Quick answer
What you need to know
Photograph the furniture and its maker marks, document damage or alterations, and compare confirmed sold examples of the same model in similar condition. An asking price alone does not show what buyers will pay for your piece.
Identify the piece before assigning a price
Look for labels, stamps, model numbers, and other identifying details on the underside, back, or inside drawers. Photograph them clearly alongside the full piece. Record dimensions and construction details so a researcher can distinguish similar models.
A familiar shape does not establish a designer or maker. If you cannot confirm the attribution, describe the visible features and mark the maker as unconfirmed. Avoid presenting a reproduction or an unidentified piece as an authenticated design.
Describe condition in useful detail
Photograph veneer damage, loose joints, missing hardware, stains, upholstery wear, and repairs. Note whether doors and drawers operate. If a family member knows when the piece was bought or repaired, keep that information with any receipts or paperwork.
Before sanding, stripping, or replacing parts, ask whether that work is appropriate. Restoration costs and changes to original materials can affect a buyer’s decision. Do not move heavy furniture alone to look for a label.
Compare completed sales carefully
Record the source and date of each comparable sale, the model, condition, and what the price includes. A dealer’s advertised price, an auction result with fees, and a local estate-sale transaction are different comparisons. Delivery, restoration, and the time available to find a buyer matter.
Use several relevant examples where available. If the exact model or condition cannot be matched, explain the uncertainty rather than assigning a confident price range from loosely similar furniture. A photograph alone may not show enough to value the piece.
For families preparing an estate sale
Set aside the furniture you are keeping, then leave the sale candidates available for the walkthrough. Share labels, paperwork, measurements, access constraints, and your deadline. Our team can identify pieces needing further research and discuss pricing within the overall sale plan.
If a piece may need specialist authentication or a formal written valuation, discuss that separately. A sale price is a transaction result, not a guarantee of what a similar item will bring next weekend.
For shoppers visiting the sale
Read the listing, bring measurements, inspect condition, and ask about any uncertain description before paying. Check the pickup deadline and arrange suitable help and transport. Review our shopper guide for current sale policies.
Browse Estate Greats sale listings for photographs of the actual inventory. Availability changes as pieces sell; confirm questions with staff at the event.
Talk through the household
Not sure what your next step should be?
Estate Greats offers a free, no-obligation consultation for families, executors, and homeowners in Nashville and the surrounding Middle Tennessee service area. We will ask about the home, the sale inventory, access, and timing, then explain whether an in-home or offsite estate sale is a practical fit.
