When it’s time to downsize, the house is only part of the job. The bigger challenge for many families is figuring out what to do with a lifetime of belongings. I talk with Jason Smith of Blue Moon Estate Sales of San Mateo and San Jose about how estate sales really work.
Jason got into the business after he and his brothers spent two to three months helping their mother move from a four-acre property to a smaller home. That experience showed him how valuable a professional estate sale team can be.
His team typically plans a sale three to four weeks ahead, though some can be ready in as little as a week. They stage the home, price most items, and market the sale through estate sale websites and social media. Even everyday household goods matter, because a wide variety of items draws more shoppers, who may then discover something more valuable.
Security is part of the plan, too. Jewelry stays close to staff, while medications, legal papers, and family photos are kept in a closed-off safe zone. Families are encouraged to look for valuables first, but the staging process often turns up things they missed, from class rings to blank checks tucked in coat pockets.
Prices usually come down as the sale goes on. Anything left over may go to another sale, an online auction, donation, or a hauling service. Those leftovers can add up, since even getting rid of a single couch can cost $100 to $200.
Jason’s best advice is to call an estate sale company early. Sorting and tossing things on your own before a consultation can remove items that would have sold and create extra work.
Getting the belongings handled well can make the whole move easier, and it helps get the home ready to sell.
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From the Monterey Bay Wayback Machine
Crosby, Stills & Nash Play an Earthquake Benefit at the Catalyst (November 8, 1989)
Just three weeks after the Loma Prieta earthquake, Crosby, Stills & Nash took the stage at The Catalyst on Pacific Avenue for a benefit concert to help Santa Cruz recover. The show was broadcast live on KUSP, letting listeners across the region share in the moment. With much of downtown still damaged and closed off, the concert offered a welcome lift and raised money for earthquake relief. As the Santa Cruz Sentinel put it at the time, the legendary band helped “raise spirits and money” for a community that was just beginning to rebuild.
This Week in Santa Cruz County
Measures D and E Headed Toward Approval
Early election results show Santa Cruz County voters backing both of the countywide measures on the November ballot.
Measure E, a five-year, half-cent general sales tax, had about 59% of the vote in the latest count. The tax would run from April 2027 to April 2032 and is expected to raise about $27 million a year for the county’s General Fund. Supporters pointed to keeping local hospitals and emergency rooms open, along with food and housing assistance and other essential services. As a general tax, it needs a simple majority to pass.
Measure D, a citizen initiative to strengthen protections for the county’s coastline, had about 84.5% of the vote. It updates the county’s 1986 rules on onshore facilities that support offshore oil and gas development, expands them to cover deep-sea mining, and keeps the requirement that future changes go back to voters.
Vote counting continues, so final results may shift slightly before the election is certified.
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Date: Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Saturday
Location: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville
Treasure hunters, this one’s for you. More than 100 vendors fill the fairgrounds with vintage finds, rustic and farmhouse décor, French antiques, garden treasures, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. Grab a bite, sip something nice, and make a day of browsing for that perfect piece to bring home.
Santa Cruz Portuguese Hall “Famous” Crab and Shrimp Feed
Date: Saturday, November 14
Time: 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Santa Cruz Portuguese Hall, 216 Evergreen Street, Santa Cruz
Roll up your sleeves for one of Santa Cruz’s most beloved traditions. Gather with friends around plates piled high with crab and shrimp, enjoy a glass of wine, and stay to dance the night away to live music from the Digbeats.
2026 Harvest Party
Date: Saturday, November 14
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Madson Wines, 328 Ingalls Street, Unit G, Santa Cruz
Raise a glass to the 2026 vintage with Madson Wines. Celebrate the end of harvest Beaujolais Nouveau style, with their fresh young wine, good food, live music, and a warm gathering of neighbors and wine lovers.
Cider & Boots
Date: Saturday, November 14
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Scotts Valley Community Center, 360 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Pull on your boots for a cozy evening of fall fun in Scotts Valley. Start with warm cider, pumpkins, crafts, kids’ activities, and food trucks, then stick around as the music starts and the dancing begins. It’s a festive new community tradition for the whole family.
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Senior Friendly Homes in Silicon Valley South
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