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Expert insights, tips, and guidance on liquidation, appraisals, and asset management.

What is the Difference Between a Reserve Auction and an Absolute Auction?

September 18, 2025
What Is the Difference Between a Reserve Auction and an Absolute Auction? Read on to learn the answer to one of the most commonly asked questions! At Coastal Downsizing, one of the most common questions we hear from both buyers and sellers in Virginia is, “What’s the difference between a reserve auction and an absolute auction?” The terms can sound confusing, but the distinction is simple—and knowing the difference is important when you’re deciding how to sell real estate or personal property. What is a Reserve Auction? A reserve auction means the seller sets a minimum price (the “reserve”) that must be met before the property or item is officially sold. If bidding doesn’t reach that threshold, the seller is not obligated to accept the highest bid. Reserve auctions give sellers security, making sure they don’t part with an asset for less than they’re comfortable with.For example, if a seller

What? It Starts at a Dollar?

September 18, 2025
What? It Starts at a Dollar? Why low opening bids will reach market value in a well-run online auction. We hear this all the time: “If it starts at a dollar, won’t it sell for a dollar?” Short answer: not when the item has real market demand and the auction is marketed properly. In fact, a low opening bid is one of the most reliable ways to reveal true market value, because it maximizes participation and lets competition do the pricing. At Coastal Downsizing, we use dollar starts strategically to attract more bidders, create momentum, and let the market set the pricetransparently.How price discovery actually worksAuctions are a price-discovery engine. “Value” isn’t what a price guide, memory, or a single offer says; it’s what willing, informed buyers will pay today after they’ve all had a fair shot. A low starting bid invites the widest audience to engage. Once bidders enter,

Online Liquidation Auctions vs. Estate Sales: Which is Right for You?

September 11, 2025
Online Liquidation Auctions vs. Estate Sales: Which is Right for You? “What’s the difference between an estate sale and an online liquidation auction?” At Coastal Downsizing, one of the questions we hear most often is, “What’s the difference between an estate sale and an online liquidation auction?” Both can be effective ways to sell personal property when downsizing, relocating, or handling a loved one’s estate, but they work in very different ways. Knowing the differences helps you choose the option that makes the most sense for your situation.An estate sale is what most people are familiar with. Items are tagged with prices and displayed inside the home, and buyers come in during the sale hours to shop. It’s a very “in-person” experience—buyers get to touch, browse, and make decisions on the spot. Estate sales can be a good fit for smaller households or casual downsizing, and there’s an immediate satisfaction