Estate Auction FAQs | Estate Auction Experts of Michigan

Straight answers from Craig and Maureen Miller. No pressure, no sales pitch. Last updated: October 2026

How do online estate auctions work in Michigan?
We come to the home, sort and photograph everything, write detailed descriptions, and list it all in an online auction on BidItMi.com. Buyers anywhere in the world bid, and we coordinate pickup and shipping. You get paid with a full photo report. Online auctions reach far more buyers than a traditional estate sale, which often means higher prices.

How much does an estate auction cost?
Our seller commission is 35% of what sells, plus a $1 listing fee per lot. Fine Jewelry is 25%. Firearms are 20% and vehicles are 10%. There are no setup fees and no hidden fees. You pay nothing up front, because our fee comes out of the sale proceeds.

What do you take care of?
Everything: sorting, photography, descriptions, advertising, the auction itself, and pickup coordination. We sell an average of 96% of what we list, so clean-out costs afterward are rarely needed.

When and how do sellers get paid?
We pay sellers within 5 business days after buyer payments clear. Your payment comes with a sales report showing a photo, description, and final price for every item.

How do you market auctions?
Every auction is promoted on major online auction sites, in 90+ Michigan newspapers, through targeted Facebook and Instagram ads, and to our email list of over 26,000 subscribers.

How experienced are you?
Estate Auction Experts of Michigan has conducted more than 900 estate auctions and estate sales since 2006. These include residential estates, commercial and industrial liquidations, and court-ordered sales. Craig Miller trained at Reppert Auction School and is a licensed FFL dealer for firearms estates.

Are you licensed and insured?
We carry $2 million in liability insurance and are members of the Michigan Auctioneers Association. Michigan does not currently require a state auctioneer license.

Can you sell firearms from an estate?
Yes. Estate Auction Experts of Michigan is a licensed FFL dealer, so we handle firearm transfers ourselves. Winning bidders can complete the transfer with us, and any firearm we ship goes only to a licensed FFL dealer in the buyer’s area. Our commission on firearms is 20%.

What areas do you serve?
We serve Metro Detroit, Metro Ann Arbor, and Livingston County, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston counties, and communities like Brighton and Howell. Buyers can bid from anywhere, with shipping available.

Who can buy at your auctions?
Anyone. Auctions are open to the public. Register on BidItMi.com, bid online, then arrange pickup or shipping. All items are sold as-is.

How do I get started selling an estate?
Call Craig at 313-600-5451 or email Craig@EstateAuctionExpertsMi.com for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll walk you through the process and handle the rest.