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5 Top Estate Sale Companies in the Bay Area

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    Cheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor
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    Cheyenne Wiseman Associate Editor

    Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.

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If you’re searching for estate sale companies in the Bay Area, you might be facing the emotional and practical challenge of sorting through a home full of belongings. This often follows the passing of a loved one or a major life change that requires relocating yourself or a family member.

In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the Bay Area’s most trusted estate sale companies and break down how their services work, how long the process may take, what it might cost, and what you could earn from a sale.

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Popular estate sale companies in the Bay Area

Here are five reputable estate sale companies serving the San Francisco Bay Area:

NorCal Estate Liquidations

NorCal Estate Liquidations offers estate sales, cleanouts, senior transitions, downsizing help, and online auctions across Northern California, including the Bay Area and Silicon Valley. Their experienced, approachable team handles every step — from staging and pricing to marketing and cleanup — providing a supportive experience for individuals and families. They also offer free consultations and can take care of donations, disposal, and even vehicle sales.

Golden Gate Estate Sales

Golden Gate Estate Sales is a family-owned company in Sausalito offering full-service estate liquidations throughout the Bay Area. Their team manages organizing, pricing, advertising, and conducting the sale. They also offer buy-out and downsizing services for those looking to sell quickly or simplify their space, with a focus on professionalism, efficiency, and respectful support during transitional times.

Total Estate Liquidation

Total Estate Liquidation is a full-service estate liquidation company based in Oakland. Since 1998, they have assisted families, fiduciaries, and public and private entities with downsizing, estate sales, and asset liquidation. Their services include in-person estate sales, online auctions, eBay listings, consignment, buyouts, and donation coordination. Known for their professionalism and efficiency, Total Estate Liquidation takes care of everything, from pricing and marketing to post-sale cleanup.

Tate Estate Sales, LLC

Tate Estate Sales, LLC, is a Santa Rosa-based estate liquidation company serving clients across San Francisco, Sonoma, Marin, and Napa counties. They help individuals who are downsizing, relocating, or settling an estate by organizing sales of personal property, antiques, collectibles, and more. Known for their compassionate and efficient approach, the team works to make a challenging process feel more manageable for their clients.

Sweet Home Estate Liquidation

Sweet Home Estate Liquidation, based in Burlingame, has been serving the Bay Area since 1988. Specializing in complete on-site estate liquidation services, they assist clients in downsizing or settling estates by managing the sale of all personal property. Their team offers free consultations and provides walk-through verbal appraisals for a fee. Known for their fast, courteous, and knowledgeable service, Sweet Home Estate Liquidation ensures a seamless experience for their clients.

A home being sold after a parent's death.
Selling Your Parents’ Home After They Pass Away: Take it Step by Step Learn more
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How to Sell a House Full of Stuff (Whether It’s Inherited or Your Own) Learn more

Working with estate sale companies in the Bay Area

Estate sale companies help liquidate a large portion of a home’s belongings through organized public sales. These professionals take care of pricing, setup, advertising, and attracting buyers to help generate strong results. Some Bay Area companies operate primarily online, while others combine in-person and digital approaches.

Estate sales are more comprehensive than garage sales, typically involving a broad range of items like furniture, antiques, collectibles, and everyday household goods. Sales usually last one to three days, with prices often marked down toward the end to help clear out what remains.

After the sale, many Bay Area companies will also assist with removing unsold items, whether through donation, consignment, or disposal — leaving the home ready for its next steps.

Estate sale costs and estimated proceeds

In the Bay Area, most estate sale companies charge a commission on total sales, usually between 35% and 50%. Rates can vary depending on the size and complexity of the sale or the value of the items being sold. In some cases, companies may offer a lower rate for higher-value sales.

This commission affects your final proceeds. According to data from EstateSales.net, the average estate sale brings in around $18,000 to $20,000 in gross sales. With commission rates in the 35% to 40% range, you could expect to net roughly $10,800 to $13,000 after fees.

Many estate sale companies in the Bay Area look for a minimum gross estimate of $5,000 to $10,000 to take on a sale, though some may consider smaller jobs depending on the situation.

»Learn more: Estate Sale Company FAQs

Find more estate sale companies in the Bay Area

While we’ve featured a few trusted estate sale companies in the Bay Area, it’s wise to do a bit of your own research to find one that fits your specific timeline, budget, and communication style. Here are a few resources to help you get started:

How Much Is Your Inherited Home Worth?

If you’re curious about how much your inherited property might be worth, get a preliminary estimate from HomeLight’s free Home Value Estimator.

Get Estimate

Do you need to empty a house before selling it?

It’s not always necessary to clear out a home completely before putting it on the market. Some Bay Area agents may suggest leaving a few pieces of furniture or decor for staging. If the home is already empty, virtual staging may be a useful alternative.

For sellers who want to move quickly without cleaning or repairs, HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform connects you with reputable cash buyers who purchase Bay Area homes in any condition — including those still filled with belongings.

»Learn more: Skip repairs, clean-up, and showings with a no-obligation cash offer

Next step: Sell the home with a top Bay Area agent

Once your estate sale is complete, selling the property is often the next big step. Whether you’ve inherited the home, are downsizing, or simply moving forward in a new direction, working with a top-performing Bay Area agent can help you sell faster and for a better price.

HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool uses real sales data to connect you with top agents in your Bay Area market. According to our research, the top 5% of agents sell homes for up to 10% more than the average agent.

Header Image Source: (Roger Starnes Sr/ Unsplash)

At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Therefore, we promote strict editorial integrity in each of our posts.

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Cheyenne Wiseman

Associate Editor

Cheyenne Wiseman is an Associate Editor at HomeLight.com. Previously, she worked as a writer for Static Media (Mashed.com and Chowhound.com) and as an editor for CBR.com. Cheyenne holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Davis, where she also founded and led a literary magazine called Open Ceilings. She has four years of experience writing and editing on topics including real estate, financial advising, and pharmaceuticals.

Learn more

What is an estate sale?

National estate sale companies

How to sell a house fast in California

California recently sold homes

Find a top agent

Home seller resources

Selling a loved one’s home after they pass away

Costs to sell a house

How to sell a house full of stuff

How to sell a house for cash

Get a free home value estimate

Selling a house as-is

Selling as-is in California

Pros and cons of selling a house as-is

Selling a house in poor condition

What not to fix before selling a house

Receive a cash offer