Moving homes is a chance to start fresh but it can also be tedious if you have a lot of stuff. If you’ve come to the realization that you have far more stuff than you need to carry to your new home, you should consider ditching the clutter.
If you find yourself with a lot of things you no longer use or need, you would be better off selling them before you move. An excellent way to do that is to go through your stuff ahead of the move rather than after, so that you can skip moving a lot more things than you need. There are many ways you can sell your unwanted items and it comes down to the specific item you’re looking to offload. There are several websites that specialize in buying used electronics, while others work well for selling gently used clothing and household goods.
We’ve put together this guide to walk you through selling your unwanted items and making some extra cash in the process. Looking for more moving tips? Here are six tips for moving on a budget. We also have a guide on when and how to change your home address when you move.
Sell locally with Facebook Marketplace
To avoid shipping hassles and fees, Facebook Marketplace is a great option for selling items in your local area, especially bulky or heavy things like furniture.
For instance, if you want to sell a used couch, your listing can easily reach nearby buyers who are searching for just that. You can also boost visibility by sharing the listing with your Facebook friends and family.
Prefer to sell to someone farther away? Facebook Marketplace also offers shipping options if you’re open to making a trip to the post office or UPS.
One of the easiest ways to sell furniture and bulkier items is with Facebook Marketplace.
Sell or trade electronics online
Do you have several old phones and tablets taking up drawer space? It’s time to sell them. Several places will buy your used electronics and you may make more than you think (yes, even that 10-year-old Android phone you’ve been holding on to).
Sell:
If you’re interested in moving up to a newer device, you can also trade in your old one. It still rids your house of clutter while getting you an upgraded phone or tablet.
Trade:
Check out our full list of the best places to sell your used electronics.
Sell gently used items online
If you have gently used clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry, video games or nice dinnerware that you no longer need, consider selling them online. You can use one of the apps below. Note these companies will take a commission for everything you sell.
Poshmark: This online marketplace takes a 20% commission of what you make unless the item you’re selling is under $15. In that case, it takes a flat fee of $2.95.
Mercari: As of March 2024, Mercari has removed all its seller fees, so you’ll get more of your earnings than in the past. You’ll just need to pay a $2 ACH fee when you transfer the money to your bank account.
Depop: When you complete a sale on Depop, the site takes a 10% commission.
eBay: The selling fees at eBay depend on the category of the item you’re selling and its price. Most categories incur a 13.25% fee on the first $7,500 of the price and 2.35% on anything more than that. Items like watches and handbags start at a higher 15% rate, and musical instruments start at 8%.
Selling online is best for gently used clothes and smaller items.
Consider hosting a yard sale
Have a hodgepodge of things you’d like to get rid of? Plan a yard sale on the weekend. It’s a good way to get rid of multiple items at once without worrying about fees or spending money on shipping supplies. Pick a sunny weekend to showcase your belongings and make sure to advertise online and with signs around your neighborhood. Also, be willing to negotiate on the price of some items and offer BOGO deals to get rid of more items. For instance, buy three shirts, get one free.
Donate to charity or neighbors
For anything you’re unable to sell but also don’t want to bring with you, donate it. While large centers such as Goodwill are good options for your unwanted things, you can also try reaching out to homeless shelters and schools to see if they accept clothes or books. Or you can use Facebook to give away your items, but be sure to mark them as “free.” You can either post the free items to your homepage or list them for $0 on Facebook Marketplace.
The Buy Nothing Project is a “worldwide gift economy network” that allows people to give stuff away. Focused on community groups, the free Buy Nothing app lets you donate your items to people in your neighborhood or across the world. Need more moving tips? Here are the pros and cons of plastic moving boxes versus cardboard. And check out how to lift heavy boxes and furniture.
