Essential Guide to Estate Sales

One of my dear Aunts introduced me to the "5 P's"--Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance. This phrase and estate sales go hand in hand. This is Madge's "Essential Guide to Estate Sales."

1. Usually Tuesday or Wednesday I will check out estatesales.net, this is typically when address and pictures are displayed for the upcoming weekend sales. Typically, I will peruse the listing and look at the pictures to see if anything jumps out at me. I also check out my local newspapers online classified section, you can search for estate sales, and sometimes you will find some that aren't listed on estatesales.net

2. Make a list of sales you want to check out. In this list include the address, time of sale, dates, and any special notes there may be about a sale (no parking on the street, gate code, vintage purses, etc.). Depending on the amount of sales, you will want to set up your route from this list.

3. If you have an idea of what you are looking for, jot it down on your list or bring a magazine clipping if you are trying to duplicate a look. This is what I'm doing for my reading nook.

4. Day of Sale. Items to bring:
a. List of sales/note pad and pen. This will come in handy to write any notes; you may find a new restaurant while you are out and about, a fun shop, or hear a good song on XM Radio that you want to download.
b. If you are looking for something specific, like a chair or table, bring a tape measure (and be sure to get the measurements you may need before you start your adventure.).

c. A camera. Who knows what kind of crazy stuff you will see along the way. For instance, the bust of Elvis.
d. Directions. Either Mapquest them or if you have a navigation system--plug the addresses in. I'm lucky to have a nav application on my phone that gives me turn by turn directions. I would be lost like Hansel and Gretel otherwise.

e. Remember to stay hydrated--so very important. I usually treat myself to a delicious caffeinated beverage and bring a bottle of H20 with me. And if need be, you may need to bring a snack, like a muffin, to keep blood sugar and energy levels at their peaks.

f. Hand sanitizer. Some of the places you will venture to have seen better days...'nuf said.
g. Some good tunes to listen to. You may be driving for an extended period. I usually jam to XM Radio, however today I brought back a relic of a CD, Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine." Side note: Dear Fiona, please get into the studio soon. I enjoy your music so. Thanks, Madge

5. Get over your social phobia and prepare to meet some interesting characters. You will be walking into someones house and dealing with people who's business it is to come in and sell said person's belongings. I honestly feel it takes a very "special" person to have such a career. And sometimes they may want to talk your ear off and/or may be a little crazy.

6. Mentally prepare yourself to dig. Sometimes you will be looking through a lifetime of belongings. Some sales are very organzied. Others--not so much. You will come across lovely houses and you will come across houses that haven't had a breath of fresh air in decades. To find the good items you have to be willing to look, this isn't Target where everything is merchandised peeps.

7. Most importantly have fun! Estate sales are a great way to learn your way around if you are new to an area. You can get some amazing deals on items that have character and flair. You can meet new people. And what I like the most, you can find merchandise with a story--and if you can get the story, please do. You will appreciate it!

In other news...it's a lovely spring day here. This pic is dedicated to my fam back in the Mitten, I see your low tonight will be 33 degrees...