Sell, Keep, or Toss?: How to Downsize a Home, Settle an Estate, and Appraise Personal Property

by Harry L. Rinker

Sell, Keep, or Toss is a unique guide to dealing with personal property during life's transitions. Whether downsizing to a smaller home or dispersing the contents of a loved one’s estate, collectibles expert and professional appraiser Harry Rinker helps to simplify the complicated personal, familial, and financial decisions involved in clearing out a house. With practical, down-to-earth advice, Rinker shows how to determine what to Sell, Keep or Toss , and guides you through the intricacies of how to do it, including how

• Pass treasured mementos to future generations
• Recognize valuable collections
• Find reputable appraisers and auctioneers
• Get a tax benefit from donating unwanted items
• Maximize the profit on items sold

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference

272 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2007

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a packrat. I come from a line of packrats. What to do with all the stuff? Sadly, this book confirms it: it will be a lot of work and expense to dispose of. Sigh.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's decent but not earthshatteringly helpful. I expected some real insights on items I own but what I got was fairly superficial commonsense advice that I could have written - and most of you could have too.

Disappointing, but slightly useful.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was somewhat helpful, but oddly specific, and much of the information isn't relevant for me to reference at this point in time.

[Dee Renee Chesnut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Without this book, I would not have known how long is appropriate to settle an estate (have a 4-month plan and expect it to take at least 6-months) or downsize (8-week plan.) I would likely to have continued to believe it would take as long as it takes and continue to procrastinate even while thinking I was making progress. I would have spent too much time thinking that my stuff might be wanted by others who could fix it.

[Hanna Melangton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my constant quest to get organized and declutter, I make a habit of reading these type of books. There were some good tips in it and I feel if I can improve my life w/ a few tips then it's a useful read. The section on garage sales was good.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise & to the point, lots of practical advice from auction house to scrap metal yard, Rinker guides you on how to get rid of anything of value, keep what's important to you & figure out the difference!

[Joyce Calagos]

What to consider in determinig how to downsize, or,to settle an estate. I found the book very helpful.

[Teddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone needing to settle an estate. It gives you ideas of where to get rid of items and how to find or place a value on items. I found it very helpful.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent starting point, but a lot of it's pretty simplistic.