Auction Houses Explained—And Why Online Estate Auctions Are Different: Auction House vs Online Auction

Traditional Auction House

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about online estate sales and auctions lately—and for good reason. The pandemic reshaped the estate sale industry in a lasting way. When in-person shopping wasn’t possible in early 2020, many buyers turned to online auctions as a safer, easier way to shop estate sales. What started as a necessity has now become the preferred method for countless sellers and buyers.

But when people hear the word auction, they often picture a traditional auction house: a fast-talking auctioneer, a crowd of bidders raising paddles, and high-end art or antiques up for grabs. While auction houses still exist and serve their purpose, an online estate sale auction is a very different experience—and in many ways, a better one.

Traditional Auction House

Auction houses typically deal only in high-value items—fine art, jewelry, collectibles, and other luxury goods. Sellers bring items to the auction house, where they’re cataloged alongside consignments from other owners. A live auctioneer runs the event, usually held over the course of a single day, with buyers bidding in real time.

These auctions are great for individual high-dollar items, but they don’t handle entire estates. If you’re looking to liquidate a full household, an auction house won’t be the solution.

Online Estate Sale Auctions

An online estate sale auction, run by an estate sale company, is designed to liquidate the contents of a whole home. That means everything—from cars and diamond rings to kitchenware, tools, furniture, and décor—can be included. The variety is endless, and buyers often find incredible deals.

Here’s how it works:

• The auction runs online for 5–7 days.

• Buyers register on the auction site and place bids from the comfort of home.

• All bidding is anonymous, and the competitive element adds excitement.

• When the auction ends, winners pick up their items during designated pickup times at the home.

• Many companies also offer shipping for smaller items, meaning location may not even matter.

For shoppers, this format combines the thrill of estate sale treasure hunting with the convenience of online shopping. For sellers, it offers a faster, safer, and more complete way to handle an estate.

Interested in exploring online auctions for your sale? Visit Legacies on Denver Online Auctions to discover current & past sales—and see if this approach is the right fit for your own estate sale.

Why People Love Online Estate Auctions

If you enjoy estate sales, online shopping, and a little competitive fun, online estate auctions are the perfect fit. Shoppers love the bargains, sellers appreciate the efficiency, and everyone benefits from a process that’s simpler and safer than ever before.

So next time you think auction, don’t just picture the paddle and the gavel. Think of the excitement, variety, and convenience of an online estate sale auction—you might just find it’s the better way to buy and sell.

I won!

If you like estate sales, bargains, online shopping, and a little exciting competition these auctions are for you!