Downsizing is Not for the Faint-Hearted- Estate Sale Services

This Victorian dresser that Macrine( RIP) and I was purchased in The Goodwill Store in Chicago, Illinois in 1960. It had been carried and transported in our 12 moves all over the US during the last six decades of our lives here in the US. It is with great sadness that I will part with this furniture very closed to my heart here in the US.   

Downsizing is not for the Faint-Hearted, but it is Part of the Aging Process. My heart melt with sadness just thinking that some of my properties and accumulations for the last six decades will be gone soon.

In my process of downsizing, my realtor gave me a list of Estate Sales Services in my area. After talking to ten agencies,  I decided to hire the services of  James Estate Sales, Sacramento, Ca. Below is information from their FaceBook page.  

https://www.facebook.com/JamesEstateSales/

This is a 3-drawer desk with secret compartment inside. Another antique, I have to part with sadness and sorrow as it reminded me of my graduate student days in Chicago, Illinois, 1959-1964.
 

There are other items for sale, hundreds of collectibles from the Philippines and small souvenirs from our travels in Europe and the Caribbean.  Several pieces of Wood Carvings, and Capiz shell products from the Philippines are for sale. My numerous indoor plants, my statuaries/garden plaques and potted fruit trees/ornamentals and all outdoor furnitures will be on sale. Hundreds of other items of household and collectibles are for sale. Sterling Silver set, Bone China and Depression Glass are also on sale.  China Cabinet, A Curio Cabinet and a Piano are on sale. An electric Bed is for sale. More than a hundred musical pieces including Pinoy Kundimans and Broadway songs are yours for a buck. Garden tools are also for sale.

 

The date of the sale is on April 28, 29 and 30 ( Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from 10AM to 2PM.  It will be first come first serve Basis.  Persons allowed in the house per 30 minutes will be monitored and limited. If you have never attended an Estate Sale here's some information.  

An Estate Sale, also called a Tag Sale in some parts of the country, is a way of liquidating the belongings of a family or estate. These are usually much more than garage or yard sales. They are used when someone is in need of a way to sell items due to downsizing, moving, divorce, bankruptcy, or death. The public is invited into the home and given the opportunity to purchase any item that is priced for sale. At times there are items that are not for sale because the family has decided to keep them or new owners of the house have made them part of a contract to buy the house.

There are several ways that Estate Sales are run. Items are marked with a selling price, and if you want an item you usually pick it up and carry it with you until you are ready to check out. If an item is too large to carry, you can have it Marked Sold. If you do not want to pay the marked price, some companies accept Bids. However, you are taking a chance that someone else might be willing to pay the marked price before the end of the sale when bids are usually opened.

For lining up and entering the sale, most companies use the First Come, First Served policy. This is when a line is formed at the door of the home where the sale is taking place. Lines may start several hours before the sale opens. Most people know how to use this system. There are always those who feel they are entitled to a front spot, but this is not the case.

There is such a thing as Estate Sale Etiquette. Some companies use a Number System, and they usually have some sort of policy concerning this, so be sure to check with the individual companies for their rules. There are also companies that use the Self Start Number System. This type of system is vulnerable to many abuses, and companies that use this system usually do have a strict policy on how they are handled.

Sign-up Sheets are also used and are similar to self-start numbering. Again, there is a chance of abuse here too. Some companies allow everyone in line to enter the sale, and others have limited access. For details read:

   https://www.estatesales.net/learn/what-is-an-estate-sale

I have attended numerous Garage and Yard Sales during my six decades of residence here in the US. However, last year was my first Estate Sales that I have participated. It was my neighbor across the street who was also downsizing. It was also a 3-Day event. I noticed that the first items coming out of her house were potted plants and ornamental followed by some furnitures. On the 3rd day I was curious as there was a 50% sign in the front yard.  There were about a dozen buyers and lookers. I purchased a $2 set of napkin rings that matches my collection of  4-piece shell candy dish for $1. The photo is shown below with my Blue Imari Tea Pot , my green depression glass candy dish and a lead crystal bowl that will be sold this coming April 28, 29 and 30.

I will keep my 4-piece shell-design napkin holder set not because I will use it, but just a memento of my first Estate Sale experience.

 

Some of My School Poetry and Writings

While looking at some of my accumulations for the past six decades that I am planning for the dump in preparation of my downsizing, I found an album on my High School Memoirs. It contained photos and some of my writings for our high school newspaper. I was the Associate Editor of our Newspaper.

Here are some of my poetry and an article I wrote on the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Eldest Child during my freshman year in high school. 

My First Acrostic Poem and my first teen-age crush-Florence ( an imaginary name)

I realized what my dreams were

Only the whims and fancies of thoughts

They're nothing but abstract dreams

On the blue horizon of the western sky.

Showing my Love to My Motherland-The Philippines and High school, Barotac Viejo High ( BAVIHI) 

Sunset Taken from the Balcony of the Chateau Du Mer Beach House

Reading my above writings again brought pleasant memories of my high school years-1947-1951. Needless to say, I kept the album of Memoirs of My High School Years.

 

Today is the First Year Anniversary Of David E Katague III Death

Three weeks ago, I initiated my downsizing process and hopefully ends my living alone. My two oldest children wanted me to live near them, so in case of emergency, they will be around. First I hired a Realtor, 2nd I have decided to have the services of An Estate Sales Agent and 3rd and the last is the most tedious - packing and throwing my accumulations for the past six decades living here in the US.

My oldest son has already a hired a Dumpster and I am in the process of hiring a trash guy again.  I hired a Handyman to replace toilet fixtures in the master bedroom. The most expensive is fixing the swimming pool and getting ready for the first show and listing of my residence hopefully next month.  Currently, the Real Estate Market is very slow because of the High Mortgage interest rates, but hopefully it will improve in the next couple of months. 

Now to another topic, the 1st year anniversary of David E III death.

On August 10, 2020, Macrine, my spouse for over 63 years passed. Since then David E and I resided in this ranch house in Fair Oaks. Exactly one year ago today, David E had a stroke while at work and after one week in the hospital joined his maker. Since then I was living alone except for my two pet cats, Batman & Robin with 2 days per week help of a private Home Care Aide. 

Here are my blogs last year on David E- 59 years of life and memories:

His Professional Life and Accomplishments:

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/03/celebrating-life-of-david-ernst-katague.html 

My donation of $10K to the UPV Library to honor His Memory:

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/10/my-donation-to-upv-library-fund-in.html

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of me in front of the Victorian Dresser- one of the Antiques to be sold during the Estate Sale scheduled for April 7 and 8, 2023

Macrine and I purchased this dresser in the Goodwill Store in Chicago, Illinois in 1960

 

Your Birthstone and Its Meaning

 

In my recent article, I discussed about your month flowers and its meaning. Today it will be about your birthstone.

Each birth month of the year is represented by a unique gemstone, known as a birthstone. Individual birthstones have special meanings as well as unique attributes and can be worn to represent the unique characteristics of the wearer. It has long been a widely accepted belief that wearing your birthstone is a symbol of wellness and good fortune, bringing the owner good luck and warding off bad karma and illness. Typically, each month’s birthstone features a distinctive color, but some gemstones come in a wide array of hues. I have a December birthday. Here are my birthstones and its meaning. Find your own birthstones in the website at the bottom of this page.

December Birthstone: Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, Zircon & Turquoise

Those born during December have multiple birthstones to choose from: blue topaz, tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. The blue topaz birthstone is believed to ensure long life, beauty and intelligence.  Tanzanite has a vibrant, velvety blue color with overtones of purple and is said to be a stone of judgment and long life, promoting wisdom, dignity, truth, and spiritual mastery. While zircon is available in an array of colors, blue zircon is the most common and helps to clear the mind, remove stress, and restore purity. Lastly, turquoise is a symbol of friendship and promotes self-realization and creative problem-solving.

For complete details visit: 

https://www.almanac.com/content/birthstones-and-their-meanings 

Meanwhile enjoy these photos of  David E old watches collection and some golden items in Macrine's jewelry boxes.

 

 

Am I Ready for a Change of Lifestyle and Another Move?

For Sale: 8167 Treecrest Ave, Fair Oaks, CA ( Call Tim Pantle-916-834-6376)
 

Last week, I decided I will sell my 4BR,2.5B single residence(2200 sq.ft) with a big yard to a smaller 2BR (+Den perhaps), 2B condo/townhouse so that I will not be living alone. I have been living alone ( except with my 2 cats) for over a year. I have decided it is not conducive to a longer life being isolated and away from your love ones.

The new location is a prestigious Senior 55+ community with all the amenities a senior citizens desires. It will be more expensive but I will live the few remaining years of my life to the fullest. Now I could start playing bridge again and not scared if I fell no one is around to help me. 

I have hired several professionals and also with the help of my relatives to get the house ready for the market by April 1 with the hope of closing by June 1. The real estate market here in Northern Ca is slow because of the high mortgage rates. There are more available homes for sale than buyers. But My realtor has listed my home to the lowest estimate based on Comparables of Similar home in my neighborhood..    The plan are as follows:

Dumped all junks and prepare for the Estate Sale. Removed all clutter as suggested by the staging Professional. Fixed every thing in the house-both in and outside.

I have hired the service of Tim Pantle, Coldwell Banker Realty. Tim plans on doing this with his 5% commission.

1. Professional Photography-36 professional photos for print and online to make sure the property look its very best

2. Single-Property Website- Professionally design property website that is viewable on all devices and easily shared via social media

3. Just Listed e-Flyer- "Just Listed" announcement eBlast sent to an exclusive list of personal and professional contacts

4. Property Tour- Professionally produced photo slideshow with narration

5. Print Advertising- Eye-catching property advertisement in one of the regions prime print publications

6. TV and Online Promotion- Professionally produced spot featured on Coldwell Bankers' TV Show, At Home in Northern California, Saturdays at 4:30PM, CW 31

7. Property Brochures- Beautiful, professionally printed property brochures to showcase the house.

8. Mobile Brochure- Exclusive Yard Sign with CB Mobile brochure technology that delivers the house unique details and photos to consumer mobile phones

9. Area Realtor Notification- Agents at all local real estate companies in my area notified that the home has come on the market

10. Online Property Syndication- Home displayed on most visited websites, Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia and other popular real estate websites

11. Seller Update- E -Detailed Report outlining everything that has been done to bring the property to market and maximize its exposure

With this plan I hope we will close by June 1, in spite of the slow market and High mortgage interest rates. We hope by middle of May the rates goes down to 6%.   

Meanwhile enjoy this latest photo of me during our Dinner-en-blanc Party on my 88th birthday last December. 

This projected move will be my 13th move( hopefully the last) in the more  than 63 years of my life here in the USA. The 12 moves are detailed here:https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2019/07/our-twelve-moves-in-forty-two-years-in.html