Atlanta, GA
Your guide to shopping Atlanta estate sales
For savvy shoppers, estate sales are a bargain and an adventure all at once. You’ll find home decor, appliances, clothing, and everything in between well below the original ticket price. At an estate sale, a homeowner’s belongings are organized for sale, often after they’ve passed or are downsizing to a smaller home. Generally, the sales are managed by a third-party estate sale company, which takes a percentage of revenue in exchange for preparing the home’s contents for sale. They usually take place in the home itself, so you can make your way through rooms full of interesting goods, priced and ready for browsing—all while taking a peep inside midcentury ranches, Victorian manses, and Craftsman cottages across the city.
“I feel like Decatur is kind of more your eclectic, artsy kind of town, and then Sandy Springs is a little bit fancier,” says Kelsey Waterworth, owner of Fresh Start Estate Sales. “Different parts of town obviously have different things, but that’s not true across the board.”
Ruth Hartman, owner of Ruth’s Reselling, has her time-trusted favorites. “Tucker, Avondale Estates, Stone Mountain, Decatur—those are our sweet spots,” says Hartman, who has been in the business for more than a decade. Her client families in these neighborhoods are often the first and only owner of the home. “People have been there for 40 years or more. The basement is full of treasures,” she explains. “The wallpaper is usually still up from when they bought the house. The green shag carpet is still there. It’s going back in time.”
Photograph by The Sintoses
Part of the magic of estate sales is exploring the world built by the homeowner, says Randall Hudson of Crystal Clear Advisors. “Everything that is in that house is somewhat of a treasure, otherwise it wouldn’t be there,” he says. “The stuff in the junk drawer or the little tchotchkes that a lot of the younger generation doesn’t care about now meant something to them.”
Estate sales aren’t just a bargain; they’re also a way to shop sustainably, giving used goods a second life. Younger shoppers are increasingly drawn to estate sales, according to Modern Retail. It’s part of a larger secondhand trend among Gen Z shoppers, who are motivated by lower prices, sustainability, and the chance to find something unique and special—such as 1996 Olympic merch, a current craze in the Atlanta thrift scene.
Photograph by The Sintoses
To make the most of estate sale shopping, try taking a photo of an item in the Google Lens app, which will pull up listings for similar items from eBay and Etsy, giving you an idea of its value, age, and origins. Estate sellers set their own prices, however, and may or may not be open to negotiation.
“If you’re here at the beginning of the first day, don’t start bundling [offering a discounted price for multiple items] or haggling,” says Hartman. Waterworth agrees that on the first day, prices may be less negotiable. But don’t be afraid to ask, she adds: “I wish people would haggle more—come and do the dance with me. But also be within limits. Be respectful.”
To stay in the good graces of the fine people who operate estate sales, it’s important to respect the home you’re in, which doesn’t function like a traditional store. Don’t open closed doors or go behind taped-off areas. “Blue tape means don’t go behind it,” Hartman says she tells first-timers.
Waterworth even locks the doors of bathrooms because of past shoppers’ behavior. “Remember the human element of people’s homes,” she says. “You know, this is someone’s family.”
These experts have seen just about everything, including thwarted theft, fistfights, and requests to purchase unusual items. Hudson even sold a car.
“You know what we sold at a recent sale?” Hartman says. “Dirt from the driveway.” She chuckles. “How do you price dirt?”
Photograph by The Sintoses
Estate Sale Shopping Tips
Find (and carefully read) the listings
Most estate sale listings will be found on websites like EstateSales.net, local Facebook groups, or signs posted in the surrounding neighborhood. The listings provide the dates and sale location and generally include helpful information such as hours and parking details, as well as photos of select items to give shoppers an idea of what’s on offer.
Pay attention to details
Some sales are cash only, while others allow pay apps or credit cards (many charge a credit card fee). Others have limited parking and allow you to use the driveway only for loading large furniture. The listings can also tell you what kind of discounts you can expect: Most estate sales mark down items by 25 to 50 percent on the last days of the sale.
Follow the rules
Some sales have a system for entry, especially if it’s the first day or if there are highly sought-after items. You may have to physically wait in line to enter (sometimes people line up hours before opening) or be assigned a number so that when the sale opens, you can enter when your number is called. And, as previously mentioned, respect the space; this is someone’s home.
Look carefully
While the photos in the listing are the best way to understand the “vibe” of a sale, the most unique items may not even be included. Check out the laundry room, garage, and other parts of the house often overlooked by the crowds, if they’re marked open to shoppers: That’s how one recent estate sale visitor found a Hermès scarf in a $2 bin.
Prices aren’t always set in stone
While most items are prepriced, there is usually room for negotiation. Some estate sales offer discounts for “bundles,” or several pieces purchased at once; you may see signs listing this option, or feel free to offer the deal yourself. But be respectful with your haggling—don’t throw out ridiculously low offers and expect it to work.
This article appears in our February 2026 issue.
Advertisement
A fire at a Chamblee apartment and retail complex displaced more than 75 people and caused a partial roof collapse, according to DeKalb County Fire Rescue.
Fire crews responded around 4:37 p.m. Sunday to the Windsor Parkview Apartments along Peachtree Boulevard after reports of a fire on the roof.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue said that crews arrived to find heavy fire coming from the roof and immediately began evacuating people from the building.
Officials said the fire quickly spread across a portion of the roof, leading to a partial collapse.
Thankfully, firefighters said most of the damage appeared to be confined to the roof area.
Many of the people living at the complex spent Monday waiting for answers about when they may be allowed back inside. Some told CBS News Atlanta they were especially worried about pets and belongings left behind during the evacuation.
“We didn’t have to evacuate, as we were both already out of the house for Mother’s Day stuff. But we still have all of our stuff up in the apartment, and we have two cats that are up there, and we’re trying to figure out what exactly the plan is to get all that out of there,” said resident Thomas Wheeler. Hours later, Wheeler and his girlfriend were reunited with their cats.
Others said the uncertainty following the fire has been frustrating.
“There’s just a lot of people around with not a ton of information. The red cross was here. We got to interact with them. It was really a great experience at the Red Cross,” said resident Macy Trego.
The fire also impacted businesses located beneath the apartments.
Some workers told CBS News Atlanta they still do not know when they may be able to return to work.
“I’ve gotta get paid. Rent is high right now,” said Jeremy Snyder, who works at one of the businesses below the apartments.
Windsor Communities released a statement Monday saying it is working with the Red Cross to help displaced tenants.
“We are deeply saddened by yesterday’s fire at Windsor Parkview Apartments, and our immediate focus is on supporting the residents and families impacted by this incident,” a Windsor Communities spokesperson said. “We are grateful to the first responders and local agencies whose swift actions helped ensure residents were safely evacuated and cared for during a very difficult situation.”
The company also said it is maintaining communication with people impacted by the fire while investigators continue working to determine the cause.
Fire officials said the fire may have started from an air conditioning unit on the roof, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Windsor Parkview opened in 2021 as part of Chamblee’s redevelopment efforts along the Peachtree Boulevard corridor. CBS News Atlanta has also reached out to the City of Chamblee for additional information about the development’s role in the city’s broader revitalization plans.
ATLANTA – Drivers in Midtown Atlanta should prepare for traffic changes this week as a new roadwork project begins along 10th Street.
What we know:
The Atlanta Department of Watershed Management said part of 10th Street will close starting Wednesday for sewer repairs.
The construction will impact the eastbound lane between Charles Allen Drive and Monroe Drive.
Officials said the repair project is expected to continue for about four weeks.
Crews will work overnight on weekdays from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. Construction activity will continue around the clock on weekends until the project is complete.
What you can do:
Motorists traveling through Midtown are encouraged to plan ahead and expect delays in the area during the closure.
Atlanta, GA
Three Biggest Questions Facing the Atlanta Hawks Following the NBA Draft Lottery Results
The 2026 NBA Draft has come and gone, and while the results did not go the way that the Atlanta Hawks had hoped, landing at No. 8 overall, but they are still getting a top-eight pick in a deep draft when they are coming off a season in which they won 46 games and made the playoffs. Atlanta had hoped that having the most favorable selection from the Pelicans and Bucks would turn into a top-four pick, but they are going to get a chance to add to their young core with a high-level talent.
Now that the NBA Draft Lottery is over, what are some questions facing the Hawks?
1. Who could they take with the pick?
We will get into other scenarios later, but for this exercise, let’s just assume that the Hawks are going to stick at No. 8 and make a selection.
While the top four picks are likely going to be (in some order) AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson, the rest of the draft does not seem to be as certain.
There is a popular sentiment that the quarter of guards consisting of Keaton Wagler, Darius Acuff, Kingston Flemings, and Mikel Brown Jr are going to be picks 5-8, but that is not as much of a certainity as the top four.
The Clippers are picking 5th, but they just made a big trade for Darius Garland. Brooklyn just took four guards in last year’s draft, and the Kings are always a wild card, though of these teams, they have the biggest need at guard and don’t seem likely to veer from that.
In the NBA, needs is usually ignored in the draft and the best player available is taken most of the time, but it will be interesting to see which players the Clippers, Nets, and Kings decide on.
If those teams do take three of those guards, the Hawks would have their choice of whoever is left over from that group or players such as Michigan center Aday Mara, Arizona guard Brayden Burries, or Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg.
2. Could the Hawks move up or down in the draft?
While I think as of right now that the most likely scenario is that the Hawks stay put at No. 8, they do have some interesting options to potentially move up or down depending on how things fall.
As I mentioned earlier, the Clippers just traded for Darius Garland and if the Hawks wanted to get ahead of the Kings and Nets to land the guard of their choice, they could try and put together an attractive package to try and make a trade with Los Angeles.
The Nets seem less likely to move down, but after taking four guards in last year’s draft, could they move down and try to target another position?
What about a trade down? If the Hawks had been at No. 7 or in the top four, I would say a trade down is unlikely, but at No. 8, there could be an opportunity there for Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh. Would Oklahoma City be interested in moving No. 12 and No. 17 for No. 8? That would give the Hawks three first round picks and if they like a player that could be in that range, that would be a possibility, though all of this is just hypothetical at the moment.
3. Do the Hawks attempt to move the No. 8 pick for an established star?
Saleh has been adamnat that the team is not one player away and that the Hawks wanted to add through the draft, but even in a draft as deep as this one, the odds of getting a star player at No. 8 are long.
It is tough to really gauge the trade market for this offseason right now, but the No. 8 pick is an attractive asset. Could the Hawks try to trade for Celtics star Jaylen Brown? Again, it is tough to know who else could be available this summer and I would bet against the Hawks moving this pick for a veteran player, but never say never in the NBA.
Follow
-
Dallas, TX19 seconds ago
Former Cowboys QB Craig Morton passes away at age 83
-
Miami, FL6 minutes agoBrickell Avenue Bridge openings spark rush hour gridlock concerns in downtown Miami
-
Boston, MA12 minutes agoWhat we know about accused Memorial Drive gunman Tyler Brown
-
Denver, CO18 minutes agoBroncos Ring of Famer Craig Morton, who led Denver to first Super Bowl, dies at 83
-
Seattle, WA24 minutes agoVictim identified in deadly Seattle beer garden shooting on Lake City Way; suspect sought
-
San Diego, CA30 minutes agoSan Diego health officials monitor hantavirus situation as cruise ship passengers return to U.S.
-
Milwaukee, WI36 minutes agoSame name keeps coming up in mock drafts as possible Bucks selection
-
Atlanta, GA42 minutes agoFire at Chamblee apartment complex displaces more than 75 residents, closes businesses