We Buy Estates

Let’s Be Honest About Direct Buyouts

The Reality of Cash Purchases

When we buy directly, we aren’t just buying items—we’re taking on the labor, the logistics, and the market risk. You aren’t paying for a service; you’re buying speed and certainty. Our offers reflect wholesale pricing, well below retail value, because we’re factoring in hauling, labor, fuel, storage, unknown condition issues, and the time it takes to eventually resell everything.

Important to understand: We purchase items that have resale value. In many cases, we purchase select items only, not the entire contents of an estate. We’re not a junk removal service—we focus on items we can resell for a profit.

If your priority is the highest possible check, we’ll tell you to go to auction. If your priority is a clean house by Friday, a buyout is your best move.

Some people need the property cleared immediately and don’t care about the money. Some people are facing deadlines they can’t extend. Some people need to walk away from belongings that carry difficult memories. Some people just need the problem solved today, not in six weeks after an auction process.

This is your choice to make. We’ll give you a straightforward offer with no obligation. You can accept it, reject it, or we can discuss an auction approach instead. Either way, you’ll know exactly where you stand.

This approach works when:

• You need immediate property access or cleanout
• Speed matters more than money
• The situation is emotionally difficult and you need closure
• You’re facing a deadline that won’t wait for auction
• The estate is small and auction costs don’t make sense
• You simply need it handled now

Buyout vs. Auction: At a Glance

Feature	Direct Cash Buyout	Professional Auction
Speed	Immediate (Days)	3-6 Weeks
Effort	Minimal (We handle the items we buy)	Minimal (We catalog it)
Payout	Lower (Wholesale)	Maximum Market Value
Best For	Tight Deadlines / Closure	Financial Gain / High-Value Items

What We Buy in Central Ohio

We purchase personal property and estates throughout Central Ohio, including Columbus, Pickerington, Lancaster, Newark, and surrounding areas. For properties outside our service area, we’ll refer you to trusted associate auctioneers better positioned to serve you.

Residential & Estate Assets

• Full and partial estates
• Antiques and collectibles of all types
• Mid-century modern furniture and accessories
• Vintage toys, especially tin types
• Vintage signs of all types
• Jewelry, including costume pieces
• Coins, gold, silver, and precious metals

Firearms & Collectibles

• Firearms, ammunition, and accessories
• Military collectibles
• Petroliana (gas and oil) collections
• Sports memorabilia

Vehicles & Equipment

• Collector cars and vintage vehicles
• Recreational vehicles – ATVs, boats, motorcycles
• Tractors, farm equipment, and implements
• Tools and machinery for woodworking, automotive repair, and commercial shop equipment

Business Assets

• Business liquidations and surplus inventory
• Vintage stereo equipment and radios
• Restaurant and commercial equipment

Not sure if we buy what you have? Contact us—we may still be interested, or we can refer you to the right resource.

Items We Generally Cannot Accept

We focus on items with resale value and are not a junk removal or hauling service. Items we typically cannot purchase include:

• Pianos & organs (unless extremely high-end or rare)
• Modern particle board furniture (IKEA, mass-market items with no resale value)
• Tube TVs and outdated electronics (usually require recycling fees)
• Hazardous materials (paint, chemicals, oil, medical waste)
• General clothing (unless high-end vintage or designer)
• Large outdated appliances (old dishwashers, built-ins with no resale market)
• Industrial equipment (extremely heavy machinery)

If your situation requires total debris removal or disposal of hazardous materials, we can provide recommendations for local services that specialize in those areas.

If Money Matters, Auction Is Better

If you have time and want to maximize your return, auction is almost always the better financial choice. Professional auctions with competitive bidding consistently generate higher proceeds than direct buyouts—often significantly higher.

Hoffman Auctions specializes in on-site and online auctions with marketing that reaches serious buyers locally and nationwide. We handle everything from start to finish, including asset preparation, cataloging, bidder management, and settlement. Marketing costs are deducted from auction proceeds—no upfront fees.

In fiduciary, probate, and estate situations, auctions also provide a documented, market-based outcome that many executors and attorneys prefer for transparency and defensibility.

For most estates and collections where timeline allows, this approach delivers substantially better financial results.

Learn More About Our Auction Services

How Direct Purchase Works

1. Contact Us
Call 614-314-0298 or request a free assessment. Tell us what you have and your timeline.

2. Evaluation
We’ll assess your assets and provide a straightforward cash offer for items with resale value. No obligation. We’ll also discuss whether auction might serve you better.

3. Your Decision
Accept our offer for immediate settlement on select items, reject it, or explore auction options. Your choice, your timeline.

Serving Central Ohio

Licensed Ohio auctioneer and REALTOR®, with nearly 25 years of estate, probate, and personal property experience, plus formal appraisal credentials. Serving Columbus, Pickerington, Lancaster, Newark, and surrounding areas.

We’re straightforward about what we can do, what we can’t do, and which approach makes sense for your specific situation. No pressure, no games, just honest assessment of your options.

Ready to Discuss Your Options?

Whether you need immediate cash settlement or want to explore what an auction might generate, let’s talk about what makes sense for your situation.

Request a Free Estate Assessment or Call 614-314-0298