Estate FAQ
Estate Sale & Senior Move Questions, Answered
Straight answers about estate sales, senior moves, cleanouts, cleaning, and selling a family home in Salem and the Mid-Valley.
Getting started
What does a one-stop estate company do?
We handle every step of closing out a home: helping your loved one move, sorting keepsakes, running the estate sale, clearing out what's left, cleaning the house, and helping you sell it. You work with one family-run team and one written plan instead of hiring five separate companies.
Do I have to use every service?
No. Pick only what you need. Some families want just an estate sale and cleanout. Others want help with everything from the move to the closing.
How much does it cost?
Estate sales are paid as a percentage of what sells, taken from the proceeds. Moving, cleanouts, and cleaning are quoted up front after a free walkthrough. You get every number in writing before any work starts.
What happens at the free walkthrough?
We tour the home with you, in person or by video, talk about your timing and goals, and then send a written plan with costs for each service you want.
Estate sales
How much does an estate sale company charge in Salem?
Most estate sale companies in the Salem and Portland area charge a percentage of the sale's gross, commonly somewhere between 35% and 50% depending on the size and value of the estate. We quote our exact percentage in writing at the free walkthrough, and it comes out of the proceeds, so you don't pay out of pocket for the sale.
Is there enough in the house for an estate sale?
If the contents would bring in less than a few thousand dollars, a full sale usually isn't worth the setup. We'll tell you honestly at the walkthrough and suggest a better fit, like a buyout of the contents, donation, or a straight cleanout.
How long does the whole process take?
Most estate sales take one to three weeks from signed agreement to empty house: several days to sort, price, and stage, a two- or three-day sale, then the cleanout. Larger homes, shops, or collections take longer.
Should we throw things away before the sale?
Please don't. Items families think are junk, like old tools, kitchenware, linens, records, and craft supplies, often sell. Set aside what the family wants to keep and leave the rest to us.
What happens to items that don't sell?
Unsold items are donated to local charities when possible, recycled, or hauled away by our sister company, EZ Junk & Hauling, so the house ends up empty.
When do we get paid?
After the sale you receive an itemized statement of what sold and for how much, along with your payout. Exact timing is written into your agreement.
Do you work with estate attorneys and trustees?
Yes. We work with personal representatives, trustees, and attorneys and provide records of every sale for the estate's files.
Moving & downsizing
What is a senior move manager?
A senior move manager helps older adults and their families plan and carry out a move: deciding what to bring, packing, moving, and setting up the new home. EZ Estates provides this along with the estate sale and cleanout that usually follow.
Can you help if our family lives out of state?
Yes. Many families coordinate from Portland, Seattle, or farther away. We can walk the home with you on a video call, send photos as we go, and handle everything on the ground.
Do you move people into assisted living?
Yes. We plan the move around the community's room size and move-in rules, and we set the room up so it feels familiar on day one.
What happens to the things that don't fit in the new place?
Family members take what they want first. Remaining items can go into an estate sale, to donation, or be hauled away by our sister company, EZ Junk & Hauling.
Cleanouts & cleaning
Who does the cleanout work?
Our sister company, EZ Junk & Hauling, a Salem and Keizer junk removal business with its own crew, trucks, and dump trailers.
Do you donate usable items?
Yes. Usable furniture, household goods, and building materials are donated to local charities and reuse stores whenever possible. Metal and appliances are recycled.
Can you clean out a house without an estate sale?
Yes. If there isn't enough for a sale, or the house needs to be empty quickly, we can go straight to a cleanout.
Do you handle hoarding situations?
Yes, respectfully and without judgment. EZ Junk & Hauling has a dedicated hoarding cleanup service.
Do you clean after the cleanout?
Yes. Once the house is empty we can clean it top to bottom so it's ready for listing photos, a final walkthrough, or closing.
Is cleaning priced by the hour?
No. Move-out and estate cleaning is quoted as a flat price based on the size and condition of the home, so you know the cost before we start.
Selling the home
Do I have to sell the house through EZ Estates' family?
No. Listing with Brody Sherwood or taking a cash offer from Greg Sherwood are options, never requirements. You can use any agent or buyer you choose.
Can we sell a house that's in probate?
Often yes, but the process depends on the estate's situation. Talk with the estate's attorney or personal representative first. Brody can explain how listing works during probate.
Should we fix the house before selling?
Sometimes a few repairs pay off, and sometimes selling as-is makes more sense. Brody is also a licensed contractor and can help you decide which projects are worth it.
How does a cash offer compare to listing?
A cash sale is usually faster and avoids repairs and showings, but it often brings a lower price than the open market. We encourage comparing both before deciding.
Can the contents stay with the house?
With a cash buyer, sometimes. Ask Greg Sherwood about your specific home.
Start here
Still have questions? Ask us directly.
A free walkthrough, a written plan, and one family-run team for every step after that.