Estate sales are more than a transaction—they are often tied to major life transitions like downsizing, relocation, assisted living moves, or settling an estate after a loss. In this episode of Trust This Tactics and Strategies, Attorney Joe Seagle speaks with Marlies Bredel, founder of Orlando Estate Sales Ladies, about the realities of Florida estate sales, the importance of accurate valuation, and why estate sale pre-planning can significantly reduce stress while maximizing value. Drawing from her experience serving families across Orlando and Central Florida, Marlies explains how professional estate liquidation, compassionate guidance, and clear expectations make all the difference during times of transition.
Marlies also shares how she built her estate sale business after the 2008 recession, turning a setback into a service-driven company focused on organization, efficiency, and trust. The conversation covers entrepreneurship, mentorship, assisted living transitions, and asset transition planning, offering practical insight for both families and business owners. Watch the full episode of Trust This Tactics and Strategies to gain expert guidance from Marlies Bredel on estate sale pre-planning, downsizing, and navigating life transitions with confidence.
Marlise Marina Bredel is the founder of Orlando Estate Sales Ladies, a trusted estate sale company serving families throughout Central Florida. With a background shaped by resilience and adaptability, Marlise entered the estate sale industry following the 2008 recession and quickly built a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and compassion.
Known for her ability to accurately value a wide range of personal property—from everyday household items to collectibles—Marlise brings both market expertise and emotional intelligence to every sale. She works closely with families during times of transition, helping them navigate downsizing, relocation, and estate settlement with clarity and care.
A strong advocate for giving back, Marlise integrates charitable support into her business model, ensuring that unneeded items can benefit local organizations and communities. She is also passionate about mentorship and personal development, believing that entrepreneurship is as much about inner growth as it is about external success.
Through her work, Marlise has helped hundreds of families move forward with confidence while building a business rooted in service, trust, and purpose.
💬 Connect with Marlies:
https://www.instagram.com/marliesbredel/
Website: https://orlandoestatesaleladies.com/
Resources Mentioned: https://www.estatesales.net/FL/
Joe Seagle
Hey everybody, and welcome back to another episode of Trust This—the podcast for real estate investors and others in Florida who are interested in asset protection, estate planning, and how to properly pass on wealth and assets. Today I’ve got Marlies Marina Bredel in the studio virtually. Marlies is the founder and owner of Orlando Estate Sales Ladies. Great name, I love it.
Orlando Estate Sales Ladies is a full-service estate sale company that helps families and individuals liquidate household contents quickly and professionally. Marlies has been an entrepreneur for over 30 years and built her business after a major setback during the 2008 recession. She turned that experience into a successful, service-driven company. Her team manages estate sales for a wide range of situations, including downsizing, relocations, assisted living transitions, and estates after a loss, focusing on organization, compassion, and efficiency.
Marlies is widely recognized for her honest guidance about market value, her ability to navigate sensitive family dynamics, and her commitment to clearing homes efficiently—often within 10 days—while maximizing results for clients. Marlies, welcome to Trust This. How are you doing today?
Marlies Marina Bredel
I’m doing great, Joe. Thank you for that introduction. I’m impressed—I’d hire myself after that.
Joe Seagle
That’s the goal. We like to give our guests a good pump-up. Let’s start at the beginning—what got you into estate sales?
Marlies Marina Bredel
I got into the business almost by default. I owned an art gallery at Universal Studios’ Portofino Bay, which I purchased in 2007. As you can imagine, by the end of 2008, nobody was buying art. I managed to keep the gallery open until 2010. During that time, a friend took me to my first estate sale.
The moment I walked into the home, I felt completely at ease. It just felt right. I didn’t know anything about the industry at the time, but something clicked. After closing the gallery in 2010, I began exploring what was next. I found a listing offering training on how to start an estate sale business. I became certified through the National Estate Sale Liquidators, bought a truck, hired my first employee, and never looked back. I’ve been doing this for over 10 years, and I love it.
Joe Seagle
How many people are on your team now?
Marlies Marina Bredel
On any given week, we have between 12 and 15 team members. Many are part-time because we never know what kind of home we’re going to encounter—sometimes it’s a hoarder house, sometimes a more straightforward downsizing situation. I typically have about five full-time staff, with additional part-time help as needed so we never have to turn families away.
Joe Seagle
Walk us through your process. When someone calls you, what happens first?
Marlies Marina Bredel
Most people who call us have never had to liquidate the contents of a home before. It’s often their first time, and they’re scared—whether they’re transitioning, downsizing, or dealing with the loss of a loved one. Many people think someone has to pass away in order to have an estate sale, which isn’t true.
Anyone with a property that needs to be liquidated can benefit from an estate sale. If the home has enough contents, we’re a great option. Our team comes in, sorts, organizes, prices everything, and typically conducts a two-day sale. We then partner with the Salvation Army to ensure the home is fully cleared—usually within 10 days.
Joe Seagle
You mentioned baby boomers earlier and the challenge of liquidating certain items.
Marlies Marina Bredel
A lot of furniture and collectibles from the 1980s and 1990s simply don’t have the resale value people expect. My job is to be honest about fair market value—what a willing buyer is actually willing to pay today, especially here in Central Florida.
We price items based on sold values, not asking prices, and adjust pricing throughout the sale. If an item sells at 60 percent off by the end of the sale, that’s its true market value. I also remind homeowners that while they may have loved something for decades, it’s okay to let it go so someone else can enjoy it now.
Joe Seagle
What advice do you give families who are downsizing or transitioning to assisted living?
Marlies Marina Bredel
My advice is simple: take what you want and leave the rest to us. Don’t stress about purging beforehand. Our process is designed to be seamless and compassionate. Families are already dealing with emotional challenges—our job is to make their lives easier.
Joe Seagle
Charitable giving is a big part of your business. How does that fit into your mission?
Marlies Marina Bredel
We work closely with the Salvation Army. They allow us to keep our promise to clients by ensuring homes are fully cleared, and I deeply respect the work they do—from their thrift stores to their rehabilitation and housing programs. Supporting them aligns with my values and our commitment to community impact.
Joe Seagle
You’ve handled some very difficult situations. What’s been the most challenging?
Marlies Marina Bredel
Some sales are emotionally heavy—hoarder homes, estates after tragedy, and situations where families feel overwhelmed or embarrassed. My role is always to lead with compassion, put people at ease, and remind them they’re not alone.
Joe Seagle
Before we wrap up, who has helped you aspire to a better life?
Marlies Marina Bredel
A mentor named Bob Cheatham. He believed in me before I believed in myself and helped me realize I was an entrepreneur. He coached me through my first business, helped me secure funding, and continues to guide me today. I’ll always be grateful to him.
Joe Seagle
That’s powerful. Marlies, thank you so much for joining us today. Orlando Estate Sales Ladies serves all of Central Florida, and for listeners outside the area, resources like estatesales.net can help locate reputable providers nationwide.
Thanks again for coming on the show, and to everyone listening—until next time, Trust This.
