Selling Your Estate Outright vs. Consigning at Auction

So, you're sitting there thinking, “Should I sell my estate outright to an estate buyer / auction house / dealer, or should I consign it to an auction?” It is a big question that leaves you a great deal to consider: your timeline, the type of items in your estate, and of course, what you’re hoping to get out of it. It is never an easy decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming either. Let's break down both options, while also giving you a real look at when each one might be the best move.

Sometimes consigning to a specialist or boutique auction house like Burd Street Auctions might be ideal, but many times it is simply easier and more efficient to simply seek out an outright sale.

When Should You Sell Your Estate Outright?

Selling outright? Yeah, that’s usually faster and simpler. If you need cash quickly or you don’t want to deal with the auction process, selling outright is probably the way to go. You skip the auction wait times, there no fees to worry about and the check is in hand without much delay. What you agree on is what you get. Simple. No surprises. If you just want to get the process of selling the estate over with, a direct sale can be just what you need. And while it is not our typical mode of business, at Burd Street we recognize this might be the preference or even the requirement of some estates. As such, we are always happy to put together an offer on the estate and then take the risk off of the table for consignors.

When It Makes Sense to Sell Outright:

• Need cash fast or the estate needs to be settled quickly? Direct sale will get you there quicker.

• Risk averse - you prefer "bird in hand versus two in the bush"? A clean offer is turnkey and takes all of the stress and uncertainty off of the table.

• Simplicity—sometimes there is simply too much going on and the moving parts of settling an estate or downsizing on a timeline is too a straightforward sale without the waiting.
  

When to Consider Consigning Your Estate to Auction

Now, let’s talk about auctions. Not every estate is suited for an outright sale, especially when you have valuable or unique items. Maybe you’ve got rare art or collectibles—things that, if marketed right, could fetch more than you expect. Auctions bring all kinds of buyers to the table. They put your estate in front of a crowd that might bid way more than you ever imagined. It is a highly competitive marketplace where each piece gets a chance to shine.

When it comes to rare collectibles, especially things you might not be 100% sure about the value on, auctions are often the best choice. You might have a painting or a piece of jewelry that you think is worth something, but you’re just not sure. With an auction, you’re exposing your estate to a much wider audience, including collectors who are specifically looking for what you’ve got. That competition can drive the price up. And that’s exactly what you want if you’ve got something special.

Another important element of auctions that goes unsaid is the organic crowd-sourced research of a well marketed auction. Sometimes, you’ve got an estate that’s full of items needing a little more attention—maybe some restoration or even authentication. Not only do auction houses like Burd Street Auctions have experts who can help with this process, ensuring you get the most value for each item, but the format of an auction allows the crowd-sourcing of expertise from bidders motivated by the possibility of getting a great deal. As a result, a well-advertised auction can bring more transparent light on an item of hidden value than any other more private sale option.

For high-value estates, the global exposure that auctions offer can make all the difference. If you have valuable pieces like rare coins, antique sculptures, or vintage jewelry, consignment might just be the best choice. Your estate gets a chance to be seen by international buyers who are ready to bid. Finally, the element of time is such an important consideration. When an estate is consigned at auction, there is a long runway between contacting the auction house, having all of the items examined and getting initial estimates, getting the property to the auction house, having the property fully cataloged, scheduling the sale (which is generally quite a distance into the future), marketing the sale, having auction day, settling the sale post-auction and waiting until all payments are collected, and ultimately finally issuing payment to the consignor. When time is a major consideration or there is some urgency around the timing of the payout or exact amount of the payout, an outright sale might make more sense than consigning.

When It Makes Sense to Consign to Auction:

• Unique or rare items that could fetch more in a competitive environment.

• Items that are well branded with known values and are highly liquid: jewelry, fine art by well-known painters and sculptors, coins and collectibles with well-established valuation protocols

• Pieces that require research or need specialized expertise to uncover hidden value.

• High-value property where broad market exposure and competition are key to getting top dollar.

• Time is not an issue
  

So, What’s the Best Move for You?

Here’s the bottom line: It really depends on your situation. If you have plenty of time and have a collection of fine antiques, jewelry, rare antiques or similarly complex objects where you are not not sure what the as-is where-is value might be, auction consignment is probably your best bet. Auction houses provide a unique opportunity to get your items in front of a huge audience, and that can often result in a much better sale price than you’d get from a direct buyer.

However, if you need speed or a clean transaction with a known payout, selling outright can save you time, fees, and the headache of waiting for an auction process. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting, and the sale happens right then and there.

In cases where you have high-value items that need specialized care, a house like Burd Street Auctions might be ideal. We are a boutique auction house specializing in fine antiques, estate and vintage fine jewelry, fine art and sculpture, rugs and collectibles and our small team can offer you a highly personalized approach to get the most out of your property—whether it’s fast liquidation or maximizing value for rare or specialized pieces.

At the end of the day, it’s about your goals. Whether you choose to sell outright or go the auction route, be sure you’ve considered your options carefully and work with the experts who can guide you toward the best outcome for your estate.

Start a conversation with us today! Email info@burdst.com to start considering your options.