Sad duty to perform...

[LostInTheWoods]

Sorry to hear about your fil passing. If you could post some picks of the equ. with hrs, im shure the tbn family can give you a few starting prices. I would b glad to look it up and give you a price. Then put it on creigs list and c what happens.

Jeremy

Jeremy,

Thank you. I don't have any pics at this time. I'm not even 100% on exactly what equipment he does have.

I know he had (I hate writing that... "had" )two Ford tractors, eighties models I'd guess. A 4600 and a 5600. He also had a disk mower (7ft?) and a wheel rake, as well as a rotary cutter and a couple other pieces.

 

[DaveOmak]

I agree with the others on holding an auction.
Around here, families hire an auction company and they do all the advertising, selling etc. I have been to many auctions. The most interesting aspect is neighbors from miles come to attend. Seems they want to help out the family. Prices are higher than you would expect.
I have no proof of people paying higher prices to help the family in their time of need but it is an observation that I would like to believe.
In my OP, farming communities are like that.
Here, anyway, food trucks come in to provide eats and it is a pretty cool social event.

Disposing of loved ones items is difficult at best. An auction might make it easier for everyone.

 

[dodge man]

Sorry to here about your FIL.

I agree with others, auction is pretty painless. As far as reserves, I think most auction companies don't like to do that, but it is possible. Its tough to predict what stuff will go for. I've seen something worth $100 sell for $10, and I've seen stuff worth $10 sell for $100. You could probably do better selling the stuff yourself through ads or Craigslist, but it would be a lot of work.

 

[SPIKER]

Im in a some what similar prob. My brother died a week ago, he owed lots of money to me personally as i helped him out for years. He had PKD and it took him from us Monday night the 7th. Anyhow I loaned him $ for a truck which was put in his name. All of the family knows about the $ I have loaned him over last years here and know I bought the truck./ Problem being there was no will and next to no real valuables other than the truck.
I have the truck in my position's but no title and not sure how to get one. here in Ohio wondering what to do.?

Mark

 

[twarr1]

Sorry for your loss.
I agree, auction may be the best way to go. If you try to sell it piecemeal you'll invest a lot of effort and still have the less desirable stuff left over.
We have lots of auctions around here and it seems some things goes for way more than they should and some goes for way less.
You might get an idea of what the family wants to do and keep that in mind when setting up the auction. Might want to keep a mowing rig if you're going to keep the property for a while, for example.

 

[Marveltone]

Having recently lost my FIL last year and my MIL this spring, I can really relate to your situation. My wife was an only child, so we inherited the farm, but there still remains a lot of personal items we have yet to sort through. We hope to deal with everything as the appropriate time comes.

Whereas I have no useful advise, I hope and pray that you and your family can work through this as briefly and painlessly as humanly possible.

Joe

 

[CurlyDave]

With auction, can a "reserve" or minimum price be set for each item?

In the auction I am familiar with, there were reserve prices on a few of the vehicles (cars/trucks) but not on anything else. An auctioneer is not going to be interested in a minimum on furniture and personal possessions. Tractors yes, maybe an implement.

Keep in mind, the purpose is to dispose of all the belongings, not to have a bunch of things left at the end.

 

[WayneB]

One thing that has become popular around here is the Estate Sales. We have several people that operate estate sales and will come in and evaluate the items for sale, tag them with a set price and then take control of the actual sale day (s). Nice thing is they do all the work and sorting and you will know the price prior to the sale day.

They advertise the sale in the local papers and craigs list and I was surprised at the number of people that go to these sales. Turns out to be one large well orgainzed yard sale.

We recently went to one that had farm equipment for sale and all of the items were priced and sold for what was listed on the tag. As for smaller items they were willing to talk about the pricing and accept an offer.

Just might be worth checking out?