A good estate sale ad leads with the dates, times and address, then lists the best items by category, mentions how people can pay, and includes lots of photos. Below are 6 estate sale ad examples you can copy and edit, plus what to include so serious shoppers and dealers show up on the first morning.
What to include in an estate sale ad
- Dates and hours for each day, and whether early birds are welcome.
- Address (or the street and city, with the full address released the day before if you prefer).
- Headline items: furniture, antiques, tools, jewelry, art and collectibles, with brand names where you have them.
- Room-by-room overview: “full kitchen,” “garage full of tools,” “basement workshop.”
- Payment: cash, cards, Venmo or Zelle. Here’s what to know about taking digital payments.
- Rules: numbers system for the first morning, discount days, and whether buyers must haul large items themselves.
- Photos: 20 or more, one per room plus close-ups of the best pieces.
6 estate sale ad examples
1. Classic full-house estate sale
ESTATE SALE: Entire Contents of Home
Fri and Sat, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Sun 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (50% off)
123 Maple St., Springfield
Lifetime of furniture, dining set with 6 chairs, china cabinet, kitchenware, linens, books, lamps, garage tools and lawn equipment. Cash, cards and Venmo accepted. Numbers handed out at 7:30 a.m. Friday.
2. Antiques and collectibles
ANTIQUE & VINTAGE ESTATE SALE
Sat 8 to 4, Sun 9 to 2
Oak Hill neighborhood, Riverside
Mid-century furniture, vintage Pyrex, cast iron cookware, costume jewelry, vinyl records, framed art, 1950s toys and a large stamp collection. Dealers welcome. Prices firm Saturday, 40% off Sunday.
3. Downsizing sale
DOWNSIZING ESTATE SALE: Everything Must Go
Fri 9 to 3 and Sat 8 to 2
45 Lakeview Dr., Greenfield
Couple moving to a smaller home. Bedroom sets, sectional sofa, patio furniture, washer and dryer, holiday decor, crafting supplies and garden tools. Bring help for large items.
4. Tools and workshop
ESTATE SALE: Woodworker’s Shop + Household
Sat and Sun, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
789 Pine Rd., Hillsdale
Table saw, drill press, hand planes, clamps, power tools, hardware, lumber and a full house of furniture and kitchenware. Cash or Zelle only.
Estate sale this weekend! Fri and Sat, 8 to 3, 123 Maple St. Antique dresser, dining set, tools, kitchen everything, books and decor. Half price Sunday 9 to noon. Photos below.
6. Final-day discount reminder
LAST DAY: 50% OFF EVERYTHING
Sunday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 123 Maple St.
Furniture, tools and household items still available. Fill-a-bag for $10 from noon to 1.
Where to post your estate sale ad
- Estate sale listing websites in your area
- Facebook Marketplace and local buy-and-sell groups
- Craigslist; here’s how to post a sale on Craigslist
- Nextdoor and community bulletin boards
- Bright, simple street signs on sale days; see our sign tips
Tips for a better estate sale ad
- Post a week ahead, then again the day before.
- Name brands and materials (solid oak, KitchenAid, Craftsman). People search for them.
- Be clear about discount days, so dealers come early and bargain hunters come late.
- Don’t list highly valuable jewelry or cash items publicly without a security plan. Here are our sale safety tips.
Holding a regular garage sale instead? See our garage sale ad examples. Not sure which kind of sale you need? Read garage sale vs. estate sale and what an estate sale is.