Estate sale companies and auction houses both convert a houseful of stuff into cash, but they work very differently, charge different fees, and excel with different kinds of estates.
Michigan Estate Sale Company Fees
- Commission: 30 to 40 percent of gross
- Setup, staging, pricing, marketing included
- Minimums often $1,500 to $3,000 for smaller estates
- Cleanout often $500 to $2,500 extra
Michigan Auction House Fees
- Seller commission: 15 to 35 percent
- Buyer’s premium: 15 to 25 percent (paid by buyer, suppresses bidding)
- Photography and cataloging: included or $5 to $25 per lot
- Transportation: $300 to $1,500
- Storage charges if items unsold
- Unsold lots returned or rolled to subsequent auctions
Timeline Comparison
Estate sale: 2-4 weeks total, cash in hand within 30 days. Auction: 2-4 months start to finish, proceeds disbursed 30-45 days after auction closes.
Choose Estate Sale When
- Typical mix of household goods, furniture, decor
- Total inventory $5,000 to $50,000
- Need house emptied in 30-45 days
- Most items mid-range, not specialty
- Property in populated area
Choose Auction House When
- Specialty items: fine art, period antiques, gold/silver, rare coins, sterling, jewelry, firearms
- Individual items worth $1,000+
- Not on a tight timeline
- Property rural or hard to draw foot traffic
- Items have provenance, signatures, documentation
When Neither Option Fits
For estates with limited aggregate value, multiple heirs who cannot align, or out-of-state Personal Representatives, selling the home as-is with contents included may be the right move. Offer Now Michigan handles these situations regularly. Call (810) 547-1135.
Related Reading
Related Michigan Reading
- Warning Signs of Michigan Foreclosure
- What Is a Pre-Foreclosure?
- How Michigan Probate Works for Inherited Real Estate
If you would rather skip the listing process entirely, that is what we do. We buy houses across Michigan for cash, as is.