Interview with Heather Dawson of Maxsold, Licensed Auctioneer, Graduate of the ISA Core Course in Appraisal Studies

What happens to all the stuff when it’s time to downsize, move, or settle an estate?

And perhaps more importantly: How do you know what’s actually worth selling?

In this episode of Not Ready Yet: Curating Conversations for the Aging Journey, Lisa Harper talks with Heather Dawson, a licensed auctioneer and expert in online estate sales, about a resource many families don’t know exists: online auctions.

Heather explains how online auctions can help families rehome belongings, reach a much larger pool of buyers, and sometimes uncover surprising value in things that might otherwise be donated or discarded.

But this conversation isn’t just about money. It’s about the emotional side of letting go.

We talk about the difference between emotional value and monetary value, why costume jewelry isn’t necessarily junk, what to do with collections, why you shouldn't automatically donate items before talking with a professional, and how online auctions can take some of the pressure out of the downsizing process.

Heather also walks Lisa through how the MaxSold process works, from photographing and listing items to bidding, the soft close, and pickup.

And there’s an important reminder woven throughout the conversation: rehoming can be more meaningful than simply trying to make money.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How online auctions can unlock hidden value in personal belongings
• Online auctions vs. traditional estate sales
• Why starting bids at $1 can work
• Emotional value vs. monetary value
• Why costume jewelry deserves a second look
• What makes a successful online auction
• What to do before donating unwanted belongings
• Selling collections without turning it into a second job
• How luxury items can be authenticated
• How MaxSold supports families through downsizing and estate sales
• The concept of thoughtfully rehoming belongings

If you’re downsizing, helping a parent downsize, settling an estate, or simply wondering what to do with decades of accumulated belongings, this conversation is worth a listen.

Because sometimes the hardest part isn't deciding what to do with the house. It's deciding what to do with everything inside it.

Resource

https://maxsold.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@MaxsoldLocalAuctions/videos

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