The short answer
Most household things are worth less than it feels they should be, and a few are worth more than anyone guesses. You can't always tell which is which by looking.
Have anything that might be valuable appraised by someone who is not buying it. Get every sale agreement in writing, and take the time you need.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- List anything that might be worth money, and photograph it.
- Ask the executor before you sell anything that may belong to his estate.
- Get an independent appraisal for anything that might be valuable, from someone who is not buying it.
- Ask two estate sale companies for their terms in writing, and check them against the list in this chapter.
- Turn down any check for more than the price, and never send back a difference. Seeing the money in your account doesn't mean the check is good.
- Keep every appraisal, receipt and acknowledgment in one folder.
- Ask the tax preparer before any large sale.
What can wait
- Selling anything you might want later.
- Selling everything at once. You can sell a few things, see how it goes, and decide about the rest.
- Finding a buyer for the vehicle, until you know what the motor vehicle office needs.
Who can help
An independent appraiser who belongs to the American Society of Appraisers, the Appraisers Association of America or the International Society of Appraisers can value what you are unsure of.
A tax preparer can answer the questions about donations and the new basis. If paying one is hard, ask AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, 1-888-227-7669, whether it can help; it needs no AARP membership.
If a buyer has cheated you, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 3: The House and the Things
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 11. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 3 to 12.
Hear when the next book is out
Five or six short emails a year at most, and a note when a new book is out. Each one is about something that tends to come up in the first two years. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.