Declutter Before You Move: Sell Unwanted Items for Extra Cash

Everyone agrees that packing up everything before a move requires some serious elbow grease and entails a lot of stress related to the whole ordeal.

A report by Gitnux suggests that 61% of people consider moving as the highest stressors, starting a new job and divorce. This is because packing and moving to a different location is time-consuming and difficult, even if you hire movers.

So, how do you drop the extra weight? You simply get rid of items that no longer serve a purpose in your life. And, while you’re at it, you can also make some extra cash.

In this article, we will share details about how you can sell unwanted items online, as well as a list of reputable platforms to help you explore your options.

Why Should You Declutter Before You Move?

Moving homes can be overwhelming, whether you find a better neighborhood, go abroad for job opportunities, or simply don’t want to bear the costs of extending your lease.

Amidst all the packing, it’s also crucial that you declutter the space to get rid of unnecessary items, and here’s why:

Save Time and Money: Simply put, having to pack a few items saves time, and the fewer the boxes, the lower the transportation costs.
Fresh Start: Having fewer belongings presents the opportunity to start fresh because you can buy new items for your next home.
Prioritizing Items: You can set realistic goals for your belongings and eliminate unnecessary items left gathering dust and causing clutter because you don’t use or need them.
Less Stress: Moving is stressful, and having fewer items means you’ll be in control of the situation with fewer boxes to pack, organize, and keep track of.
Sustainable Approach: For those living the green life, selling your items and giving them a second lease on life is a great way to reduce waste and carbon footprint.

How To Successfully Resell Items Online?

1. Choosing A Reselling Platform

Using reputable platforms like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace is best when selling items online. These platforms offer robust security features and have a broad audience, attracting serious buyers. They also provide seller protection and have systems in place to handle disputes, which can boost your credibility as a seller. Listing items is easy, and managing sales is convenient on these platforms.

2. Protecting Personal Data

Selling items online requires sharing personal details, but prioritizing privacy is essential. To protect yourself, use a dedicated email address for your selling activities. Avoid sharing your home address when selling locally, and opt for public meetups. On platforms with shipping options, utilize their systems to keep your address private. For transactions involving valuable items or legal documents, consider using an online notary service to verify the identity of buyers and sellers, adding an extra layer of security.

3. Writing Accurate Descriptions

When selling items, providing a detailed and accurate description is crucial for attracting severe buyers, setting clear expectations, and ensuring smooth transactions. To build trust and avoid disputes, you must be honest about the item’s condition, dimensions, and defects. This approach reduces the likelihood of complaints and returns, making the online selling experience smoother and more efficient.

4. Taking Pictures

High-quality photos attract buyers and build trust when selling online items. Make sure your items are well-lit and photographed from different angles. Including close-ups of any flaws can help prevent disputes. Good photos will sell your items faster.

5. Pricing Items

Research similar items online to determine a competitive price. Overpricing can deter buyers, but also be wary of underpricing because it may raise questions about the item’s quality. Review completed listings on your selected platform to see the sale price of similar items. If you’re uncertain about pricing, consider using an escrow service for high-value items.

6. Safe Payments

Always use secure payment methods to ensure your safety when making transactions. Avoid wire transfers or cash payments, and opt for platforms like PayPal that offer buyer and seller protection. When shipping items, use trackable shipping methods and provide the tracking number to the buyer. You must consider title insurance for valuable items to protect yourself against potential disputes over ownership.

7. Clear Communication

When responding to inquiries, it’s important to be prompt and courteous to build trust and ensure a smooth transaction. Clear communication is key, and providing additional photos or information when requested can be helpful. It’s also recommended that the platform’s messaging system be used to record all communications.

Platforms To Sell Unwanted Items Online

Moving is the optimal time to declutter. Visit each room in the house and decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard to reduce the items you need to pack and move, making the process more efficient.

If you want to make some cash on unwanted items but don’t know where to find buyers, these online platforms are the most efficient way to get the job done:

Facebook Marketplace

Offering both online sales and local pickups, Facebook Marketplace is an efficient platform to sell used items. It’s beneficial because of its broad user base; your listings receive exposure from large audiences, increasing the chance of a quick sale. You only need a Facebook account to post you, but follow safe practices when sharing your personal information with potential buyers.

Etsy

Popularly known for selling vintage or handmade items, clothing, decor, and crafts, Etsy has an astonishing 31.7 million active buyers. Some best-selling categories are handcrafted, personalized, made-to-order products and digital downloads. With a 20-cent listing fee and a 5 percent sale fee, Etsy offers considerably low prices. You can also leverage trends, holidays, or current events to drive sales.

Whatnot

Whatnot is a dynamic online marketplace established in 2019, initially focusing on selling collectibles such as Funko Pops. Its selling categories have gained a global audience, making it the most lucrative live-selling platform globally. It also serves as a traditional marketplace for still listings and is particularly popular among resellers due to its innovative app, live-streaming sales, and a classic market for listings. Popular categories include trading sports cards, card games (Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon), video games, toys, collectibles, comics or manga, movies, and other media.

Poshmark

With Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton marking the top-selling brands on Poshmark, there’s no doubt that this platform is a personal favorite for resellers of luxury men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel. It also accommodates sales of home decor, pet items, and electronics. With a community of over 80 million members in the United States and Canada, Poshmark is a leading social e-commerce marketplace for new and secondhand fashion. Despite requiring social interaction and sharing, its interface and social community appeal to resellers.

Amazon

Amazon provides an extensive and cost-effective marketplace similar to eBay. With an essential individual seller’s account, you can list items for free and pay only $0.99 per item sold in addition to the commission. Best-selling items include DVDs, books, and video games. To boost sales, consider lowering the price of your items for faster sales.

Craigslist

Craigslist is simple and does not require creating an account to start selling. You just have to share an encrypted email address, but this anonymity also has disadvantages like scammers. That’s why following Craigslist’s guidelines is important before finalizing a deal. In addition, screen potential buyers for any red flags; if they’re clear and you decide to go ahead with the sale, make sure you meet in public if you’re personally involved in the exchange.

eBay

As a global online marketplace, eBay offers a wide reach to an international audience. It is famous for its auction-style listings, allowing items to attract significant interest and competitive bidding. Alternatively, sellers can opt for a fixed price for a more straightforward sale. eBay primarily benefits those selling collectibles, electronics, and fashion items. However, sellers should factor in listing fees and shipping costs when determining item prices.

Nextdoor.com

You can join a private social networking site like Nextdoor for free if you live in a specific neighborhood and the surrounding communities. Simply sign up using your home address, upload a picture to personalize your profile, and then list and sell your items in the “Classifieds” section. It’s an incredible way to interact and connect with your community members.

Shopify

Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that takes traditional reselling marketplaces a step further. With over 4.36 million websites using Shopify and a 23% market share in the US, it offers several features and tools to help sellers grow their brand. One of its key advantages is the ability to easily integrate with Facebook Business and Instagram stores, opening up new opportunities for sales and brand exposure.

LetGo

LetGo is a convenient platform for selling unwanted items locally. You can quickly and easily advertise your items by downloading the LetGo app on your mobile. The app allows users to chat instantly and privately with potential buyers or sellers to finalize deals, making the selling process efficient and convenient.

Parting Thoughts

Selling everything in your house before a move can help you earn extra cash and save on moving expenses. A clean, staged space is crucial for selling, allowing buyers to envision their future in your home. An experienced real estate agent can provide guidance on what to remove from the house and how to make the space appealing to prospective buyers. Clearing the clutter can also give you a fresh start in your new home.

We hope you found this blog post on Declutter Before You Move: How To Sell Unwanted Items for Extra Cash, useful. Be sure to check out our post on Decluttering Your Home Prior to Moving for more great tips!