Hidden Treasures: Surprising Items That Sell Well at Estate Sales

A question we often get is: what items sell well at estate sales? In other words, the person asking is wondering if they have enough items to make money.

I'll start by saying this: don't believe everything you watch on social media because different parts of the country have different shopping and collecting trends. I just watched several reels - including a post from House Beautiful Magazine - that said to start collecting Majolica. What they don't mention is that values are rising after a steady decline for decades, so the rise is relative, but also, values are increasing for 16th-19th century Majolica. Most of what you'll find at thrift stores is from the 20th century.

In other words, don't expect to make a fortune on something that may be hot just on the socials or in another part of the country.

However, there are plenty of things you can do really well on as a seller and as a buyer.

Kitchenware and Appliances

Kitchenware is often in like new condition. If you open your cabinets at home, think of the things you rarely use. That funky floral bundt pan from NordicWare, the mini tart pans with removable bottoms, the kitchen torch - I just outed myself - this and much, much more sleep quietly in a single drawer in my own kitchen.

Both large and small appliances are frequently sold at estate sales. You'll find washers, dryers, toaster ovens, high quality blenders, vacuums, refrigerators, microwaves and more. We had 5 vaccuums at a single sale! Two of which were Dysons and one was a Shark. If you can't stand the idea of a shared vaccuum, that's ok. Splurge on a new one and move on to another appliance like a toaster oven.

Speaking of toaster ovens, we had a barely used one at a sale last year. The post woman happened to be delivering mail on our last day, said she never shops at estate sales, but decided to take a stroll in the house, and came away with a $15 like new toaster oven that she got at 75% off. Sometimes, there is wear on the appliance, so you have to evaluate how much cleaning is involved or if it's newer than yours, can you live with those dings, paint chips and rust.

Pots, pans and baking dishes are something most people don't expect to find, let alone buy, at an estate sale. You can find All Clad, Calphalon, and even Le Creuset, new and vintage. While not every sale has all of those, I can guarantee you that every sale will have cookbooks. Why do we love cookbooks so much? If you're like me, you can browse them endlessly. I bought a vintage British cookbook on curries last year. I have yet to make a curry. Anyone in the market for a book on curries?

Porcelain and China Dinnerware & Teacups

If you're among the lucky of us, you've inherited a set of china from a parent or relative. If you're among the unlucky of us, you've inherited a set of china from a parent or relative.

As you may have guessed, this is an item frequently sold at estate sales. It's often inherited and not wanted. Finding space for a set for 12 requires, well, space.

As you treasure hunt at estate sales and even thrift stores, be aware that even today, vintage china and porcelain is collectible. However, not all of it! Some styles and brands are valuable across the board, or at least their older sets. Examples are Meissen, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Johnson Brothers, to name just a few. You want to check the maker, but you also want to check the production time.

An easy way to take an educated guess on something's value is to judge its age and beauty. (No, beauty isn't completely subjective. If you take issue with this, I'll let you go down your own rabbit hole.) Does this item look old? If yes, move on to beauty. When you're looking at china or porcelain, look at the craftsmanship. While it may be old, it can just as easily be an old fake. There have been fakes for as long as there have been expensive goods! If the cuts are messy, if the paint isn't in the lines, if the colors aren't pleasing, this item doesn't check both boxes.

Costume Jewelry and Watches

Even if it's not made from precious metals, costume jewelry may be valuable. We may not be talking hundreds of dollars for each piece, but maybe $15-45+ for a brooch or pair of earrings. I'm hoping someone will bring back the brooch soon because those vintage sparkly gems are just so fun.

Estate sales are a great place to find watches. They will be priced lower than a jeweler and probably lower than a pawn shop.

Artwork and Collectibles

Homeowners are usually surprised to learn that an estate sale is a great place to sell paintings and other fine art. With an estate sale, you're only paying the split you have with the estate sale company, which is going to be lower than a gallery and probably a consignment shop.

if your paintings are valued at over $3k, your estate sale company should compare returns for you and help you decide whether to bring it to auction or sell it at an estate sale.

Almost every sale, we have shoppers contacting us ahead of time to ask about artworks.

Books

Old books are a staple at estate sales, but finding one that's very valuable is very challenging. Luckily, there are a few excellent rare book sellers in San Diego who help guide us when we set up an estate sale.

As a shopper, you want to look for first editions, signed copies, or rare titles. Valuable examples include first editions of classics like "The Hobbit" or "The Great Gatsby" which have sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

If you're just looking for a book to read, you'll find more than enough at any given sale to get you through the next decade!

Unusual & Unique Decor and Collectibles

Who wants a cookie cutter house? An estate sale is the perfect place to find something you don't see every day, whether it's an unusual lamp, a quirky statue or a brass swan. As a seller, it's your best place to sell your rare collection. I may be one of the few people who actually searches "funky" & "unique" on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Most people are shopping for something specific, so your collection of wooden noses may not show up.

Beauty Products and Perfume

I think this is my favorite category. YES, sell your partially used products. If someone can spend $25 instead of $150 on a face cream they may or may not like, they often do it. We sell lotions, perfumes, shampoos, toothpastes, toothbrushes, hairbrushes - you name it. If it's in your beauty drawer, it will sell.

Vintage perfume bottles are a really fun collectible item and sometimes they sell, sometimes they don't. This was once a mainstream collectible item that has become pretty niche.

Clothing

You can find all of the cool vintage clothing with none of the thrift store smell! Clients never believe that it will sell, but it always does! Ties, hats, suits, dresses, bathing suits and even socks. Two of the most popular items are belts & shoes.

Used Cleaning Supplies

Can cleaning supplies even get dirty? Well, the answer is yes when they are stored in a dusty area for decades! Even if you don't consider yourself to be a hoarder of any kind, I'm willing to bet you have several cleaning products under your kitchen sink or stowed away in your garage. You may even have 10+ products. Is it even hoarding if they are cleaning products? These philosophical questions aside, estate sales are a great place to sell the cleaning products you overbought, or conversely, they are a great place to pick up your regular products for at least half the price. If a bottle is used, we often mark it at $1 each.

At a sale this year, we had no less than 20 bottles of off-brand Windex. The same was true for just about every type of cleaning supply!

Here are some real things we sold in 2025:

• A Le Creuset Heart Dutch Oven sold for $65

• A 17th century painting of a girl in a barn sold for $55

• A set of 8 Waterford crystal wine glasses sold for $60

• An enormous set of Wedgewood Cream on Lavender dinnerware & serveware for $600

• Royal Albert Old Country Roses dinnerware, servingware & teapot for $800

If you're interested to know what your items could sell for, don't hesitate to contact us!