Frequently Asked Questions

One call can do it all! Chief Estates offers a comprehensive range of professional estate liquidation services to assist individuals, families, real estate agents, and estate attorneys in selling the contents of a home or estate. Our services are ideal for situations such as the passing of a loved one, downsizing, moving, divorce sale, or when you need to quickly sell a large portion of personal property.

Here’s an overview of what Chief Estates can offer:

We start by assessing the contents of the estate to determine the best approach tailored to your needs and preferences.

After the assessment, we organize and prepare the items for sale. This includes arranging furniture, displaying smaller items attractively, and ensuring everything is visually appealing to potential buyers.

To attract buyers, we promote the sale through various channels, including local newspapers, online classifieds, estate sale listing websites, and social media. Our goal is to reach a wide audience.

During the sale, our team manages the entire process. We greet and assist customers, answer questions about the items, and facilitate purchases and pickups.

After the sale, we can provide an estimate for an estate cleanout. This includes removing any unsold items as agreed upon and ensuring the property is left clean and orderly.

Chief Estates provides thorough documentation of the sale, including a summary of items sold and proceeds generated. Clients receive payment within one week of the online auction or estate sale pickup date.

Overall, Chief Estates is dedicated to tailoring our estate liquidation services to provide a convenient and efficient solution for selling estate contents. Our expertise and resources ensure that the process is professional and yields the best possible results while minimizing stress for our clients.

Our consultation is completely free! During this appointment, we’ll take the time to view your items, discuss your specific needs and goals, and provide you with a personalized plan and quote for our services. We’re here to ensure you feel informed and confident every step of the way! 

We begin with a complimentary on-site evaluation, available during flexible hours that fit your schedule. Within 48 hours of the evaluation, you'll receive a customized proposal for your online estate auction or in person estate sale.

Our competitive, all-inclusive commission rates cover everything you need. We handle sorting, cataloging, research, staging, photography, marketing, advertising, and staffing all the way through to sale completion.  Let us take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most!

Best suited for: Estates with collectibles, art, antiques, or items that benefit from broader exposure.

Pros

• Transparent tracking of items, bids, and final sale prices
   
• Competitive, market-driven pricing
   
• Broader buyer reach beyond the local market
   
• Convenient bidding from home or mobile devices
   
• Reduced in-home traffic and controlled pickup access
   
• Itemized inventory and documented settlement
   
• Equal visibility for all buyers throughout the sale
   
• Efficient liquidation with a high percentage of items sold
   

Best suited for: Full households and buyers who prefer on-site shopping.

Pros

• Familiar, hands-on shopping experience
   
• Immediate sales without a bidding period
   
• Buyers can physically inspect items before purchase
   
• Cash-and-carry convenience
   
• Local community engagement
   
• Short, defined sale window (typically a weekend)
   
• Opportunity for face-to-face negotiation
   
• Straightforward setup, execution and stable pricing.
   

Best suited for: Situations requiring speed, simplicity, or complete property clearance.

Pros

• One-step solution for selling all contents
   
• Simplified process with fewer decisions required
   
• Predictable outcome and clear completion point
   
• Time-efficient, especially when deadlines apply
   
• Reduced emotional involvement for the seller
   
• Minimal seller participation
   
• Effective for mixed-value or lower-value contents
   
• Property left empty and ready for next steps
   

The best solution depends on your goals—whether that’s maximizing value, moving quickly, maintaining privacy, or minimizing involvement. We help clients evaluate each option and select the approach that aligns with their situation.

 Call or text (914) 557-7545 to discuss any items you would like to sell. If we're interested, we'll schedule an appointment to view the items and can pay cash on the spot or consign pieces for our next auction. We're here to help you get the most value for your belongings! 

At Chief Estates, we purchase a wide range of items, from rusty and dusty to refined and exquisite. We’re always on the lookout for antiques, collectibles, gold, silver, costume and broken jewelry, art, sculptures, porcelain, bronze, jade, vases, coins, clocks, toys, comic books, video games, metal signs, advertising memorabilia, cameras, old books, postcards, typewriters, rotary phones, military items, marbles, tube radios, tools, hunting and fishing equipment, Judaica, pottery, watches, swords, knives, musical instruments, vehicles, vintage clothing, bric-a-brac, and anything unique or unusual.

If you have something not listed here, chances are we’re interested! Whether you want to sell outright or consign, we’re here to help. Reach out to see what we can do for you!

Yes, if you are looking to prepare a home to sell we offer complete clean out services.  Call or schedule an appointment for a free quote.    

Chief Estates is based in White Plains, NY, and services all of Westchester County.  We are also available to travel outside of our service area.  

• Yonkers
• Tarrytown
• Dobbs Ferry
• Hastings on Hudson
• Sleepy Hollow
• Ossining
• Briarcliff Manor
• Irvington
• Tuckahoe
• Bronxville
• Mount Vernon
• Pelham
• New Rochelle
• Eastchester
• Larchmont
• Mamaroneck
• Scarsdale
• Ardsley 
• White Plains
• Harrison
• Rye
• Rye Brook
• Port Chester
• Greenburgh
• Mount Pleasant
• Elmsford
• North Castle
• Pleasantville 
• Peekskill
• Croton on Hudson
• Cortlandt
• Buchanan
• Yorktown
• New Castle
• Mount Kisco
• Bedford
• Pound Ridge
• Lewisboro
• North Salem
• Somers
• Beacon
• Katonah 
• Kingston
• Wurtsboro 
• Carmel
• Brewster
• Mahopac
• Patterson
• Stamford, CT
• Fairfield, CT
• Greenwich, CT
• Danbury, CT
• Bronx
• Manhattan 
• Queens

Call, text or email Jason at (914) 557-7545 or ChiefEstatesInc@gmail.com.  Feel free to text or email photos of items you are looking to sell.        

 Yes! We are a licensed professional estate liquidation business in New York and can provide a certificate of liability insurance with all signed contracts. This ensures that you have peace of mind knowing that you’re working with a reputable company that prioritizes safety and professionalism. Your trust is important to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way! 

A buyer's premium is an additional fee added to the hammer price (the final bid amount) of an item at an auction. This fee, typically expressed as a percentage of the hammer price, is charged by the auction house.

Buyer's premiums help auction houses cover operational costs and generate profit. The percentage can vary based on the auction house and the type of auction. It’s essential for bidders to be aware of the buyer's premium and factor it into their bidding strategy to ensure they’re comfortable with the total cost of their purchases. 

If you are not located in the New York Tri-State area to use Chief Estates Inc. Here are some steps you can take to locate an estate sale company:

1. Online Search: Start by conducting an online search using search engines like Google or Bing. Use search terms such as "estate sale company near me" or "professional estate liquidators." This should generate a list of companies operating in your area.
2. Estate Sale Listing Websites: There are websites specifically dedicated to listing estate sales. Examples include EstateSales.net, EstateSales.org, and EstateSales.com. These platforms allow you to search for estate sales by location and view details such as dates, times, and descriptions. Many of these websites also provide information about the estate sale companies hosting the events.
3. Local Directories: Check local business directories, both online and in print, for listings of estate sale companies. Look under categories such as "Estate Sales," "Auction Services," or "Estate Liquidators."
4. Ask for Recommendations: Reach out to friends, family members, or acquaintances who may have experience with estate sales or who may know someone who has. They can provide recommendations based on their personal experiences.
5. Real Estate Agents: Real estate agents often work closely with estate sale companies when handling the sale of a property that includes the liquidation of personal belongings. They may be able to recommend reputable companies they have worked with in the past.
6. Social Media: Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook or local community groups to ask for recommendations or to search for estate sale companies operating in your area. You can also join online forums or groups dedicated to estate sales and ask for advice or recommendations from members.
7. Attend Estate Sales: Attend estate sales in your area and take note of the companies hosting the events. If you are impressed with their professionalism and the way they conduct the sale, consider reaching out to them for future services.

Once you have compiled a list of potential estate sale companies, take the time to research each one. Check their websites for information about their services, experience, and customer testimonials. Additionally, contact the companies directly to inquire about their availability, pricing, and any specific needs or preferences you may have for your estate sale.