Estate Sales This Weekend

Planning your weekend route

The most successful estate sale weekends start with a Wednesday-evening planning session. Pull up Estate Bid Finder, pick the four to six listings closest to you, sort them by opening time, and group nearby addresses to minimize driving. Most professional estate companies open at 8 or 9 a.m. on Friday or Saturday, so a typical route hits two or three sales before lunch and one or two more in the afternoon.

Friday morning is the highest-competition window — you'll be in line with serious resellers, antique dealers, and dedicated collectors. Saturday tends to be more family-friendly with deeper inventory still left on the floor. Sunday, especially Sunday afternoon, is the bargain hunter's window: most hosts run a 50%-off pricing schedule starting around noon Sunday, and many will accept reasonable offers on remaining inventory in the final two hours.

Bring small bills, a measuring tape, packing blankets, and a friend with a truck if you're eyeing larger furniture. The full buyer's guide walks through everything from how the numbered-line system works to how to spot quality vintage furniture, sterling silver, and tools at a glance.