When families are preparing for an estate sale and also need to sell a home, one of the biggest challenges is timing. Should you list the house first? Hold the estate sale first? How do you make sure everything lines up so you’re not stressed and scrambling?
I just wrapped up a time-sensitive estate sale where the homeowner’s daughter discovered the house had a reverse mortgage. Because of the 12-month move-out deadline, everything had to be handled day by day — no room for delays. That experience reminded me how important it is to plan ahead.
How Much Notice Do You Need?
If you’re planning an estate sale, give yourself at least 30 days of notice. That means contacting estate sale companies a month before you want the sale to happen.
Why so much time?
Homes over 2,000 sq. ft. or packed with belongings need the full month to liquidate.
After the sale ends, it can take 3–5 days to clear out leftover items and remove tables, shelves, and displays.
You’ll also need a cushion for cleaning, staging, and photography before the house hits the market.
Estate Sale First or Listing First?
It depends on your situation, but here’s my recommendation:
If the home is still staged and presentable, take your listing photos before the estate sale begins.
List the property as “Coming Soon” during the estate sale. This allows curious shoppers to learn about the house without disrupting the sale.
Move to a full listing after the sale is complete.
This way, you avoid the chaos of showings while workers are preparing or running the estate sale — which is safer and less stressful for everyone.
The Timeline in a Nutshell
Call estate sale companies at least 30 days ahead
Allow 4 weeks total for prep, sale, and post-sale clean-out
Build in a one- to two-week cushion before listing so your realtor can deep clean, stage, and photograph the home
Final Thoughts
Trying to coordinate an estate sale and a home sale can be overwhelming — but with the right planning, you’ll avoid stress and keep things moving smoothly.
If you’re in Grand Prairie or the surrounding areas and need guidance, I’d love to help. I offer both estate sales and real estate services, so you don’t have to juggle multiple companies.
📞 Call me at 214-558-4410 or request a free consultation through my website.
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Tips & Tricks from Jenna at Jennarocity Estate Sales
