DIY Estate Sales vs. Hiring a Pro: What’s the Real Difference?

When it’s time to clear out a home — whether due to a loved one passing, downsizing, or moving — many families ask the same question:

“Should we do the estate sale ourselves, or hire a professional to handle it?”

At Lion Heart Estate Sales, we’ve walked side-by-side with families in all kinds of transitions. Some started with a DIY sale and called us halfway through. Others handed us the keys and let us do what we do best. The goal of this post is simple: to help you understand the real difference so you can make the best choice for your situation.

What is a DIY Estate Sale?

A Do-It-Yourself estate sale is just what it sounds like: you handle everything. From sorting and staging to advertising and selling, it’s all in your hands.

What You’ll Be Responsible For:

• Sorting and organizing the contents of the home

• Researching and pricing every item

• Setting up tables, displays, and signage

• Taking and posting photos for advertising

• Managing the sale (crowd control, questions, negotiating, security, sales)

• Cleaning up afterward

• Deciding what to donate, keep, or haul away

Some families enjoy the process or want more control, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But it’s important to understand the time and energy it requires.

What’s It Like When Lion Heart Does It For You?

When you hire Lion Heart Estate Sales, you’re getting a team of professionals with experience, resources, and a heart for helping families through major transitions. We bring structure, expertise, and a buyer base that’s already eager to shop.

Here’s what we handle for you:

• Free walkthrough consultation to understand your goals

• Professional staging and setup to create an inviting shopping experience

• Accurate pricing based on market value, demand, and condition

• Professional photos and advertising pushed to our buyer network

• Sale day staffing, security, and checkout

• Donation coordination or junk removal, if needed

• Clear communication throughout the entire process

Many clients hand us the keys and go about their week. When they return, their home is clean, their sale is done, and they’ve made more than they expected.

The Emotional Side of Estate Sales

What most people don’t realize until they’re in it — is how emotional this process can be. You’re not just selling stuff. You’re sorting through memories, sometimes in the middle of grief or transition.

That’s where we come in.

At Lion Heart, we’re not just here to make you money — we’re here to bring peace of mind. We take the pressure off your plate so you can focus on what matters most.

Real Story: When DIY Got Overwhelming

A recent client started out doing their own sale. After two long days of prepping, posting on Facebook, and dealing with a handful of bargain hunters, they called us in frustration.

We stepped in, reorganized the space, advertised it properly, and ran a full two-day sale. In the end, they made over $7,000, and the home was left clean and cleared.

That’s the Lion Heart difference.

Ready to Decide?

If you enjoy the process and have the time, a DIY sale might be a good fit.

But if:

• You’re short on time or energy

• You’re not sure what items are really worth

• You want to make the most money with the least hassle

Hiring Lion Heart is the smart move.

What’s Next? Let’s Talk — No Pressure.

We offer free, no-obligation walkthroughs to help you explore your options. You’ll walk away with answers and a clear understanding of what your sale could look like — whether you hire us or not.

Call or text us anytime. We’re here to help.

Lion Heart Estate Sales – Serving Salem, Oregon and surrounding areas with heart, hustle, and integrity. We’re here to make it easy!