Clearing a house after death of relative
Discussion
FiL died earlier this year and he was an avid collector of stamps (a lifetime passion) and postcards. He had over three hundred golf clubs, thousands of golf balls, hundred of books, brown furniture and a houseful of ceramics, glassware and pewter jugs (many of which were golf prizes).
We have been spending the last 5+ months trying to move some of these 'cherished' items on but it seems that no-one really wants them. Books have been dumped because charity shops don't take reference books or books with brown page edges. Even our local library weren't really that interested inb free books.
Stamps (in their thousands!) are a funny one as there seem to be few collectors around these days (contact has been made with the Royal Philatelic Society - of which he was a member) and thus there are fewer people now to sell these to. Brown furniture seems worthless (even the Davenport writing desk!) despite it all being of good quality. Auction seems the only answer.
Anyone else had these problems or have any ideas? I imagine someone could make a pretty good business selling this stuff and making a few quid here and there but that would take an age and frankly no-one here has the time nor inclination to even start. It's a sad way to deal with a lifetime of collecting.
Gold clubs and balls have been sold and we are wondering if there is any sense in selling the pewter mugs for scrap value. No-one uses pewter anymore, right?
We have been spending the last 5+ months trying to move some of these 'cherished' items on but it seems that no-one really wants them. Books have been dumped because charity shops don't take reference books or books with brown page edges. Even our local library weren't really that interested inb free books.
Stamps (in their thousands!) are a funny one as there seem to be few collectors around these days (contact has been made with the Royal Philatelic Society - of which he was a member) and thus there are fewer people now to sell these to. Brown furniture seems worthless (even the Davenport writing desk!) despite it all being of good quality. Auction seems the only answer.
Anyone else had these problems or have any ideas? I imagine someone could make a pretty good business selling this stuff and making a few quid here and there but that would take an age and frankly no-one here has the time nor inclination to even start. It's a sad way to deal with a lifetime of collecting.
Gold clubs and balls have been sold and we are wondering if there is any sense in selling the pewter mugs for scrap value. No-one uses pewter anymore, right?
Edited by Johnniem on Monday 26th June 13:42
Johnniem said:
FiL died earlier this year and he was an avid collector of stamps (a lifetime passion) and postcards. He had over three hundred golf clubs, thousands of golf balls, hundred of books, brown furniture and a houseful of ceramics, glassware and pewter jugs (many of which were golf prizes).
We have been spending the last 5+ months trying to move some of these 'cherished' items on but it seems that no-one really wants them. Books have been dumped because charity shops don't take reference books or books with brown page edges. Even our local library were really that interested inb free books.
Stamps (in their thousands!) are a funny one as there seem to be few collectors around these days (contact has been made with the Royal Philatelic Society - of which he was a member) and thus there are fewer people now to sell these to. Brown furniture seems worthless (even the Davenport writing desk!) despite it all being of good quality. Auction seems the only answer.
Anyone else had these problems or have any ideas? I imagine someone could make a pretty good business selling this stuff and making a few quid here and there but that would take an age and frankly no-one here has the time nor inclination to even start. It's a sad way to deal with a lifetime of collecting.
Gold clubs and balls have been sold and we are wondering if there is any sense in selling the pewter mugs for scrap value. No-one uses pewter anymore, right?
We have had some similar when dealing with father in law's stuff, what is worth a lot to someone is worth barely anything to others. Furniture items have mainly been put on FB market place for not much, lots of fishing equipment was passed to one of his fishing buddies to see if he could sell, with the proceeds donated to charity, a few other bits of use were distributed around the family to whoever wanted them but a fair amount of stuff was sent off to charity shops or otherwise disposed of.We have been spending the last 5+ months trying to move some of these 'cherished' items on but it seems that no-one really wants them. Books have been dumped because charity shops don't take reference books or books with brown page edges. Even our local library were really that interested inb free books.
Stamps (in their thousands!) are a funny one as there seem to be few collectors around these days (contact has been made with the Royal Philatelic Society - of which he was a member) and thus there are fewer people now to sell these to. Brown furniture seems worthless (even the Davenport writing desk!) despite it all being of good quality. Auction seems the only answer.
Anyone else had these problems or have any ideas? I imagine someone could make a pretty good business selling this stuff and making a few quid here and there but that would take an age and frankly no-one here has the time nor inclination to even start. It's a sad way to deal with a lifetime of collecting.
Gold clubs and balls have been sold and we are wondering if there is any sense in selling the pewter mugs for scrap value. No-one uses pewter anymore, right?
When we did the IHT forms, it was surprising how low the value was that we got to when totting up personal possessions. It really made me think about the amount of stuff that gets accumulated over a lifetime, and I've since been spending a bit of time getting rid of my own stuff to try to lead a slightly more minimalist life!
I had to clear my parents house last year had similar issues. The stamps went to a specialist who advised they didn't have much value and they sent them onto auction with funds going to charity. I think they raised something like £18 so better in their pockets.
All books, dvds and music went to a local charity
A lot of it just went to the tip though.
All books, dvds and music went to a local charity
A lot of it just went to the tip though.
Edited by Killer2005 on Monday 26th June 13:46
Went through similar when my father passed away, he collected all sorts of stuff, vinyl, model cars being the two big items where he had literally hundreds of them.
Stuff like vinyl, CD's, DVD's we ended up giving the majority to charity shops, there was no value in them. Model cars were hit and miss and I spent an age photographing each one, documented them and listing on eBay, again they weren't worth much, but fortunately a local collector ended up buying most off eBay and could collect so saved me the hassle of packaging and posting.
Only other thing that I didn't do was try local markets/antiques shops, where I did see model cars etc. That may be an option for you.
It's unfortunately just one of those things where you have to either dump or deal with.
Stuff like vinyl, CD's, DVD's we ended up giving the majority to charity shops, there was no value in them. Model cars were hit and miss and I spent an age photographing each one, documented them and listing on eBay, again they weren't worth much, but fortunately a local collector ended up buying most off eBay and could collect so saved me the hassle of packaging and posting.
Only other thing that I didn't do was try local markets/antiques shops, where I did see model cars etc. That may be an option for you.
It's unfortunately just one of those things where you have to either dump or deal with.
I have to say I'm of the opinion that the executors and beneficiaries didn't pay for the stuff so shouldn't worry about getting value for things, the real value is likely in any property.
In the previous post was a great example, messing around selling a piece of solid furniture for £8 is probably less than its value as firewood. Pick out a few items that might hold some value either financially or sentimentally and then let a charity collect the rest. The sooner its clear and gone the sooner the property can be disposed of. £8 for a piece of furniture will mean nothing to the estate but its worth far more if BHF or whoever can donate to a family in need.
In the previous post was a great example, messing around selling a piece of solid furniture for £8 is probably less than its value as firewood. Pick out a few items that might hold some value either financially or sentimentally and then let a charity collect the rest. The sooner its clear and gone the sooner the property can be disposed of. £8 for a piece of furniture will mean nothing to the estate but its worth far more if BHF or whoever can donate to a family in need.
Really depends on what you're trying to achieve- a clear house, a good home for those previously prized items or a financial reward....
Clear house...simple...call in the house clearance, purported good homes...pop on FB marketplace and if anyone bites that you have a good feel about give it to them for nothing, financial reward the most tricky as said tastes have changed ...quality brown furniture previously worth a lot...nigh on worthless right now..( have no idea why as the Ikea tat will be in a skip in no time)...
When my dad died I spent some time going through sorting what I'd like, then what would benefit others and then phoned several charities with a 'its a whole household with some very choice items the first one round with some labour and a van got the lot...it was a cat charity....the old man hated cats so haunts me still 🤣
Clear house...simple...call in the house clearance, purported good homes...pop on FB marketplace and if anyone bites that you have a good feel about give it to them for nothing, financial reward the most tricky as said tastes have changed ...quality brown furniture previously worth a lot...nigh on worthless right now..( have no idea why as the Ikea tat will be in a skip in no time)...
When my dad died I spent some time going through sorting what I'd like, then what would benefit others and then phoned several charities with a 'its a whole household with some very choice items the first one round with some labour and a van got the lot...it was a cat charity....the old man hated cats so haunts me still 🤣
From going through this a couple of times
1. Take out what is valuable to you - be that sentimental value or proper monetary value. The stamps for example, may come under this category.
2. Get a house clearance company in to take the rest.
You may spot things that are 'too good' to give away, but in reality for most of the stuff; realising that value is more time and hassle than it's worth.
This is a difficult strategy because it's hard to give away a person's possessions, especially if it had value to them. But remember, the possessions are not them or a representation of them. It's just things.
1. Take out what is valuable to you - be that sentimental value or proper monetary value. The stamps for example, may come under this category.
2. Get a house clearance company in to take the rest.
You may spot things that are 'too good' to give away, but in reality for most of the stuff; realising that value is more time and hassle than it's worth.
This is a difficult strategy because it's hard to give away a person's possessions, especially if it had value to them. But remember, the possessions are not them or a representation of them. It's just things.
My mother died last year. She'd kept a whole load of antique furniture, silver (plated) stuff and some first edition books after her divorce from my father and the house was really cluttered. I had to get an auctioneer round for probate purposes. His said it was was all basically worthless "crap", I got a house clearance charity to come round, take the stuff they could reuse and bin the stuff they couldn't. It cost about £700 and they ended up with one van of stuff to reuse and one van of rubbish. Time and tastes change. As someone else says, the value to my family is in the property itself not the things in it. We kept a few sentimental bits, that was it.
Was not directly involved but had an uncle die recently who was an avid collector and amateur archaeologist, did a few discoveries but the academics get/take the credit. Ceramics, pewter, etc, house full of it.
It was sad to see a man's lifetimes accumulations become something my parents were hoping someone would take before they threw them on the skip.
More mainstream, even things like fridges and washing machines couldn't be given away. Although stick some on a skip and you can guarantee some f
ker will steal them. Such is life.
His metal detector is still going strong and being used by my FiL, that's something.
It was sad to see a man's lifetimes accumulations become something my parents were hoping someone would take before they threw them on the skip.
More mainstream, even things like fridges and washing machines couldn't be given away. Although stick some on a skip and you can guarantee some f
ker will steal them. Such is life.His metal detector is still going strong and being used by my FiL, that's something.
I purchased this gaff I am currently in from a a dead dr
He had written lots of papers etc, clearly a clever chap
He had certificates all I’ve the wall, medical books, one room was a library
When we put an offer in the estate agent suggested we mentioned that we want all of the contents included (this got us the house a bit cheaper)
Turns out the kids were not interested in sorting dads stuff out and couldn’t be bothered to bin it
The only thing that was taken was his Rolex collection ( there were lots of boxes and service bits of paper left)
Was really sad, tried to find a good home for all his stuff for a few months for free, but ultimately it all ended up in a a skip
Made me wonder what the point in possessions was
Some random bits of furniture of his we still have
He had written lots of papers etc, clearly a clever chap
He had certificates all I’ve the wall, medical books, one room was a library
When we put an offer in the estate agent suggested we mentioned that we want all of the contents included (this got us the house a bit cheaper)
Turns out the kids were not interested in sorting dads stuff out and couldn’t be bothered to bin it
The only thing that was taken was his Rolex collection ( there were lots of boxes and service bits of paper left)
Was really sad, tried to find a good home for all his stuff for a few months for free, but ultimately it all ended up in a a skip
Made me wonder what the point in possessions was
Some random bits of furniture of his we still have
Edited by Spare tyre on Monday 26th June 14:01
I had to clear an elderly relatives house after she was admitted to a care home.
Then transpired she hadn't actually lived there for a decade ( she was staying with a friend ) and went back each week to add to her " hoarders " collection.
After 6 hours trying to search for anything of value ( post a burst pipe and then various mice etc deciding to squat there ) we had to admit defeat and arranged a full house clearance.
Did find 1000 LP's upstairs which with the help of the Estate Agent we managed to find a local record shop who paid £1 each for the whole lot and collected them.
Then transpired she hadn't actually lived there for a decade ( she was staying with a friend ) and went back each week to add to her " hoarders " collection.
After 6 hours trying to search for anything of value ( post a burst pipe and then various mice etc deciding to squat there ) we had to admit defeat and arranged a full house clearance.
Did find 1000 LP's upstairs which with the help of the Estate Agent we managed to find a local record shop who paid £1 each for the whole lot and collected them.
As you have found, the majority of stamps are largely worthless. The people who used to collect stamps are dying out, and the prices are falling as a result. Other than the stupidly rare ones, I was reading that some stamps are worth a tenth of their peak prices now.
My mother goes on a lot of online antique auctions and a lot of the brown furniture doesn't even attract a single bid. Last time I watched, a lovely set of table and chairs didn't even get a bid at £5. The auctioneer actually stated they were not taking any more of these to sell because nobody in interested.
Just watch though, I bet in 20 years people want them, a bit like G plan sideboards which are now back in fashion. 20 years ago they were chopped up for firewood as nobody wanted them.
My mother goes on a lot of online antique auctions and a lot of the brown furniture doesn't even attract a single bid. Last time I watched, a lovely set of table and chairs didn't even get a bid at £5. The auctioneer actually stated they were not taking any more of these to sell because nobody in interested.
Just watch though, I bet in 20 years people want them, a bit like G plan sideboards which are now back in fashion. 20 years ago they were chopped up for firewood as nobody wanted them.
Suppose when someone has passed on, its easier than if they are still around.
Long story but my mother in law needs to move, its a big house, with many outbuildings, all packed to the rafters with stuff.
Problem is, if you have the space, you hold onto stuff, if you have never had to get rid of stuff you dont have that mental process and the realisation that the world wont end if you tip an old desk, old laptop, bits of carpet or whatever.
I have got better at not hoarding ste, as by and large I will buy a new one in a lot of cases, so easy to end up with loads of old tech you will never, ever use because you spent £800 on it when it was new.
So its been a challenge to get my mother in law to give stuff up, if you have used something at nearly 80 in the last 50 years, you probably arent going to.
Its this terror that you may need it, or someone can make use of it, they have managed all their lives so far without it, and most of it is just outmoded crap.
Problem is, everything has memories attached to it as well, that adds additional complication.
Long story but my mother in law needs to move, its a big house, with many outbuildings, all packed to the rafters with stuff.
Problem is, if you have the space, you hold onto stuff, if you have never had to get rid of stuff you dont have that mental process and the realisation that the world wont end if you tip an old desk, old laptop, bits of carpet or whatever.
I have got better at not hoarding s
te, as by and large I will buy a new one in a lot of cases, so easy to end up with loads of old tech you will never, ever use because you spent £800 on it when it was new.So its been a challenge to get my mother in law to give stuff up, if you have used something at nearly 80 in the last 50 years, you probably arent going to.
Its this terror that you may need it, or someone can make use of it, they have managed all their lives so far without it, and most of it is just outmoded crap.
Problem is, everything has memories attached to it as well, that adds additional complication.
gashead1105 said:
My mother died last year. She'd kept a whole load of antique furniture, silver (plated) stuff and some first edition books after her divorce from my father and the house was really cluttered. I had to get an auctioneer round for probate purposes. His said it was was all basically worthless "crap", I got a house clearance charity to come round, take the stuff they could reuse and bin the stuff they couldn't. It cost about £700 and they ended up with one van of stuff to reuse and one van of rubbish. Time and tastes change. As someone else says, the value to my family is in the property itself not the things in it. We kept a few sentimental bits, that was it.
"It cost about £700".They paid you £700, or you paid them?
How does house clearance work?
We went through something similar with my grandfather. All his stamps went to auction in the end, we used a specialist auction house to value and eventually sell them. The process was fair straight forward, they provided an idea of value from photos and then I delivered the physical stamps to them ready for sale.
https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/departments/stam...
https://www.warwickandwarwick.com/departments/stam...
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff