Estate Auction Company
Conduct live and online auctions for estate property
Overview
Estate auction companies charge 20-35% buyer's premium plus 10-20% seller commission.
Conducting 4-12 auctions monthly generates $150,000-$900,000 annually with 65-80% margins.
In 2025, auctions provide efficient liquidation for estates, collections, and high-value items.
Services include estate appraisal and cataloging, auction marketing and advertising, online and live auctions, payment processing, and item pickup coordination.
Successful auctioneers get licensed (required in most states), master auctioneering chant, research items thoroughly, market to bidder database, use online bidding platforms (HiBid, Proxibid), and conduct professional auctions.
Can specialize: estate auctions, farm auctions, or antiques.
Online bidding expands reach beyond local.
Marketing through auction listing sites, email lists, social media, and direct mail to collectors.
Required Skills
- Auctioneering
- Appraisal & Valuation
- Marketing
- Online Platforms
- Crowd Management
- Licensing Requirements
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Commission from both buyer and seller
- Online bidding expands market
- High-value items bring serious bidders
- Professional auction atmosphere
- Can build bidder database
Cons
- Auctioneer license required in most states
- Need auction facility or rent space
- Irregular auction schedule
- Marketing costs for each auction
- Payment processing and item pickup logistics
How to Get Started
- Get auctioneer license (required in most states)
- Learn auctioneering and appraisal
- Set up online bidding platform
- Secure auction facility or partner with venues
- Build bidder email list and database
- Market auctions through multiple channels
- Conduct professional estate auctions
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