Are you excited about visiting an estate sale? Are you interested in seeing what is available, from antiques to comic books and everything in between?

While you may be excited, like many people there is a chance that some of the perceived risks are holding you back from truly enjoying yourself.

In addition to potential risks, there are many myths to be aware of. Here are three common risks, along with advice on what you can do to protect yourself:

1. Not knowing the value of a particular item, thus overpaying for it. This is a common concern, but not one that has to stop you dead in your tracks.

The best thing you can do is learn more about the markets in which you are most interested. For example, if you are a comic book collector you should know what fair value is for the pieces you are looking to add to your collection. This way, you know exactly what you should be paying for an item.

2. Overpriced. Let’s face it: no matter where you are shopping, from estate sales to antique stores to local malls, you always want to get the best deal. If you are concerned about items being overpriced, you can follow the advice listed in point #1 above.

Also, consider this: only attend estate sales administered by reputable companies. The best companies are reasonable when it comes to pricing items, knowing that this is important to every buyer as well as their reputation.

3. Too much competition and pressure. There is no denying the fact that you may have to make a quick decision, especially if others in attendance are interested in the same item as you.

Does this mean you should be pressured into buying something you are unsure of? Of course not. If you are uncomfortable pulling the trigger right away, the item may not be right for you at the present time.

The only time competition and pressure can weigh you down is if you let it.

When you attend an estate sale, you expect to have a good time while checking out the many items for sale. By eliminating the risks above, you can be rest assured of a grade A experience.