Shopping at an estate sale is like stepping into someone elses life.
ThatsJess Ziomeks favorite thing about them.
Now, most of her Nashville, Tennessee home is decorated withsecond-hand finds.
Credit:paula sierra/Getty
With years of experience under her belt, she has estate sale shopping down to a science.
Before taking anything home with you, however, theres a few things you should know.
Heres what to avoid at estate sales according to two vintage shopping experts.
Babies will put anything and everything in their mouth, so take care when shopping for them.
While were normally cheerleaders for anything and everything vintage, baby accessories are a strong exception.
Unless youre prepared to do some re-wiring, Ziomek recommends avoiding vintage electronics at an estate sale.
Plug them in before purchasing.
A critical eye is necessary for determining the worth of pieces at these kinds of sales.
I would avoid splurging on anything that you are not confident in the history or value, says Lev.
Use the image search function to look up the exact thing and see what similar items are selling for.
Aworthwhile antiquemay slip through the cracks of the organizers and be priced way under market value.
Still, even if you find underpriced gold, Ziomek recommends pausing before staking your claim.
It’s really easy to get caught up in theenergy of an estate sale, she says.
And if you ask yourself that question, I think you will have a much better outcome.
