Downsizing Advisory Service

Description

Dale Smrekar is a liquidation agent. He says he doesn't know of anyone who does exactly what he does - appraising antiques and other keepsakes and placing them where he believes they will bring the greatest return. The focus of his operation is on retirees moving from a house to an assisted-living facility, nursing home or apartment. Smrekar, president of the Downsizing Advisory Service he runs out of his home in Odessa, charges a $100 consulting fee and 35 percent of item sale prices at auction houses he selects or just less than 30 percent for items he places on eBay. Auction house and eBay charges come out of his percentages. ``I'm like an insurance policy,'' Smrekar said. ``And if I don't know what it's worth, I'll find an expert who does.'' Smrekar (pronounced SMUR-kur) has more than 50 price books for antiques, paintings, silver and other items in the back of his truck. He regularly combs eBay to check values, noting that it now often determines market prices. He says doing it his way allows clients to receive the true market value of items, rather than selling to a dealer or conducting a one-day estate sale and settling for a price. It might take his clients 60 days to get their money, but Smrekar says those who can wait will profit from doing so. ``The two targets for this service are retirees about to move into retirement or nursing homes and families dealing with the loss of a loved one and their estate,'' Smrekar said. ``The headline quote on my brochure is, `What do I do with all this stuff?' I had my mother pose in front of a bunch of furniture, paintings and shelves full of items as the photo to go with that. It was perfect.'' His mother, Marjorie Geiger, died in January. Smrekar, 55, closed his business for several weeks to settle her estate. ``That made what I do more real for me,'' Smrekar said, ``and made me more aware of the emotional issues. Clearing out a house can cause a real emotional turmoil. Knowing when you are emotionally ready to clear it out is very important.'' From Hobby To Business Smrekar accepts clients from Crystal River to Sarasota and east from the Gulf of Mexico to Orlando, though he will consider large estates anywhere in the country. Smrekar says he's a ``one-man show'' for the most part, with his wife helping at times. ``I hope to franchise the operation eventually to other parts of the state and country with high concentrations of retirees,'' Smrekar said. He also gives educational seminars to various groups in his target areas, and recently conducted one for hospice store managers at Gulfside Regional Hospice in New Port Richey. ``It's fun,'' Smrekar said. ``I like what I'm doing. I can't shut up about it.'' Smrekar showed the store managers a painting he purchased at a flea market for $2 that was worth $300 to $400 and noted how the framing and condition of the canvas tipped him off to its value. ``We'd have sold that for $10,'' said Maria Marenghi, manager of the hospice store in Hudson. ``And that's the danger of not being educated on what to look for,'' Smrekar said.

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