If you’ve never been through a professional estate sale before, the process can feel like a mystery. What actually happens? How long does it take? What do you need to do?
Here’s a straightforward walkthrough of how we run an estate event at Palm & Sage — from the first phone call to the final check.
Step 1: The Consultation Call
Everything starts with a conversation. You tell us about your situation — the property, the timeline, what matters to you. We ask questions, listen carefully, and explain how the process works.
This call is free and takes about 20 minutes. No commitment, no pressure. Most families walk away with a clearer picture of their options even if they don’t move forward.
Step 2: The In-Home Walkthrough
If we’re a good fit, we schedule a paid in-home walkthrough. We go room by room, assessing what’s there: furniture, art, jewelry, collectibles, silver, everyday items — everything.
This is where we start identifying pieces that may have significant value. We take detailed notes and photos, and we discuss what the family wants to keep, donate, or sell.
Step 3: Research, Pricing & Curation
This is the part most estate sale companies rush through. We don’t.
Every item is researched against current market data. For specialty pieces — fine art, antiques, jewelry, watches — we bring in certified appraisers. Nothing is guesswork. Nothing is undervalued.
We then build a tailored strategy for the sale: how to stage the home, how to group items, which pieces to feature in marketing, and how to attract the right buyers.
Step 4: Marketing & Outreach
Before the sale opens, we’ve already been working behind the scenes:
Professional photography of key pieces and the staged home
Targeted outreach to our network of San Diego collectors, dealers, and design professionals
Listings on estate sale directories and digital platforms
Email campaigns to our qualified buyer list
The goal isn’t just foot traffic — it’s getting the right people through the door. Buyers who understand value and are ready to purchase.
Step 5: The Estate Event
Sale day is where everything comes together. The home is professionally staged, items are clearly priced, and our team manages every aspect of the event:
Security and crowd management
Checkout and payment processing
Customer questions and negotiations
Real-time inventory tracking
You’re welcome to be there, but you absolutely don’t need to be. Most families prefer to let us handle it.
Events typically run two to three days, depending on the size of the estate.
Step 6: Settlement & Clear-Out
After the sale closes, we provide a complete accounting: every item sold, every dollar accounted for. Proceeds are delivered promptly.
We then coordinate the remaining items — donations to local charities, consignment of select pieces, and a full property clear-out if needed. You get the keys back to a clean, empty home.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
From consultation to settlement, most estate events take two to four weeks. We can work on shorter timelines when the situation requires it — just let us know during the initial call.
The Bottom Line
A well-run estate event takes the burden off your shoulders entirely. You make the decisions. We handle everything else.
If you’re considering an estate sale in San Diego, we’re happy to walk you through what it would look like for your specific situation. The first call is free.