Finding Value: A Guide to Buying Tools at a Real Estate Sale

Real estate sales are great places to find a variety of different types of tools, from gardening to power tools to antique hand tools. It is not uncommon to find tools that have hardly been used and that are in perfect condition and still in the box; or used tools that are generally not in such bad shape that they can be repaired to like new cheaply.

At a real estate sale, you will generally find that the tools will be placed in the garage or basement and will be easy to pick up if you can get to them first. If you are not very familiar with tools (especially those that require electricity or gas), it can be difficult for you to distinguish between the good and the bad and detect whether the tools are worth the price on their labels. Of course, bring a friend who is well-instructed in tools and can help you make a proper selection.

Antique hunters are often on the lookout for ancient tools with an interesting history. Very old woodworking tools, for example, are a collector’s item and have a high resale value. Even if the blades look rusty or the wooden handles a bit dusty, many of these sought-after instruments still have a lot of value to tool hobbyists who are more than happy to give you a little effort to reuse and add. your collections.

Here are some quick tips for buying tools at a real estate sale:

  1. Whenever possible, take out your iPhone and research tools before buying. If you use eBay for your research, you may find hundreds or thousands of results. If you know exactly what you are going to use the tool for, then the increase in power should also be a concern. Will the 18-volt electric drill get the job done, or will you need something a little sturdier, like a 20-volt one? The more you know about what you need, the less research you will have to do.
  2. This may sound silly, but when shopping for a power tool, plug it in to make sure it actually works! You don’t want to come home only to find that you pressed the “power” button and the thing is silent. With fuel-powered tools, such as gasoline-powered items, this could be a more difficult task. If you have to put the tool aside and run for a gas can, go for it. Also check the oil, because a tool that has had oil or fuel for years could be problematic.
  3. If you want to save money, it is best to do a quick price comparison. The same used tool that you find at a real estate sale could be priced at your local home improvement store for exactly the same amount, but brand new. Even if the tool is priced less than $ 10 or less, you’d better buy the tool new. Websites like Craigslist, Amazon, and eBay are great places to find refurbished tools, and many of the sellers offer free shipping.
  4. Before using the tools you have purchased in real estate sales, make sure you know how to use them correctly. This is both a safety concern and a concern to avoid possible malfunctions. If you bought the tool and it is still in its original box and you have the instruction manual, then you are in luck. Don’t be a fool and go ahead and read the damn thing so you know how to use it properly. If the instruction manual is not available, feel free to look it up online or call the manufacturer itself to request one.
  5. Be sure to check the condition to make sure the instrument you are buying does not fall apart. Make sure the handles are firmly in place and not wobbling, look for missing or broken parts, or that there are no cracks. If an electrical cord is frayed, you can easily take it to a repair shop to have it replaced for just a few dollars. You want to check that the pieces of wood are not cracked or dry to the point that they are not recoverable. Heavy dirt or grease won’t be easy to clean, so make sure the tool in question deserves a deep cleaning.

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