"What’s Driving the Craze?" Dawn Rushes and Scuffles... The U.S. Goes Wild Over 'Estate Sale' Finds

Estate Sale Craze Sweeps the U.S.

"Bought for $1, Sold for $750"


Furniture, clothing, and belongings sold off in bulk

Reselling brings profits... Reviews go viral on social media

The number of young resellers seeking "Estate Sales" is rapidly increasing in the United States. Estate Sales are a method of selling off all the furniture, clothing, books, tableware, and other household items in a house at once, due to reasons such as the homeowner's death, debt, divorce, or downsizing the household.

Young resellers searching for "Estate Sales" are rapidly increasing in the United States. Estate Sales involve disposing of furniture, clothing, books, dishes, and other household items all at once due to reasons such as the homeowner's death, debt, divorce, or downsizing. Getty Images

With the surge in the secondhand trade trend and the spread of related content on social networking services (SNS), estate sales have gained popularity, resulting in cases where people line up in the early morning and even engage in physical altercations.

"Bought for $1, sold for $750"… The 'Estate Sale' Craze Spreading Across SNS

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on August 11, 2026 (local time), the number of professional resellers is increasing who purchase items at a low price from estate sales and then resell them on online secondhand trading platforms for a profit.

Content related to estate sale sites and reviews are continuously being posted on social media. YouTube capture

At estate sales, antiques, luxury goods, and first editions—whose owners or heirs may not know their true value—are sometimes sold at low prices. Resellers search for these treasures and resell them on online secondhand platforms to make a profit.

In fact, one buyer resold a Baccarat crystal cocktail shaker purchased for $5 for $850, while another sold a first edition of a children's book bought for $1 at a price of $750.

Content featuring estate sale experiences is also spreading on SNS. Dalia Yablon has posted videos introducing estate sale venues across Los Angeles, gathering thousands of followers on TikTok. She commented, "It seems that people find enjoyment watching others on their 'treasure hunts,' even if they do not line up early in the morning to shop themselves."

"Sweeping Up As Soon As the Doors Open"… AI Price Analysis Tools Emerge

As the market expands, competition is becoming more intense. Justin Cage and Kerry Sansaver, who run estate sale companies, reported that fights often break out among shoppers trying to buy items at low prices. At popular estate sales, shoppers commonly line up from dawn, and as soon as the doors open, they sweep items into their bags. Last month, 125 people crowded into an event held at a home in New Jersey, and nearby roads were packed with cars.

The photo is not related to any specific content of the article. Pixabay

The methods for selecting items have also become more sophisticated. Buyers scan ISBN barcodes on books or use Google Lens to check the resale value of paintings, furniture, and clothing on the spot. Recently, AI-powered tools that analyze the prices of estate sale items have also appeared.

Supply is increasing as well. This is due to the Baby Boomer generation downsizing their homes after retirement, which is putting more used goods into the market. There are about 9,000 related businesses registered on EstateSales.net, an estate sale information provider. In a survey the company conducted in 2024, about one-third of responding companies had been established within the past five years.

Young resellers searching for "Estate Sales" are rapidly increasing in the United States. An estate sale is a method of selling household furniture, clothing, books, tableware, and other items all at once, due to reasons such as the homeowner's death, debt, divorce, or downsizing the household. Getty Images

The WSJ pointed out that the popularity of estate sales cannot be explained solely by resale profits. Mackenzie Bunting commented on why she seeks out estate sales by saying, "It is about looking into the stories and lives carried by these items," adding, "For me, that in itself is an experience."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.