Treasure hunters: Inside the world of estate sales

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - Follow the signs and look for the long line. Dozens will be eagerly waiting for a chance to go “treasure hunting” at an estate sale in southeast Houston.

Four generations of history is on sale with some items dating back to the 1800’s, and everything must go. 

“It’s addictive,” said one shopper.

Many are collectors, some are just bargain hunters.  But for others it’s a chance to make extra cash by buying and then re-selling the items online. 

“It can be lucrative,” said Rhonda Bell from Blue Willow Estate Sales.  “It's better than the stock market.  You could come in that particular clock and buy it for the price that I put on it and probably by midnight you could've sold it for twice that,” said Bell.

But it takes a well-trained eye to spot what’s hot. 

“Those people that are very knowledgeable to find something for five dollars and chill for $100 that's pretty good for a day’s work," she said. 

What’s treasure to one person might be trash to another.  It’s the thrill of the hunt that has so many searching for a bargain. 

“You are my go to 3, 4, 5 sales and not find anything and then as soon as you find that treasure man it's like a homerun and you're hooked all over again,” said a shopper.