I can advise you here and now about how to deal with large volumes of smalls and larger pieces: designate rooms for antiques, vintage items and smalls (for instance porcelain statues, pottery). If you watch Antique Roadshow, that is a perfect primer for identifying antiques or mid century design. Research what you find see and be thorough enough, because you never know when you will find a holy grail item. Mark the items with an identifier and log it with estimated value.

Then what you should do is research auction houses/venues in your area and really dig in on their reputations and what % they charge. If you do all this, I do believe your parents trust in your decisions will be a profound experience.. I know, for I felt my dear mothers love.

To give you a personal experience here: June 2011 I attended my mothers passing by being there 11 days before she passed. She asked me to help my stepfather several times and I reassured her I would.. in going through her estate, I found the box of sterling flatware and showed my stepdad and he said he'll just put it on the curb. I said NO WAY, I have a connection with a PM buyer-this proved to be a nearly $2,000 return, which gave him the cash to buy some very needed replacement appliances!! You just never know.

What part of TX?