Restore or not to restore that's my question

I would separate out what I want to sell and have a couple of dealers and auctioneers look at it. If one offers a price you like, take it. If they tell you it would be worth your time to restore the items, then restore them.

Or, if you would enjoy sitting a booth at your local flea market, I bet you could sell a lot of your items to people who are DIYers and want vintage parts!

Hope that helps

: )

Seek out an antique dealer. They will come to your home for a fee. If it's not too expensive, get two options. Good Luck!

leave it alone. You will never recoup the time and money spent if you were to restore it. People often want make such items "their own" through their own efforts.

i suggest you group small items together rather than sellling items individually. This would include doorknobs, hinges etc.

if you have a sale, advertise it extensively. Use Craigslist and other furnishing realted sites to increase attendees. Online sites are much more effective than newspaper advertising.

on the sale day, have plenty of cash and receipt book. I suggest you someone keep an eye on potential shoplifters. Enlist a couple friends or family members to help with the sale. Only you should have power to negotiate price. Also only take cash if your sale is small. Have a no return policy and sell everything. "As is" with no refunds. Good luck.

You have some great items. If you haven't already, separate what you think would sell and photograph those items separately. Are you a craft minded person, because I can see so much potential in the doors and knobs and I'm sure more things. Just decide if you prefer to make it a money venture or not. Good luck in whatever you decide. 😃

leave as is! sometimes restoring items reduces the value. I used to do flea markets...it is not worth the time. If you get the time to do a local flea market, instead of wasting time pricing items, set a flat rate like $2 each on similarly valued items, anything for $4, or $2. You lose on some win on some but it would take a lifetime to sort and sell. I have seen people clear and entire table of items in no time at all with a single price on the entire table. One time do $5 items, or $10 or $2 it saves the time and energy, there is no haggling and by days end you have less to deal with and can go home and pay for you electric bill with items you won't miss in the first place. Been here, done this.

I agree with the posters above. People who buy flea market items usually buy to upcycle them into something that suits their decor. If they want it original, they want it professionally done. That costs money and you'll never recoup the cost. Some people like things to look old and worn. You'll have a broader audience and higher profit if you keep it as is.

i would only restore what is broken.

We have a wonderful architectural salvage in Portland. Taking a cue from them I would say, first of all organize everything you have. Doors with doors, doorknobs with doorknobs, windows with window, sash weights with sash weight. etc. About having a sale. I have had many, many very successful sales. It is definitely o.k. to take checks. Never sell anything early. Post your sale times and stick to them. (people like it, excitement builds up) Make sure you have a sort of entrance and make the exit the same place. Have your cashier near the exit/entrance. For my sales that was always me. I handled the money. I used a cash box. Not a fanny pack. You want your money; bills and coins organized. If you have helpers have them wear an identifying piece of clothing. For me that was always a red bandana tied around their necks. If you have a dealer assess your haul, they will definitely low ball you (they have to make a profit too) With so many items I would sell them myself. An antique dealer coming to your house will not charge you. . . they are looking for stock. If you want someone to appraise your things that is different, but that is just not any antique dealer, that is an appraiser. Don't repair anything unless your sale is of all repaired items. Price everything. the human tendency is to discount things when people ask you how much something costs. Doing it ahead of time removes that psychology. I envy you your fantastic collection! Good luck with it.

I wish you were in south Georgia. I recently bought a house built in 1905. With renovations over the years, luan doors were put in and they are a scarilege.

I agree with Ann...leave it alone!! "Most" people who use these items in their crafts usually want the RUSTY color. When I use rusty items, I first clean up any that is peeling, just a simple wash, soap and water, dry real good and then use a clear acrylic paint on it...rusty look with no peeling/dust of the rust...does that make sense??? LOL!! The door with the opening, that you have setting against the corrugated alum....cut a piece to fit in the top part, build an easy bench, maybe with storage on front bottom, find a mirror, round? attach to alum...coat hooks on door, or even some of your door knobs...would make a great hall coat rack!! Of course paint and distress to your liking....Good stuff!!!

Sell as is, don't waste money, energy and time on fixing any of that stuff. Definitely agree with the comment from Ann and others above.

Love all the things you have, shouldn't be hard to sell at all!

Good luck to ya!

WOW a great haul, and great suggestions!

I would sell them and let other who are going make good use of them being you have collected them and stored them over the years but keep a few door handles or pulls and add them to a bathroom etc as a reminder and other buyer will be happy to use them in there vintage shappy chic farm house. After making a few good bucks buy something for your home you always wanted and that too will be a reminder f dated memorie

Definitely call in atleast two Antique Dealers. They will be very interested! Make sure you get two different dealers to get a fair price.