How to Launch an Estate Sales Business and Earn Up to $5,000 in a Weekend - Side Hustle Nation

      Side Hustle Nation is committed to boosting your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that have the same goal. If you register or make a purchase through any of our partners’ links, we might receive compensation—at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

      Imagine being able to earn money this weekend by assisting people in decluttering their homes without spending a dime yourself.

      Estate sales have existed for many years, and a modern, completely online version of this business makes transactions quicker, safer, and more efficient for everyone involved. This area is wide open for those willing to learn the ins and outs.

      Sue Antinoro has dedicated the last 10-20 years to consignment, eBay, estate sales, and auction sales. Currently, she operates AuctionMastery.com, where she has developed a flexible side hustle that converts other people's possessions into cash while helping families navigate one of life's most stressful transitions.

      Her latest auction? A two-part sale from a home overflowing with items. The total revenue: $17,000, with her share being approximately $8,000 for just a couple of weekends of effort.

      Tune in to Episode 739 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - How the online estate auction model functions and why it surpasses traditional in-person sales.

      - A detailed guide on photographing, cataloging, and listing items for increased bids.

      - Strategies to locate clients and establish referral partnerships in your area.

      Indeed – Start hiring NOW with a $75 sponsored job credit to enhance your job post!

      Quo (formerly OpenPhone) — Try it for free!

      Shopify — Sign up for a $1 monthly trial!

      Gusto — Enjoy 3 months free of the leading payroll, benefits, and HR solution for modern small businesses!

      Whatnot — Whatnot will match your first $150 sold in the initial month!

      How This Model Differs from Traditional Estate Sales

      Traditional estate sales involve strangers entering a home, touching belongings, and sometimes leaving with more than they paid. The online auction model Sue employs is distinct, and that distinction often serves as the main selling point.

      Sue photographs everything in one day. Listings typically go online within about two days. The auction lasts for a week.

      At the conclusion, only the winning bidders come to collect their items—generally within a 4-hour window. This process transforms the home from cluttered to empty with minimal disruption and no unfamiliar faces darting around.

      The pitch almost makes itself: it’s effortless, it’s private, and it proves effective. Competitors often choose to accept only high-value items; however, Sue’s willingness to take on nearly any house sets her apart. As she expresses it, most clients simply want to see it gone.

      How the Online Auction Works

      The platform Sue utilizes is AuctionNinja, a third-party site designed specifically for this type of sale. Everything begins at $1, with the auction running for a week and closing in a staggered manner—lot number one closes first, followed by the subsequent lots every 20 seconds.

      If someone bids in the final five minutes, the timer resets to another five minutes. This feature prevents last-minute bidding wars and allows competitive items to remain in contention longer.

      Sue once witnessed a Bose stereo system she had listed rise from $50 to $350 over three hours of intense bidding between two buyers.

      Clients can request reserve prices on up to five items, but Sue usually advises against it. AuctionNinja buyers tend to dislike reserve prices; she has seen furniture with high reserves go unsold through two auctions, only to succeed once the reserve was waived.

      The audience loves to bid. It only takes two interested parties for competitive pricing.

      Pricing and What to Expect

      The standard division is 50% for Sue’s team and 50% for the homeowner or estate executor. For silver and gold items, that division changes: Sue’s side receives 35%.

      To make the time investment worthwhile, Sue aims for a minimum gross sale of $5,000. This target is usually easily attainable—homes in these situations frequently contain more sellable items than the owners realize.

      Nearly everything sells, as starting bids only commence at a dollar and the AuctionNinja audience is enthusiastic about bidding.

      How Sue Acquired Her First Clients

      Sue’s first clients emerged from local Facebook moms’ groups. She posted, engaged with members, and allowed people to familiarize themselves with her.

      Word of mouth spreads swiftly in such communities, leading to exponential growth. This approach remains effective for newcomers; a post in a neighborhood group during spring cleaning or in conjunction with a community garage sale is a quick, low-risk way to gain your first consignment or auction client and start establishing credibility.

      What Sells Well on AuctionNinja

      Understanding what to prioritize and how to group items significantly impacts outcomes.

      High-Value Singles

      Certain categories consistently excel and warrant individual listings:

      - Sterling silverware — Sue has