Garage Sale vs. Estate Sale: What's the Difference? (and Why Your …
Garage sales and estate sales are two popular ways to get rid of unwanted items, find bargain deals, and make some extra cash in the process. While they may seem similar, there are some key differences between the two. Join us as we take a closer look at what makes them different, where you can find them, and how each sale structures its pricing.
What Is a Garage Sale?
A garage sale — also known as a yard, moving, or tag sale — is a sale where individuals sell items they no longer want or need from their own property.
Typically, garage sales are held on weekends to allow for more flexibility and involve setting up tables or displays in a driveway, garage, or yard. Garage sales are usually smaller in scale compared to estate sales and are geared towards selling items that are no longer needed or wanted by the homeowners or renters.
What Is an Estate Sale?
An estate sale, on the other hand, is a sale of personal property that takes place after someone has passed away or is downsizing their belongings. Estate sales are typically much larger than garage sales and are often held inside the home of the deceased person or at a separate venue.
They can last for multiple days and usually have a larger variety of items for sale, including antiques, furniture, family heirlooms, and collectibles.
Estate sales are usually conducted by a professional company or auctioneer that specializes in organizing and running the sale, though they may also be hosted by the family or by someone appointed by the estate owner.