This Bulky Item Could Be Nothing More Than A Hassle To Inherit From A Relative

Books are a huge part of many people's lives, but that doesn't mean they should be included in an inheritance. The truth is that inheriting a book collection from a loved one can quickly come with a few headaches for the recipient. Not only has the average value of some collectible books decreased over the past several years, but books take up a lot of space. Considering the average book is 1 to 2 pounds and roughly 6 inches by 9 inches, a decent-sized collection will require some effort to move. A rental truck can easily cost hundreds to thousands of dollars a day, while shipping books can cost upwards of $70 per box. Then there's the issue of storage: Modern homes tend to be smaller than houses from previous decades. The U.S. Census Bureau reports 2024's median home size is 2,146 square feet — considerably smaller than the 2019 average of 2,518. So, many people just don't have the extra space for a whole new book collection.

Books are also extremely personal, and what suits one person's style or interests may not do the same for their beneficiary. If the collection turns out to be valuable or of sentimental importance to anyone else in the family, that could stir up family drama and possibly even necessitate the hiring of experts to sort things out. Large book collections can also come with inheritance tax obligations or taxes on future sales, and all of those expenses can add up.

Deciding what to do with a book collection depends on the position you're in. If you're currently in the middle of estate planning, talk with your loved ones before finalizing anything. If nobody wants your books, remember that it's often nothing personal. Instead, consider donating the collection to a library, school, or reading program. You can also talk to your relatives about them selling the collection, or start selling your books now to make a little extra money ahead of retirement.

On the other hand, if you've suddenly inherited a bunch of books you don't want, donating or selling may also be the obvious choice. You'll likely still need a temporary storage space, as the process can be both time consuming and overwhelming — especially if you're still grieving. Either way, you'll need to go through the collection carefully, or be prepared to shell out cash for a professional appraiser. Books that are damaged or just not in demand may be tough to sell or donate. Genre matters too — cookbooks can be worth a lot, as can rare editions of classic books or graphic novels. Even so, used book stores still usually only pay out a small fraction of their value and may also refuse a lot of them. Established book dealers in your region can be a faster option, but they too may not pay much. You can also try selling online or to antique collectors if the books are particularly old.