals responsible for liquidating a condo where there are restrictions on sales. These typically need to be handled with the online auction method or taken off-site. We’ve worked with several real estate agents in the past with properties that have HOA restrictions. Last year, we worked with a local real estate agent from Coldwell Banker and the executor that lived out of town, on a challenging condo listing that was packed. We were able to conduct an online auction, donate leftovers and dispose of the garbage so the property could be properly repaired, pictured and advertised for the listing.
The challenge: Clear the property, identify valuable items, maximize estate value, and coordinate with contractors who needed access for repairs—all within six weeks.
Our approach: We conducted the initial assessment during the family’s brief visit to Erie, established a gameplan to empty the property, held an online auction of saleable items, donated useable items and removed the garbage.
The outcome: The property was cleared on schedule. The proceeds from the sale offset the cost of making a few needed repairs and the agent listed the property as planned.
This is what good partnerships look like.
What Real Estate Professionals Should Know
Timeline Expectations
Ideal scenario: 4-6 weeks from initial contact to property clearing allows for proper research, marketing, and execution. This timeline typically yields the best financial results.
Expedited services: When necessary, we can work more quickly. However, compressed timelines may affect financial outcomes since there’s less time for research and marketing. We’re honest about these trade-offs during initial consultations.
Seasonal considerations: Sale attendance is seasonal. Spring and fall typically see higher buyer turnout than mid-summer or deep winter. If timing is flexible, we can advise on optimal scheduling.
Commission Structure
Estate liquidators typically work on commission rather than flat fees. Commission rates vary based on several factors:
- Total value of estate contents
- Property location and accessibility
- Timeline constraints
- Specific services required
- Volume and complexity of contents
We provide clear, written commission structures during initial consultations. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
When to Refer Clients to Hiddenworth
Obvious situations:
- Properties full of furniture and household goods
- Homes occupied by deceased owners
- Senior downsizing before retirement community moves
- Estate settlements requiring asset liquidation
Less obvious but equally appropriate situations:
- Divorce situations requiring household division
- Properties that have been rental units for years with landlord-owned furnishings
- Foreclosures where personal property remains
- Properties inherited by out-of-state heirs
- Homes needing clearing before major renovations
- Properties where the owner was a collector or had significant hobbies (woodworking, crafting, etc.)
Let’s Work Together
The intersection of estate liquidation and real estate sales creates opportunities for partnerships that benefit everyone—especially clients navigating difficult transitions.
If you’re a real estate professional in northwest Pennsylvania who occasionally or frequently encounters properties requiring estate liquidation, we’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support your work and serve your clients effectively.
Whether you have a current situation that needs attention or simply want to establish a relationship for future needs, we’re here to help.
Getting Started: How to Refer Clients
Referring clients to Hiddenworth Group is simple:
Option 1: Direct referral
Give the client our contact information and have them mention your name when they call. We’ll provide excellent service and keep you informed about timing as appropriate.
Option 2: Coordinated contact
If you prefer to coordinate the introduction, contact us with basic information about the property and situation. We can discuss approach and timing before client contact.
Option 3: Joint consultation
For complex situations, we’re happy to participate in joint consultations where you, the client, and we discuss the overall plan together.
Questions Real Estate Professionals Frequently Ask
Q: How far in advance should clients contact you?
A: As far as you can. Ideally 4-6 weeks before they need the property cleared, but we can work with shorter timelines when necessary.
Q: What if there’s family conflict about items?
A: We’re experienced in these situations and work with executors, family mediators, or attorneys to navigate conflicts appropriately. We can accommodate family review periods before sales.
Q: What happens to items that don’t sell?
A: We donate to appropriate charities, arrange responsible disposal, or in some cases, facilitate “lot” sales of remainders. Properties are left completely cleared.
Q: Can you work around contractor schedules?
A: Yes, we coordinate with repair and renovation timelines regularly.
Q: Do clients need to be present during sales?
A: No. In fact, we encourage clients to not be present during the active sale. Similar to an open house for a property.
Our Commitment to Professional Partners
When you refer clients to Hiddenworth Group, you can count on:
- Prompt response to inquiries and consultation requests
- Clear communication about timelines and coordination needs
- Professional service that reflects well on your referral
- Respect for your client relationships
- Transparent business practices
- Appropriate updates about progress and completion
- Documentation and professionalism throughout
We understand that your reputation is on the line when you make referrals. We treat that trust seriously.
Ready to discuss a partnership or current client need?
Contact Hiddenworth Group:
- Phone: 814-504-9532
- Website: HiddenworthGroup.com
- Schedule a Consultation: https://hiddenworthgroup.com/consultation
Hiddenworth Group, providing professional estate and business liquidation services to families, executors, attorneys, and real estate professionals throughout northwest Pennsylvania.
PA Auctioneer License
AU006428
