Downsizing is Not for the Faint-Hearted- Estate Sale Services

This Victorian dresser that Macrine( RIP) and I was purchased in The Goodwill Store in Chicago, Illinois in 1960. It had been carried and transported in our 12 moves all over the US during the last six decades of our lives here in the US. It is with great sadness that I will part with this furniture very closed to my heart here in the US.   

Downsizing is not for the Faint-Hearted, but it is Part of the Aging Process. My heart melt with sadness just thinking that some of my properties and accumulations for the last six decades will be gone soon.

In my process of downsizing, my realtor gave me a list of Estate Sales Services in my area. After talking to ten agencies,  I decided to hire the services of  James Estate Sales, Sacramento, Ca. Below is information from their FaceBook page.  

https://www.facebook.com/JamesEstateSales/

This is a 3-drawer desk with secret compartment inside. Another antique, I have to part with sadness and sorrow as it reminded me of my graduate student days in Chicago, Illinois, 1959-1964.
 

There are other items for sale, hundreds of collectibles from the Philippines and small souvenirs from our travels in Europe and the Caribbean.  Several pieces of Wood Carvings, and Capiz shell products from the Philippines are for sale. My numerous indoor plants, my statuaries/garden plaques and potted fruit trees/ornamentals and all outdoor furnitures will be on sale. Hundreds of other items of household and collectibles are for sale. Sterling Silver set, Bone China and Depression Glass are also on sale.  China Cabinet, A Curio Cabinet and a Piano are on sale. An electric Bed is for sale. More than a hundred musical pieces including Pinoy Kundimans and Broadway songs are yours for a buck. Garden tools are also for sale.

 

The date of the sale is on April 28, 29 and 30 ( Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from 10AM to 2PM.  It will be first come first serve Basis.  Persons allowed in the house per 30 minutes will be monitored and limited. If you have never attended an Estate Sale here's some information.  

An Estate Sale, also called a Tag Sale in some parts of the country, is a way of liquidating the belongings of a family or estate. These are usually much more than garage or yard sales. They are used when someone is in need of a way to sell items due to downsizing, moving, divorce, bankruptcy, or death. The public is invited into the home and given the opportunity to purchase any item that is priced for sale. At times there are items that are not for sale because the family has decided to keep them or new owners of the house have made them part of a contract to buy the house.

There are several ways that Estate Sales are run. Items are marked with a selling price, and if you want an item you usually pick it up and carry it with you until you are ready to check out. If an item is too large to carry, you can have it Marked Sold. If you do not want to pay the marked price, some companies accept Bids. However, you are taking a chance that someone else might be willing to pay the marked price before the end of the sale when bids are usually opened.

For lining up and entering the sale, most companies use the First Come, First Served policy. This is when a line is formed at the door of the home where the sale is taking place. Lines may start several hours before the sale opens. Most people know how to use this system. There are always those who feel they are entitled to a front spot, but this is not the case.

There is such a thing as Estate Sale Etiquette. Some companies use a Number System, and they usually have some sort of policy concerning this, so be sure to check with the individual companies for their rules. There are also companies that use the Self Start Number System. This type of system is vulnerable to many abuses, and companies that use this system usually do have a strict policy on how they are handled.

Sign-up Sheets are also used and are similar to self-start numbering. Again, there is a chance of abuse here too. Some companies allow everyone in line to enter the sale, and others have limited access. For details read:

   https://www.estatesales.net/learn/what-is-an-estate-sale

I have attended numerous Garage and Yard Sales during my six decades of residence here in the US. However, last year was my first Estate Sales that I have participated. It was my neighbor across the street who was also downsizing. It was also a 3-Day event. I noticed that the first items coming out of her house were potted plants and ornamental followed by some furnitures. On the 3rd day I was curious as there was a 50% sign in the front yard.  There were about a dozen buyers and lookers. I purchased a $2 set of napkin rings that matches my collection of  4-piece shell candy dish for $1. The photo is shown below with my Blue Imari Tea Pot , my green depression glass candy dish and a lead crystal bowl that will be sold this coming April 28, 29 and 30.

I will keep my 4-piece shell-design napkin holder set not because I will use it, but just a memento of my first Estate Sale experience.

 

Some of My High School Poetry and Writings

While looking at some of my accumulations for the past six decades that I am planning for the dump in preparation of my downsizing, I found an album on my High School Memoirs. It contained photos and some of my writings for our high school newspaper. I was the Associate Editor of our Newspaper.

Here are some of my poetry and an article I wrote on the Advantages and Disadvantages of an Eldest Child during my freshman year in high school. 

My First Acrostic Poem and my first teen-age crush-Florence ( an imaginary name)

I realized what my dreams were

Only the whims and fancies of thoughts

They're nothing but abstract dreams

On the blue horizon of the western sky.

Showing my Love to My Motherland-The Philippines and High school, Barotac Viejo High ( BAVIHI) 

Sunset Taken from the Balcony of the Chateau Du Mer Beach House

Reading my above writings again brought pleasant memories of my high school years-1947-1951. Needless to say, I will keep the album of Memoirs of My High School Years.

 

My Bone China is No Longer Needed But My Sterling Silver May Be still on Demand

El Grandee By Towle Sterling Silver Flatware Set For 8 Service 55 Pieces

Price: $2,800.75

Original Price: $3,295.00 (15% Off)

https://www.silversuperstore.com/Towle-El-Grandee-Sterling-Silverware/departments/9087/

I have two items in my planned Estate Sale( April 7 & 8) that I believe have values-the Mikasa Bone China ( Service for 8) and the Towle El Grandee Sterling Silver Set for 12( 55 Pieces). I did some Google search and what I learned is in this blog.

Here's the latest article on why the younger generations no longer need bone china. The formal dinners are out. Instead Generation X loves Barbecue, Picnics and dine in plastic plates, cups and utensils.

"Acquiring a set of china isn’t the rite of passage it was decades ago. Some people still collect it, but nowadays it might not even end up on a couple’s wedding registry.

“More and more younger people don’t see the need to use their space for things that are ceremonial,” said Cecilia Jones, a personal organizer and productivity coach in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Neda Ghaffari , a 37-year-old San Francisco doctor who married last summer, opted to register for modern dinnerware she could use daily or for entertaining. China feels outdated, Ghaffari said, and difficult to maintain, as it normally has to be hand-washed.

“We didn’t register for china because we live in a relatively small condo in San Francisco and generally only entertain small groups at a time,” she said. “We also have limited storage space in our kitchen.”

Moving more frequently and living in tight quarters means people are less likely to accumulate things.

Deidre Bryant, a 32-year-old teacher from Aurora, Colorado, registered for off-white plates from Crate and Barrel ahead of her 2017 wedding. As for china, “the thought didn’t even cross my mind,” she said.

 https://apnews.com/article/china-lifestyle-ap-top-news-us-news-da40a8b9be12c3a734ab5862cc8c3a60 

 

Mikasa Academy bone china - 12 place settings plus serving pieces

Price: $1,350.00

Meanwhile here's a photo of my antique student desk with a secret compartment

that will be also on the Estate Sale.

 

Today is the First Year Anniversary of David E Katague III Death

Three weeks ago, I initiated my downsizing process and hopefully ends my living alone. My two oldest children wanted me to live near them, so in case of emergency, they will be around. First I hired a Realtor, 2nd I have decided to have the services of An Estate Sales Agent and 3rd and the last is the most tedious - packing and throwing my accumulations for the past six decades living here in the US.

My oldest son has already a hired a Dumpster and I am in the process of hiring a trash guy again.  I hired a Handyman to replace toilet fixtures in the master bedroom. The most expensive is fixing the swimming pool and getting ready for the first show and listing of my residence hopefully next month.  Currently, the Real Estate Market is very slow because of the High Mortgage interest rates, but hopefully it will improve in the next couple of months. 

Now to another topic, the 1st year anniversary of David E III death.

On August 10, 2020, Macrine, my spouse for over 63 years passed. Since then David E and I resided in this ranch house in Fair Oaks. Exactly one year ago today, David E had a stroke while at work and after one week in the hospital joined his maker. Since then I was living alone except for my two pet cats, Batman & Robin with 2 days per week help of a private Home Care Aide. 

Here are my blogs last year on David E- 59 years of life and memories:

His Professional Life and Accomplishments:

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/03/celebrating-life-of-david-ernst-katague.html 

My donation of $10K to the UPV Library to honor His Memory:

https://theintellectualmigrants.blogspot.com/2022/10/my-donation-to-upv-library-fund-in.html

Meanwhile enjoy this photo of me in front of the Victorian Dresser- one of the Antiques to be sold during the Estate Sale scheduled for April 7 and 8, 2023

Macrine and I purchased this dresser in the Goodwill Store in Chicago, Illinois in 1960

 

So You Want to be a Real Estate Agent?

So You want to be a Real Estate Agent?

Today, the world stock market went downhill, with 2 banks in the US into bankcruptcy.  It is a wrong time for the real estate market ( to Sell and Buy) as the mortgage interest rates are near 7%.  However, personally I have plans to downsize and list my home beginning April 1 and maybe moved to a smaller place to be near my oldest daughter, so I would not be living alone. It appeared this may have to be moved perhaps another month or so and hopefully the real estate market will improve.   I have hired a realtor from Coldwell Banker and he appears to have the personality of an excellent real estate agent. Today my blog is about Real Estate Agents.  

A recent article from the NY Times discussed that the pandemic had inspired many to be come a real estate agents. The  reasons are discussed in this site:

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/04/realestate/real-estate-agents-pandemic.html

Several months ago, I also had a heart to heart talk with a close relative. She plans to retire early from her high pressure job and planning what to do after early retirement ( only 62 years old). She has a friend who is a successful realtor. This friend had been mentoring her about real estate( how to prepare for closing cost documents etc..) and she likes it.  Her friend is making good money as a realtor. She told my close relative she paid $75,000 in taxes last year.  Her realtor friend was smirking on the $750 dollars that Lame Duck President Trump paid in taxes in income tax a few years ago.

Knowing the personality and abilities of my closed relative, I believe she will be a good and successful real estate agent.    However, I was curious of what is in the Internet on this subject. Here's what I found on the qualities that you will need to be a successful real estate agent( see link below).  Here's a video of the 10 traits you need to have to be a successful realtor.

https://www.bostonrealestateclass.com/posts/12-qualities-you-need-to-be-a-successful-real-estate-agent/

Meanwhile enjoy this photo from my collection

Red Sunset from Bodega Bay. California 2020

and a video of one of Macrine's favorite music, Secret Garden by Poeme

Looking forward for spring and the end of this torrential rain here in  Northern California.

 

Your Birthstone and Its Meaning

 

In my recent article, I discussed about your month flowers and its meaning. Today it will be about your birthstone.

Each birth month of the year is represented by a unique gemstone, known as a birthstone. Individual birthstones have special meanings as well as unique attributes and can be worn to represent the unique characteristics of the wearer. It has long been a widely accepted belief that wearing your birthstone is a symbol of wellness and good fortune, bringing the owner good luck and warding off bad karma and illness. Typically, each month’s birthstone features a distinctive color, but some gemstones come in a wide array of hues. I have a December birthday. Here are my birthstones and its meaning. Find your own birthstones in the website at the bottom of this page.

December Birthstone: Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, Zircon & Turquoise

Those born during December have multiple birthstones to choose from: blue topaz, tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. The blue topaz birthstone is believed to ensure long life, beauty and intelligence.  Tanzanite has a vibrant, velvety blue color with overtones of purple and is said to be a stone of judgment and long life, promoting wisdom, dignity, truth, and spiritual mastery. While zircon is available in an array of colors, blue zircon is the most common and helps to clear the mind, remove stress, and restore purity. Lastly, turquoise is a symbol of friendship and promotes self-realization and creative problem-solving.

For complete details visit: 

https://www.almanac.com/content/birthstones-and-their-meanings 

Meanwhile enjoy these photos of  David E old watches collection and some golden items in Macrine's jewelry boxes.

 

 

Am I Ready for A Change of Lifestyle and Another Move?

For Sale: 8167 Treecrest Ave, Fair Oaks, CA ( Call Tim Pantle-916-834-6376)
 

Last week, I decided I will sell my 4BR,2.5B single residence(2200 sq.ft) with a big yard to a smaller 2BR (+Den perhaps), 2B condo/townhouse so that I will not be living alone. I have been living alone ( except with my 2 cats) for over a year. I have decided it is not conducive to a longer life being isolated and away from your love ones.

The new location is a prestigious Senior 55+ community with all the amenities a senior citizens desires. It will be more expensive but I will live the few remaining years of my life to the fullest. Now I could start playing bridge again and not scared if I fell no one is around to help me. 

I have hired several professionals and also with the help of my relatives to get the house ready for the market by April 1 with the hope of closing by June 1. The real estate market here in Northern Ca is slow because of the high mortgage rates. There are more available homes for sale than buyers. But My realtor has listed my home to the lowest estimate based on Comparables of Similar home in my neighborhood..    The plan are as follows:

Dumped all junks and prepare for the Estate Sale. Removed all clutter as suggested by the staging Professional. Fixed every thing in the house-both in and outside.

I have hired the service of Tim Pantle, Coldwell Banker Realty. Tim plans on doing this with his 5% commission.

1. Professional Photography-36 professional photos for print and online to make sure the property look its very best

2. Single-Property Website- Professionally design property website that is viewable on all devices and easily shared via social media

3. Just Listed e-Flyer- "Just Listed" announcement eBlast sent to an exclusive list of personal and professional contacts

4. Property Tour- Professionally produced photo slideshow with narration

5. Print Advertising- Eye-catching property advertisement in one of the regions prime print publications

6. TV and Online Promotion- Professionally produced spot featured on Coldwell Bankers' TV Show, At Home in Northern California, Saturdays at 4:30PM, CW 31

7. Property Brochures- Beautiful, professionally printed property brochures to showcase the house.

8. Mobile Brochure- Exclusive Yard Sign with CB Mobile brochure technology that delivers the house unique details and photos to consumer mobile phones

9. Area Realtor Notification- Agents at all local real estate companies in my area notified that the home has come on the market

10. Online Property Syndication- Home displayed on most visited websites, Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia and other popular real estate websites

11. Seller Update- E -Detailed Report outlining everything that has been done to bring the property to market and maximize its exposure

With this plan I hope we will close by June 1, in spite of the slow market and High mortgage interest rates. We hope by middle of May the rates goes down to 6%.   

Meanwhile enjoy this latest photo of me during our Dinner-en-blanc Party on my 88th birthday last December. 

This projected move will be my 13th move( hopefully the last) in the more  than 63 years of my life here in the USA. The 12 moves are detailed here:https://lifeinus1960present.blogspot.com/2019/07/our-twelve-moves-in-forty-two-years-in.html

 

Your Month's Flower and Its Meaning

Today is March 1, but I am already thinking of June 1. The date is the estimated date of my downsizing move from my 4 BR,2.5 B (2177 sq. ft ) single residence and living alone to a smaller 2BR, 2 B townhouse/condo with all the Club Amenities ( social, physical, educational  etc...) with Dinah my oldest daughter and hopefully Batman & Robin.  I plan on hiring all professionals to assist me in this move, starting with selling my house, furniture and throwing all junk and accumulations to the Dump.  Wish me Luck! Today blog is about Flowers.   

The Latest Rose from My Garden-August 17, 2022

Rose is the flower of people born in the month of June. Do you know the color of this rose? Fuchsia or magenta?

I thought that my flower is poinsettia being born in the Month of December. I was wrong according to this article:   https://www.ftd.com/blog/celebrate/birth-flowers-what-they-say-about-you  But I am correct in the second article at bottom of the page.

Do you know your birth month flower and its meaning? If you do I salute you!

1. Long before email, texting, instant messages or even phone calls, people used flowers to communicate. The language of flowers — also known as floriography — was popular in the 18th and 19th century. While we now have more ways to communicate, the messages told with flowers are as meaningful today as ever. Each birth month flower has a unique meaning, and is sure to make the recipient feel extra special.

Month	Birth Flower	Meaning
January	Carnation Snowdrop	Admiration, love Hope, rebirth
February	Violet Primrose	Modesty, faithfulness Young love
March	Daffodil	New beginnings, prosperity
April	Daisy Sweet pea	Purity, innocence Blissful pleasure
May	Lily of the valley Hawthorn	Sweetness, motherhood Hope
June	Rose Honeysuckle	Romance Happiness
July	Larkspur Water lily	Positivity, dignity Purity
August	Gladiolus Poppy	Strength of character Imagination
September	Aster Morning glory	Love, affection Unrequited love, mortality
October	Marigold Cosmos	Creativity, passion Peace, tranquility
November	Chrysanthemum	Loyalty, honesty
December	Narcissus Holly	Hope, wealth Protection, defense

2. But according to the article below it is Poinsettia. So I am correct after all. See the photos below:

  https://jadorelyon.com/birth-flower/