An Auctioneer’s Perspective | GoBidToday | Grangeville, Idaho
When families begin settling an estate, one of the first questions they ask is: What items are actually worth selling at an estate auction?
The answer might surprise you. Some of the strongest-selling items aren’t antiques, collectibles, or expensive household furnishings. Tractors, vehicles, skid steers, trailers, firearms, tools, farm equipment, jewelry, and everyday items can all attract serious buyer interest.
With 40 years of experience in the auction industry, Earl Musick of GoBidToday.com has seen firsthand how much the market can vary. One of the biggest misconceptions families have is that an item’s age automatically determines its value.
We asked Earl to share his experience, opinions, and advice for families preparing to sell an estate.
1. What items typically sell best at an estate auction?
There isn’t one category that always brings the highest prices. In our experience, several categories consistently attract buyer interest.
Examples include:
Firearms and ammunition
Tractors and farm equipment
Vehicles, ATVs, and skid steers
Utility and equipment trailers
Tools and shop equipment
Hunting and outdoor sporting goods
Jewelry
Coins and collectibles
Household furnishings and appliances
The important thing to remember is that buyers are looking for different things. An item that might not interest one bidder could be exactly what another buyer has been searching for.
“There’s a market for a lot more than just antiques and collectibles. Equipment, vehicles, tools, firearms, and practical items can all attract strong buyer interest.”
— Earl Musick
2. What determines how much an item will sell for?
Three things play a major role in determining what an item brings at auction:
The item itself: What is it? Is it a desirable brand, model, or type of equipment?
Condition: Is it working? Has it been maintained? Does it need repairs?
Buyer demand: How many people are interested in purchasing it?
All three are important. Even items may not bring what someone expects if there isn’t enough buyer interest. On the other hand, an item can bring surprisingly good money when multiple bidders compete.
This is one advantage of an auction. Rather than relying on one person’s opinion of what something is worth, competitive bidding allows interested buyers to establish the selling price.
3. What can an auction do for an estate's most valuable assets?
Families don't necessarily underestimate the items themselves. What they may underestimate is an auction's ability to produce the highest possible price for an estate's most valuable assets.
A few years ago, GoBidToday conducted an estate auction outside of Grangeville, Idaho. The estate included a low-mileage diesel pickup, a John Deere tractor in excellent condition with low hours, and a dump trailer.
All three of those items brought more money at auction than the gentleman had originally paid for them brand new. That's a great example of what can happen when valuable assets are marketed to the right buyers and sold through competitive bidding.
An experienced auction company understands how to present these assets, reach interested buyers, and create the competition that can drive the final selling price.
4. Does old automatically mean valuable?
Absolutely not.
One of the biggest misconceptions in estate liquidation is that something must be valuable simply because it is old or has been in the family for generations.
Think about china sets, silverware, china hutches, and older decorative household furnishings. Fifty years ago, many of these items were highly desirable. Today, buyer preferences have changed.
Gen X and younger generations generally aren’t collecting or furnishing their homes the same way previous generations did. As a result, some items that families expect to bring substantial money may have considerably less demand.
“Just because something is old doesn’t make it valuable. You have to look at what today’s buyers actually want.”
— Earl Musick
This doesn’t mean older items have no value. It means value depends on current demand, condition, desirability, and competition—not simply age.
5. Should an estate auction be held onsite or at an auction barn?
This is an important decision, and there isn’t one answer that works for every estate.
GoBidToday operates an auction barn where items can be transported and sold at its primary location. However, sometimes families bring items to the auction facility, while other estates are better suited for an onsite auction.
In Earl’s experience, certain items can bring more money in their natural environment, particularly when buyers can see equipment and larger items where they are located.
There are also logistical considerations. Moving tractors, vehicles, trailers, shop equipment, and large quantities of personal property can be expensive and difficult.
The best option depends on the estate, the items being sold, accessibility, and the family’s circumstances.
“Give me a call. I’ll walk through the estate with you, learn about any limitations or concerns you have, and help you determine the best option for your situation.”
— Earl Musick
6. What is one of the biggest mistakes families make when selling an estate?
One mistake Earl cautions families about is accepting private offers from people who approach them with promises to pay more than they would receive at auction.
You’ve probably heard the line: “I’ll pay you more than you’ll ever get at an auction.”
But why would someone offer to pay more than an item is worth in a competitive marketplace?
Earl generally advises families not to sell individual items privately outside the auction process without first talking with their auction company.
There is another important consideration: pulling desirable items out of an estate can reduce interest in the remaining auction. If someone purchases the most desirable equipment or firearms privately, other potential bidders may lose interest in attending or participating.
Keeping the estate together allows the auction company to market the complete offering and attract buyers interested in multiple categories.
7. Should you have an auctioneer look through an estate before throwing things away?
Yes!
This is one of the most important recommendations for anyone preparing to settle an estate.
Before throwing things away, donating items, or selling them privately, have an experienced auctioneer walk through the property.
Something that looks ordinary or insignificant to a family might be exactly what a buyer is looking for.
Auctioneers work with a wide variety of buyers and see firsthand what attracts interest. Having someone evaluate the estate early can help prevent potentially marketable items from being discarded.
It also gives the family an opportunity to discuss the property’s contents, logistics, concerns, and possible selling arrangements before making major decisions.
8. Why choose an auction instead of a yard sale or estate sale?
This is where Earl believes the auction method offers one of its biggest advantages.
A traditional yard sale or estate sale generally attracts a much smaller group of buyers than a well-marketed auction. An auction can attract hundreds of potential bidders, depending on the items, marketing, and location.
With a traditional sale, families may spend an entire weekend selling the most underpriced items, only to discover that more than half of the estate remains unsold. There is also the time and effort required of the personal representative or family member responsible for managing the sale.
An auction works differently:
Buyers compete against one another.
Competitive bidding helps establish market value.
The auction company handles marketing and the selling process.
Items are offered through an organized sale.
Once the auction is complete, the family has a documented record of the transactions and can move forward with settling the estate.
For personal representatives handling probate, having organized sales records and documented transactions can be particularly helpful.
“The auction method forces competition between buyers. Instead of negotiating with one person at a time, you have interested buyers competing for the items. That competition is what helps establish true market value.”
— Earl Musick
9. Should families sell valuable items separately before the auction?
Generally speaking, Earl recommends allowing the auction company to handle the entire estate.
There are exceptions, however. Certain specialty items may be better marketed to a smaller, more specific group of buyers.
Examples include:
Expensive artwork
Rare specialty collectibles
High-value items with a very limited buyer market
Items requiring specialized marketing or expertise
An honest and experienced auction company should be willing to tell you when something might be better marketed differently.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to sell everything the same way. The goal should be to find the best selling approach for the items and the estate as a whole.
10. How do you choose the right estate auction company?
Not every auction company is created equal.
Before hiring an auctioneer, do your research. Ask questions, talk to people around town, and find out about the company’s reputation.
If you’re working with an attorney during the probate process, they may also have valuable insight into which auction companies have experience handling estates.
You should also look into professional credentials and designations:
CAI – Certified Auctioneers Institute: An advanced professional designation for auctioneers.
AARE – Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate: A professional designation focused on real estate auctions.
CES – Certified Estate Specialist: Specialized education for auctioneers handling estate property.
Experience, reputation, marketing ability, communication, and honesty all matter when choosing someone to handle an estate.
You are trusting that company with someone’s belongings, often accumulated over an entire lifetime. Take the time to find the right fit.
A final word from Earl Musick
If you’re facing the responsibility of settling an estate, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Before you start throwing things away, accepting private offers, or trying to organize a weekend yard sale, talk with an experienced auctioneer.
Every estate is different. Some are best handled at an auction facility, while others make more sense onsite. Some specialty items may need a different marketing approach.
The important thing is having someone who understands the auction business and can help you make informed decisions.
At GoBidToday, we encourage families to start with a conversation.
Give Earl Musick a call. He’ll walk through the estate with you, discuss your options, and help determine the best approach for your situation.
HAVE AN ESTATE YOU NEED TO SELL?
Call Earl Musick: 208-284-4797
Visit: GoBidToday.com
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Editorial Note: Quotes in this draft are based on the answers provided and should be approved by Earl before publication. Auction documentation may be helpful during probate, but it is not a guarantee of legal protection or a substitute for legal advice.