We recently had the opportunity to have an email-based conversation with a potential client.  The question at hand was: “Should a family attempt to organize and run their own sale, or is it best to hire a professional?”

Later in this post I will share that email exchange, but first let’s consider the driving reasons behind this question.

First, the idea behind Do-It-Yourself projects of any kind are, to some degree, based on the notion that it will cost less.  Or, in the case of Estate Liquidating, the idea is that more money will be netted by the family if no commission fees are being paid out to a professional.  In my experience, as both a previous Do-It-Myself-er, and as a current Professional Estate Liquidator, I believe this is a false premise.  Professionals have (more…)