Through the Keyhole

Through the Keyhole: An Insider's Look at the Fascinating World of Estate Sales is not just a book-it's an invitation into a world where every door leads to an unexpected adventure. Estate sales are often thought of as simple transactions, a way to clear out a house and make a bit of money. But for those of us on the inside, they are so much more. They are stories waiting to be told, filled with eccentric characters, mysterious finds, and the inevitable intertwining of life and death. This book is a collection of those stories-wild, touching, and sometimes downright bizarre-woven together to give readers a true insider's perspective. In Through the Keyhole, you'll meet the strange cast of characters who frequent estate sales, each with their quirks and stories. There's the woman who arrives early to every sale, convinced that each house hides a priceless treasure meant just for her. Or the gentleman who, despite his polite demeanor, is an expert at haggling prices down to the last cent. And then there's the emotional journey of the families, each sale a final chapter in the life of someone who has passed on, leaving behind not just possessions, but memories, legacies, and sometimes mysteries. One of the most intriguing aspects of our work is the odd and sometimes eerie discoveries we make. From a hidden collection of heartfelt notes tucked away in a forgotten drawer to an antique trinket with a mysterious past, the objects left behind each hold their own unique stories. These finds are more than just items-they are pieces of lives, often filled with secrets, passions, and regrets. And then, of course, there are the houses themselves. Our team has a tradition of naming each house we work in, drawing inspiration from the unique vibes and peculiarities of the spaces. Whether it's "The Dollhouse" filled with hundreds of glass-eyed figures or "The Time Capsule" where the decor has remained untouched since the 1970s, each house has its own personality, its own story to tell. This book is for anyone who has ever wondered what lies behind the closed doors of a stranger's home, who is fascinated by the relics of other people's lives, or who simply loves a good, offbeat tale. Through the Keyhole offers a peek into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, where every object has a story, and where the past is always present, just waiting to be uncovered. CONTENTS Acknowledgments i 1 Welcome to the World of Estate Sales 8 2 The Art of the Sale 10 3 The Team Behind the Magic 14 4 We Call Them by Name: The Houses That Tell a Story 18 5 Meet the Regulars: The Usual Suspects 25 6 The Haunting of the Estate 30 7 The Emotional Side of Estate Sales 35 8 The Odd Jobs We Never Expected 39 9 The Impact on the Community 43 10 Lessons from the Keyhole: Letting Go 47 11 The Final Curtain: Saying Goodbye 51