25 Things You Should Always Buy at Estate Sales

Estate sales are hotly contested events and with good reason, as the property is usually stacked with a lifetime of treasures and personality. And it’s all waiting to be given a new home.

The process is quite overwhelming with countless people around you and potentially hundreds of items to browse. The trick is to arrive with your eyes prepped. What are you looking for? What’s going to be worth value, either to you and your family or for a resale?

We’ve put together this list of items that you should always consider. Of course, be careful to ensure the price and condition is worth it!

Vinyl Records

For some time there has been a serious vinyl record resurgence, with sales increasing over the last 16 consecutive years. When browsing estate sales, you might find a record that is now worth lots of money. Original prints from decades ago, for example, are highly sought after by collectors.

And aside from the monetary value, it’s great fun to pick out your favorite records and take them home. If you’re looking for something new to start collecting, vintage records are a great one.

Original Apple Products

Apple has sold around 1.5 billion iPhones since its launch in 2006, so there’s a strong chance you’re going to see a lot of fairly useless and unimpressive iPhones. Many of them won’t even have access to the App Store anymore and likely won’t hold the battery.

But, we advise you to look out for original Apple products, like the original iPod or the original iPhone 1. These models sell for a lot of money and are genuine pieces of history. Of course, if you find a recent model for a great price, that’s not bad too!

Real Leather

Real leather clothing isn’t cheap; from belts to jackets and gloves, you’re going to be forking out a fair bit if you’re buying them brand new from a nice brand. So, keep an eye out for the next estate sale you’re attending. If the leather looks in good condition, check the label to see if it’s legitimate leather.

Synthesizers

As a musician, synthesizers are one of the first items I look out for at estate sales. Some people sell synths belonging to relatives without really knowing what they’re worth or what they even are. Some synths can sell for thousands of dollars. It’s unlikely you’ll find one of those gems, but you might find something that you can play and make crazy sounds with.

Plants

Big, fancy, impressive plants are usually pretty expensive. But you can often hit the big score (of the plant world) at estate sales. Best of all, they usually come with a nice fancy planter! It’s a double bargain. Just make sure the plant isn’t showing any signs of disease, and that it’s not poisonous for your pets.

Toys

For the same price as one brand new shiny toy, you can buy a whole box of slightly less-shiny toys for your kids at estate sales. From LEGO and Barbie to collectibles like Star Wars sets and Pokemon cards, you can make someone a very happy kid with a huge haul. Toys are generally pretty easy to clean up if they look like they’ve had better days.

Board Games

Board games are always a worthwhile purchase, at a good price. And no, I don’t mean just Monopoly. It’s time you expanded your board game collection with something different! Some can sell for a lot, so you could be getting a bargain. Remember to have a look at the game description on the box and check inside to see if it includes all the pieces.

Old Consoles

Yeah everyone wants a PS5, but did you know even old consoles are still sold for reasonably high prices? That’s because they still offer unique games and hours of fun. Retro gamers collect them too, so they resell well.

Look out for the likes of NES, Nintendo 64s, original PlayStations and Gameboys. I guarantee you the gamer in your life will enjoy one of these as a gift.

Depression Glass

Depression glassware looks fancy and is a genuine 20th-century American relic. You can find them at estate sales for much less than you will elsewhere. While some can be worth a fortune, most might not be worth that much, but they can still transform your kitchenware into something more unique. Look out for their distinct pale colors and sharp crystal-like patterns.

Original Art

Of course, buying original art might land you some sort of famous purchase worth several million. But, in a much more realistic world, they offer you the chance to gain a decoration of something truly unique and full of character. Keep an eye out for anything that speaks to your soul and hang it on your wall.

Books

You can’t go wrong with a good book. Even if it looks a little worn, the condition usually doesn’t affect its value or enjoyment. You can buy books for a fraction of the price you’d get online or brand new in-store. You might even find interesting novels or guides that aren’t reproduced anymore.

Rugs

Vintage rugs are not just beautiful pieces of decor—they come with a rich history and are often well-crafted. You can get them for a fraction of the price you would either new or in an antique store. Even if they aren’t in perfect condition, vintage rugs can be cleaned by professionals, extending their lifespan. A rug can also transform a room and offer the benefit of keeping your floor nice and warm in the winter.

Unique Lamps

If you’re looking for something to transform your home decor, then a lamp can go a long way. For the same price you might find a new lamp in Target, you could find an Art Deco lamp or a 70s space-age design that can add some personality to your home.

As a pro tip, if it’s an antique lamp then it’ll be worth a lot more if it’s signed by the craftsman. Look for signatures on lamps made by Tiffany or Lalique.

Mirrors

Sure, you can buy a mirror anywhere. But second-hand mirrors from bygone eras are like art. They have had decades or even centuries of reflections before yours. They’re often found in estate sales of homes with dining rooms or powder bathrooms. Just be sure you’ve got a safe way to transport it home.

Vintage Sports Shirts

Retro sports shirts are in fashion these days, with sports fans keen to show off their love for players and moments of the past. Estate sales can feature heaps of vintage sports shirts, as parents and grandparents throw out their kids’ old gear. Look out for your favorite players and teams, or think of someone you love who’d love one too. Just make sure it isn’t fake; check the label and brand logo before you hand over your cash.

Tools

Don’t you hate it when you’re doing projects around the house and you need that one power tool that is frankly too high a price to buy for one project? Well, an estate sale gives you the chance to get these high-quality tools for a decent price. From power drills to sewing machines, you might be able to stock up on spare equipment for a cheap price.

Signed Merchandise

From baseball cards to posters, if you find merchandise with a signature — especially on collectibles like baseball cards or posters — it’s a good idea to ask the seller who signed it (unless you’ve figured it out on your own, in which case you might want to snag it quickly).

You might find something unique that can resell for a great price, especially if the signature is authenticated. Even if you’re not looking to resell, you’ll have something new to show off in your home.

Designer Clothes

Estate sales are great for finding designer clothes at knock-down prices. The sellers are usually desperate just to get anything, so they don’t worry about making a huge cut.

From cocktail dresses and evening gowns to vintage jackets and Nike gym wear, grab the good ones before they’re gone. At the worst, you might need to do a bit of a fur trim.

Uranium Glass

Retro and truly unique, uranium glass is glass that (believe it or not) has uranium added to the glass mix. It gives it a stunning neon green coloration. Although they’re safe to display (but not safe to microwave), they’re better placed as unique glow-in-the-dark display pieces.

They’ve completely fallen out of widespread use now of course, so if you see one at an estate sale, you’ve got to buy it!

Jewelry

You can find really beautiful jewelry at estate sales, with surviving family members often looking for buyers who will cherish the pieces.

Make sure to research the items before you pay so you don’t overpay. Anything of high value will usually have a signature or engraving that shows when and by whom they were made.

Vintage Furniture

Vintage furniture will transform your home rapidly. You might need to take your time transforming your entire home, but it’s all about small steps, right? Every little piece you buy brings you one step closer to your vision.

Some of these pieces can go for very low prices at estate sales, whereas a store or reseller is going to set you back hundreds to thousands of dollars. Reupholstered or refinished furniture is a particularly good idea, but even something like a weird ’70s curved sofa would be pretty cool.

Sports Equipment

Estate sales are often packed with sports equipment, but often that stuff takes up a lot of space. This is your opportunity to start a new sport without paying a fortune.

Whether you’re looking for golf clubs, soccer cleats, weights, roller skates, or tennis rackets, now’s your chance — no more excuses!

Designer Perfume

Usually, any second-hand toiletry is a no-go zone. But designer perfumes offer such a price cut that’s hard to say no to them. Just make sure it still has a scent before you hand over your hard-earned cash. At the worst, you can always resell it or ask someone close to you if they want it.

If the perfume isn’t your cup of tea but the bottle is unique, it could always make for a beautiful display piece.

Kitchen Appliances

Estate sales are really a free-for-all when it comes to kitchenware, utensils, and appliances. Most people are able to find KitchenAid stand mixers, coffee machines, crock pots, fridges and ovens.

You might be able to upgrade your kitchen for a fraction of the price of a new purchase. Often some of these appliances are in good condition or even brand new. Just be sure there aren’t any signs of rust or broken parts.

Nostalgic Finds

We’ll end with the suggestion to buy anything that triggers the kind of nostalgia that is pure happiness. Whether it’s an old trinket your grandmother once owned or a video game that your kid played 24/7, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t buy it if it’s a good price. You’ll be giving it the good home it deserves.