- September 29, 2023
- 5 minutes read
The Expertise of Chris Bennett and Bennett & Roelofs Estate Service LLC
In a world that often rushes past the past, dismissing it as mere clutter, some individuals possess a unique talent for recognizing the hidden treasures within. One such individual is Chris Bennett, the Managing Member of Bennett & Roelofs Estate Service LLC. With over three decades of experience, Chris has honed his skills in estate liquidation, appraisal, and the discernment of the true worth of personal property and antiques. From his early days as an auction manager in Virginia to his current role as a seasoned expert in the field, Chris has traversed a remarkable journey in the world of vintage and collectibles.
Bennett & Roelofs Estate Service LLC is a beacon of professionalism, offering services in residential and business liquidation and appraisal. Their primary focus revolves around the meticulous management of estate sales. Chris and his dedicated team are responsible for staging, pricing, and selling an impressive array of items, from fine art and antiques to jewelry, vehicles, and household goods. What sets them apart is their commitment to determining fair prices through a combination of experience, thorough research, and careful tracking of market results from various sources.
What fuels Chris’s passion for antiques and collectibles is a lifelong interest that ignited when he was just 12 years old. Growing up in Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he convinced his mother to drive him to flea markets and swap meets, quickly turning his hobby into a profitable endeavor. As soon as he could drive at 15, he expanded his business by seeking out hidden valuables in homes and farms, an experience that deepened his appreciation for the stories behind these cherished items.
In his early years, Chris relied on books, price guides, and the wisdom of those more experienced in the field. Today, he is equipped with cutting-edge tools, databases, and signature/picture recognition software that continually invigorate the research aspect of his work.
But what sets estate sales apart from yard or garage sales, often mistakenly conflated, is the professional management they entail. While yard and garage sales are typically organized by the owner of the items, estate sales are overseen by individuals or companies hired for the task. Bennett & Roelofs Estate Service LLC shines in this regard, offering their expertise when someone has passed away, undergone a divorce, is preparing to relocate, or seeks to downsize.
Chris’s remarkable expertise extends beyond estate sales. He is frequently sought after by a diverse range of professionals and local institutions who require his appraisal services. “There are three local bank trust departments that utilize my services year-to-year,” Chris states. “I also have formed solid working relationships with estate attorneys and realtors within my region. The court system is also familiar with my services. I’m usually hired to perform appraisals for divorce proceedings and to ensure an equal division of assets. I’m also hired by counsel for testimony as an expert witness in the field of antiques and automobiles.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Chris has collaborated with antique dealers, art collectors, corporations, and private clients. He facilitates buying and selling through auction houses and estate auctions while maintaining the utmost professionalism, timeliness, and sensitivity to each client’s unique circumstances, recognizing the emotions that often accompany major life changes tied to estate sales.
The success of an estate sale hinges on various crucial elements, and Bennett & Roelofs ensures that each aspect is meticulously addressed. When a client engages their services, they receive a comprehensive package that includes setup, tagging, pricing, advertising, and sale management. Chris and his team conduct thorough appraisals for all items, ensuring they are priced appropriately. They also take a systematic approach to mapping out and staging the sale, with careful consideration for logistics, loss prevention, checkout stations, and the ideal placement of items. Their meticulous attention to detail ensures that nothing is overlooked.
Advertising is a critical component of a successful estate sale, and Bennett & Roelofs has a well-established network and access to 24 websites for posting sale information. Their team sends out emails that reach 25,000-30,000 potential customers for each event, in addition to providing professional road signs to attract drive-by traffic.
Estate sales can be both profitable and pain-free, but they can also be fraught with emotions, disagreements, and confusion. Regardless of the situation that necessitates the services of a liquidation firm, partnering with seasoned professionals can ease the often arduous journey ahead. When it comes to Wisconsin, Michigan, or Indiana, there is no one better equipped to meet your estate liquidation and appraisal needs than Chris Bennett and Bennett & Roelofs Estate Service LLC.
In the world of vintage and collectibles, these experts are the keys to unlocking hidden treasures, ensuring that the legacy of cherished possessions lives on in the hands of those who truly appreciate their worth. So, the next time you stumble upon a dusty relic in your attic or an ornate piece in your grandparent’s home, remember that within those items may lie a story waiting to be discovered, and a professional like Chris Bennett who can unveil its true value.