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Welcome

My name is Diane Koskela and I own and operate Empty Nest Estate Sales.

We are the Copper Country's longest running, estate sale business located in the northwestern part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We primarily work out of Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon counties, but if the job is right, we'll travel to your location.

Please look over our website. We offer pointers and try to answer frequently asked questions. We hope it helps you in your decision-making process.

If you need immediate assistance, please call 906.370.5103.

Should you have an Estate Sale?

Have you inherited personal property and don't know what to do? Are you moving or downsizing? Maybe we can help.

We're professionals at managing the liquidation of personal property. We're knowledgeable in the antiques and collectibles markets and can get you the highest prices locally.

We handle it all: sorting, setting up, researching and pricing, advertising, selling, and removal of leftover items. We're thorough and efficient, and we'll take care of your home as if it were our own.

What NOT to do

First of all, DON'T throw anything away! You wouldn't believe the things we find in garbage bags that could have been sold and sometimes are quite valuable!

Often it's the very things that were expected to be thrown away that are highly collectible today. Some might think these items are trash, but they can be very valuable: old road maps and oil cans, local Copper Country memorabilia, vintage sports programs and ticket stubs, hunting & fishing gear, military items, used airline tickets and brochures, just about all old advertising, old dolls (even if broken, some are valuable to collectors who want them for parts), vintage boxes with graphics. Remember, one person's junk is another person's treasure.

We suggest that people take the items they want and leave the rest - and the labor - to us. We'll sort through everything and dispose of the items we know won't sell. Of course, any personal papers that contain confidential information will be properly disposed of or returned to the family.

DON'T have 'pre-sales' for relatives and neighbors. We've heard far too many stories of how 'friends' helped out Aunt Esther by taking all of Uncle Milt's antique rifles and woodworking tools off her hands. Even well-meaning relatives and neighbors can put family members in the awkward position of selling valuable items without knowing their actual value.

Why not just call an an antique dealer?

We LOVE antique dealers; they come to our sales to buy and are some of our best customers! However, let us explain the major difference between us and dealers.

Antique dealers would like to pay as little as they can for your valuable possessions. We, on the other hand, work on commission and want to sell your possessions for the highest possible prices. That means we'll try to get the lawnmower or tractor running and wash the crystal stemware so it sparkles. That can mean more money in your pocket because you have someone working for you.

Unless you know what you're selling and what it's worth, be very cautious when parting with valuable personal property.

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