Estate sales can be exciting places for treasure-hunting, but they can also be overwhelming. There can be a lot to look through, with very little of it having any value.
A savvy estate sale shopper can decorate their home on the cheap or even make a killing in the resale market, but they have to know what to look for. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 12 items you should always keep your eyes peeled for when walking through an estate sale.
This list is by no means comprehensive — value is often in the eye of the beholder, so you’ll want to keep an open mind. However, we’ll provide you with a framework for becoming an expert in the art of estate shopping.
Art
Artwork is generally more affordable at estate sales than other venues, and your search could reveal hidden treasures. Make sure to research any signed pieces of original art you find.
Even if you don’t find any art of monetary value, you might find something that is perfect for your home. Designer Leslie Banker tells Veranda: “When I’m shopping estate sales for clients, I look for small pieces and little prints I can hang in a hallway or on a small empty wall. Those are the final touches that will make a place feel finished.”
Antiques
They don’t make ’em like they used to. And in many cases, they don’t make them anymore at all! Always keep your eyes peeled for antiques at an estate sale, for you could find something exceptionally rare or valuable.
Many antique items, such as radios or TVs, might not have much functional use anymore. But they can make great display pieces in your home.
Jewelry
Jewelry is another example of something you’re likely to find better deals on at an estate sale than an antique store or other reseller.
Experts recommend asking if the sale operator has documentation or provenance of jewelry pieces that seem particularly valuable. You should also make sure to closely examine each piece for damage or other signs of wear.
Musical Instruments
As every parent of a child who joins the school band eventually discovers, musical instruments — even used ones — can be surprisingly expensive.
An estate sale can be a great place to pick up an instrument. Just be sure you aren’t overpaying for an instrument that isn’t in working order. Even if you aren’t in the market for an instrument yourself, these items can hold great value to musicians and collectors.
Photography Gear
With photography shifting toward digital, vintage photography supplies have developed a strong market among collectors and photographers looking to capture a more classic style.
Keep an eye out for popular brands such as Canon, Nikon, or Sony, as well as any particularly old cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment that remain in good working shape.
Vintage Clothes
Fashion has a certain cyclical nature, so clothes that went into storage 20 years ago might find new life after you buy them at estate sales!
Make sure the pieces you want to buy are in good condition — pay extra careful attention to the condition of the seams — and that you aren’t being hoodwinked into paying extra for knock-offs that aren’t all that vintage.
Concert T-Shirts
These clothing items deserve their own category because of their unique collectability. T-shirts sold at concerts usually have a very limited run, which makes them prized among fans and memorabilia collectors.
Not all concert T-shirts are created equal, however. So, make sure to take a quick look at eBay or other online resources to make sure what you plan to buy is worth the money.
Vinyl Records
Speaking of music, vinyl records have come back in a big way in recent years, surpassing CDs as the top physical format for recorded music in 2022.
Estate sales can be a good place to look for exceptionally old and rare vinyl pressings, with some fetching sums of over $1,000 in the resale market.
China
Fine china is one of the most sought-after categories of items at estate sales, and for good reason.
Estate sale experts recommend you familiarize yourself with the most desirable maker’s marks on the bottoms of the pieces so you know what to look for. Also, make sure you know what to look for in terms of damage and signs of wear.
Rugs
Rugs can be a source of unexpected value at estate sales. The older, the better. An antique rug in good condition can be worth several times what you pay for it.
Experts recommend familiarizing yourself with how to check the rug’s knot count, estimate its age, and determine whether it appears to be handmade. Knowing how to recognize a Persian-made rug can also be a useful skill in treasure hunting.
Books
Often, books at estate sales follow bulk pricing — a certain price for paperbacks, a certain price for hardcovers. So, this can be a great opportunity to score something rare and valuable.
Be on the lookout for famous authors, first editions, signed copies, near-mint condition tomes, and books that retain their original dust jackets.
Collections
Sometimes, an item on its own might not hold much value, but as part of a complete collection, it can be a goldmine. When browsing an estate sale, find out what the property’s original owner collected.
Valuable collections can include stamps, vintage toys, comic books, fossils, military memorabilia, and even quirkier items like taxidermy.
