Estate Transition is a division of Twice Upon A Time Antiques LLC and Twicetime Auction LLC.  Twice Upon A Time Antiques LLC has been servicing the Brattleboro Area since 1987, celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year. We are a family owned and operated business, offering our Customers and Clients the Best of Both Worlds.  Twicetime Auction LLC opened in 2002 to fill the need left by the closing of Sprague Auction formerly known as Lawton Auction. This year we have found that the need for an Estate Transition division of our companies was overwhelming. The situations I have encountered are usually one family member having to make all the decisions and the work to clean out the family home and make it ready for sale. This causes much undo stress and anxiety since they have their own busy schedule with family and work obligations.

There comes a time in each of our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, when we are faced with making lifestyle choices. These transition points may be of our own choosing, such as downsizing to a retirement home, or forced on us by health issues, death of a loved one, or other related issues. During these times, we are faced with what to do with years of accumulated personal property that no longer physically fits in our new space, does not fit with our new lifestyle, or that needs to be liquidated to meet financial obligations. It is comforting to know there are professionals, such as Estate Transition, who can assist in providing effective advice and services during what is often a stressful time. Estate Transition provides families with an easy solution that will help them get the highest price for their goods and home without the stress or hassle.  Family members often don't have the time to take care of these details and end up selling or giving away those possessions for much less than their true value. During these stressful times, Estate Transition provides families with an easy solution that will help them get the highest price without the stress or hassle. In most cases there are no up-front fees and you’ll never have to take money out of your pocket for our services. We’re paid out of the money you gain from the sale of the goods, and/or home. There’s no hassle. No worry. It just takes one phone call for us to help. Whether it’s a small apartment or a large house our services are there, Estate Transition does it all. It’s as simple and stress-free as that. The time frame is dependant on the size of the home and the amount of outbuildings on the property. We find that once a contract is signed for our services the property can be ready to place on the market in approximately two weeks.  The last step to putting a home on the market is staging. Staging is proven to add approximately 7% more to the value and sell 100 days earlier. Staging a home is placing a minimal amount of furnishings to show the “bones” of the home for sale. We use existing pieces the owner may have or bring in age appropriate items from Twice Upon A Time Antiques LLC. Upon the sale of the property Twicetime Auctions LLC will pick up any staged items for resale before a closing is scheduled.

FAQ's

Q:  How do you estimate or appraise the value of the contents of my estate, and what do you charge for this service?

 

A: The estimate or appraised value of the contents of an estate depends on the current market. Some items are best sold at our retail store, Twice Upon A Time LLC, to receive the best price, other items are best sold at an Antique Auction or General Auction. We give you our professional opinion based on 20 years in business. This consultation is a free service, to enable you to make an informed decision.

 

 

Q: If our parents are moving to another location, either assistant living facility, nursing home or to a condo, does Estate Transition assist in this move? And what would this service cost?

 

A: Estate Transition will facilitate the move of any personal items your parents need to take with them to their new home, and assist the moving of cherished items to family members. The cost for this service will depend on the amount to be moved and where it will be moved.

 

 

Q: Are we responsible to pack and bring our things to you? How do we determine what you consider saleable or non saleable?  

A: Estate Transitions will professionally pack and truck all items from the estate to either Twice Upon A Time Antiques and/or Twicetime Auction.  Estate Transitions will take all saleable items including Antiques & Collectibles, good used furniture, large appliances, patio & lawn furniture, lawn mowers etc., as well as any good vehicles. Non-saleable items consist of general kitchen items such as utensils and modern dishes, general baking and cooking pans, mattresses & box springs, any fiberboard/press board, torn or unusable upholstery etc….

 

 

Q: Would it be better for us to sell our things at a yard sale first before you come and look to get rid of any un-saleable items? 

A: We strongly advise you have us look at any and all items you wish to sell before you throw anything away or sell at a yard sale. This consultation is free and does not obligate you to use our services; it gives you more knowledge to base your decision on.  Items you may think are un-saleable could be extremely valuable. We don’t suggest you have a yard sale before we come; if you have an item that one person will pay your price for, just think what 100 people bidding against an item might pay? An auction determines the greater value.

           

 

Q: How do we decide what should go for sale in the store or the auction?

A: We give you our opinion to where you will most likely receive the better value for your items. We use our 20 years of experience and our professionals to give you the best options.

 

Q: After you take all the saleable items from our home, what do we do with the rest? 

A: First we facilitate the removal of items we cannot sell for you to non-profit organizations. These organizations give you a tax-deductible receipt for your donation. Then we hire people to clean out all trash from the property, leaving your property “broom” clean.

 

Q: What is "broom clean"? 

A: Broom clean is just that, after the trash is taken away we then hire house cleaners to actually scrub floors, appliances, bathroom etc., leaving your home ready for showing to prospective buyers or to turn over to the new owner at closing.

 

Q: What if we need small home repairs done before we put our home on the market? 

A: We hire professionals to repair any small damages inside or outside the home.

 

Q: What if we need a room painted and/or trim work done? 

A: We hire painters to do any work as needed.

 

Q: What do we do about any lawn work done or just mowing the lawn in summer while our home is on the market if we can’t do it ourselves.

A: We hire professional to mow, trim or plow in the winter so the outside of your home looks neat and tidy throughout the time it takes to sell your home. Estate Transition understand how important curb appeal is in order to sell your home at its true value. First impressions mean everything.

 

Q: I have heard about staging my home for the market, why is this important and how do I do this? 

A: Staging a home is very important. It has been documented that a home is more likely to sell at 7% more and sell 100 days sooner on the market than a home that is not stage. Estate Transition will use a minimum amount of furnishing and accessories either of your items or we will use inventory from Twice Upon A Time to bring age appropriate pieces to show your home in it’s best light. Once your home is sold, we pick up any staging items before closing.

 

Q: When would I expect payment from the sale of my goods? 

A: Payment is dependant on which avenue your goods are sold through. The retail store takes up to 8 weeks then any unsold items at that time would go directly through to the next advertised auction. Payment from auction is generally 30 days from last sale. Selling goods through auction generally takes 2 or 3 different sales to complete depending on the size of the estate, and amount of goods. This contract can be modified to meet the needs depending on the situation.

 

Q: Could we expect an estimate of cost before signing a contract with Estate Transition? 

A: Yes, after our initial consultation, we would be able to get estimates depending on your needs. Some need Estate Transition for everything, and some for just a few of our services.

 

For more information contact:

 

Randi Crouse

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(802)376-5467