Please, don’t throw anything away!

We have over 30 years of professional experience running estate sales and helping our clients turn a nice profit for our services. The biggest mistakes people make are before they even contact us to set up their estate sale.

Here are the things you absolutely want to avoid doing:

1. Do not order dumpsters to junk items that you think or family members may think are junk. We will let you know if something is not worth the trouble when we evaluate the entire estate.
2. Do not let neighbors or friends come over and look through items first, you don’t make any money on items and they may have significant value. For example, “Your husband said I could come check out his tools and take what I wanted.”
3. Do not assume you know the value of any item in the home unless you have an actual appraisal for the item or items. We have over 30 years of experience helping our clients get the most value from their estate.

We understand that many families that live out-of-state don’t always have the time or resources to be here in Florida if a loved one down here has passed away. Rest assured, we can handle every aspect of your sale so you don’t have to be here during the process. We’d be happy to give you references to back up our experience and professionalism in handing complete estate sales from start to finish.

What makes estate sales so compelling to shoppers – and what gets them up early in the morning to go to a sale – is how items of modest value are offered for sale alongside items of higher value. A successful sale will have all price points represented, and as much variety as possible. We are experts at properly pricing items so you can get the most value out of the estate sale.

If, as is often the case, some of the items are still in the home and waiting to be picked up later, take a little time and mark those items with a post-it note, a piece of blue tape or any other way you think best to visibly mark those items. You can point to items which you have marked and let us know those items are not to be sold.

WE HANDLE ALL APPRAISALS. DO NOT ORDER ANY APPRAISALS. Appraisals are most often out of date and not of any use. Contact us with questions. There is no reason to clean your home or be at the sale during the sale. We handle your entire sale from start to finish so we can make you money.

Have Your Questions Ready

If you have questions for us take the time to write them down so we can go through them all at one time.

Following these steps can help you properly prepare for an effective estate sale. You’ll be able to maximize the profits of the sale while eliminating confusion, following the wishes of the heirs, and the instructions left in the will. Working with a professional service such as us will give you peace of mind, and can help make the process a satisfying one.

Call Sal at 239-481-9600 for details on setting up for an estate sale with us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the first step in preparing for an estate sale in Fort Myers? A: The most critical first step is to not throw anything away. At Judy’s Jewelry, we advise against ordering dumpsters or junking items before a professional evaluation. Many items perceived as “junk” often have significant value to collectors or antique dealers. We handle the entire sorting and appraisal process for you.

Q: Do I need to be in Florida to manage a loved one’s estate sale? A: No. Judy’s Jewelry specializes in helping out-of-state families. We manage every aspect of the estate sale from start to finish, including the appraisal, organization, and final sale, allowing you to handle the transition remotely with complete peace of mind and professional references.

Q: How does Judy’s Jewelry determine the value of items in an estate? A: We provide professional in-house appraisals backed by over 30 years of experience in the antique and jewelry industry. We evaluate items based on rarity, condition, and current market demand, ensuring all price points—from modest household goods to high-value estate jewelry—are accurately represented to maximize your profit.

Q: Should I clean the house or hire an appraiser before contacting you? A: No cleaning or external appraisals are necessary. We handle all appraisals in-house to ensure they are current with today’s market values. Our “house call” service means we come to you to evaluate the estate in its current condition, saving you time and unnecessary expense.

Q: What areas of Southwest Florida do you serve for estate sale management? A: Judy’s Jewelry provides comprehensive estate sale services throughout SWFL, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Sanibel, and Captiva. We make house calls across the region to provide convenient, professional estate liquidation services.