Michigan Estate Sale Companies vs Auction Houses: Which to Choose and When

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.