If you’re planning a downsizing move or managing an estate sale in 2026, the best predictor of what will sell (and what will surprise you) is what buyers actually paid for in 2025.
We reviewed 5,297 sold lots from 58 closed downsizing and estate auctions across North America during the BidRush platform’s soft launch, excluding reseller-style auctions (comics, coins, collectible cards, and similar).
Final bids shown below reflect the closing bid amount excluding Buyer's premiums. Unlike other auction platforms, the seller keeps the buyer's premium when they run their auctions on BidRush.
6 Trends We Expect in 2026 (Based on 2025 Buyer Behavior)
1) Precious metals will stay the #1 “proceeds driver”
Sterling silver and precious-metal categories are the most consistent high-value performers because buyers can value them quickly (marks, makers, weight, completeness).
In our 2025 sold set, sterling/silver lots were a significant part of the sold value while representing a small share of lots — meaning they punch far above their weight.
Examples (sold):
- Reed & Barton Sterling Flatware — $4,402
- Tiffany & Co. Sterling Tea Kettle — $2,561
- 2026 prediction: sellers will increasingly “rediscover” silver in drawers and cabinets — and the auctions that photograph hallmarks and describe sets clearly will win.
2) “Documented” books and paper collectibles will keep outperforming
Not all books are valuable. But when edition/illustrator/subject matter is clear, online bidding finds the right niche buyers fast.
Example (sold):
Example (sold):
2026 prediction: “library downsizing” will become a bigger theme—especially illustrated editions, signed items, and niche collections (art, local history, aviation, design, etc.).
3) Asian ceramics + distinctive antiques remain a steady demand pocket
Buyers consistently bid on pieces that are visually distinct and easy to research (marks, forms, motifs), especially when condition + size are shown clearly.
Examples (sold):
2026 prediction: this category stays resilient because it’s compact, collectible, and cross-border interesting — ideal for online discovery.
4) Mid-century and design-forward furniture will beat generic furniture
Furniture is more sensitive to pickup friction, but design + brand signal still wins. In 2025, MCM-style and distinct pieces consistently pulled competitive bidding versus “standard heavy furniture.”
Examples (sold):
- Mid-Century Teak Scandinavian Desk — $403
- 2026 prediction: sellers will do better with detailed photography (angles, joints, maker marks).
5) Practical “everyday usefulness” creates high competition
Some of the most watchlisted lots in 2025 were simple, functional items — because buyers want usable value and easy pickup.
Examples (sold / high watchlist):
2026 prediction: “useful household” bidding stays strong (kitchen, storage, garden, lighting) as buyers keep prioritizing practical value.
6) Fitness and equipment will move
Bulky items are a hit and miss, but can still perform when the item is great quality, and listing removes friction: working condition, model details, and pickup clarity.
Example (sold):
What This Means for Senior Move Managers and Estate Liquidators
If you’re a Senior Move Manager or Estate Liquidator, 2026 will reward teams who can:
1. Protect proceeds by identifying the small set of “proceeds-driver” lots early—sterling/silver, gold, rare books, identified art, design furniture, and quality equipment—and then cataloging and photographing them properly.
2. Reduce friction on everything else with standardized workflows: clean photos, clear titles, simple condition notes, and structured pickup instructions.
The winners won’t be the teams with the fanciest descriptions. They’ll be the teams that remove buyer uncertainty—marks, measurements, condition notes, and pickup clarity—and use a platform that doesn’t siphon off unnecessary fees.
3. If you’re still using platforms that take a large cut, it’s worth running the math. Some sellers are on track to save six figures annually in fees after switching to BidRush, AND getting more exposure to their brand with co-promotions (see case study).
Seller Checklist (Steal This Before You Start Sorting)
Here’s the fastest way to increase proceeds without increasing workload:
- Pull out anything that’s marked (sterling marks, gold karats, maker stamps, labels)
- Separate complete sets from mixed lots
- Photograph close-ups: hallmarks, signatures, model plates, edition pages
- Add dimensions for furniture/art
- For equipment: include “powers on / tested” (or not) clearly
- Make pickup windows simple and firm (buyers respond to clarity)
- Sign-up for an onboarding call with BidRush - no monthly fees or minimum fees!
Ready to Run a Downsizing or Estate Auction in 2026?
If you’re planning an estate sale or downsizing—and you want a realistic plan for what will sell and how to structure it—start here:
Get onboarding details: https://bidrush.com/sellers/onboarding