One of the smartest financial moves you can make before a long-distance relocation is selling belongings you don't need. Not only does this put cash in your pocket for moving expenses, but it also reduces the volume (and cost) of what you're shipping across the country.
This guide will show you how to strategically sell your stuff, where to sell for maximum profit, and how to do it efficiently without adding stress to an already hectic moving process.
Why Sell Before Moving?
- Reduce moving costs: Shipping costs are based on weight and volume—less stuff = less money
- Generate moving funds: Use profits to cover moving expenses
- Fresh start: Don't bring clutter into your new life
- Avoid storage costs: Cheaper to sell and rebuy than pay for storage
- Easier to downsize: Many people move to smaller apartments in expensive cities
What to Sell vs. Keep vs. Donate
Definitely Sell
- Bulky furniture (especially cheap IKEA pieces)
- Large appliances (unless new home doesn't include them)
- Exercise equipment
- Electronics you've upgraded from
- Textbooks and books you won't reread
- Collectibles and hobby equipment you don't use
- Extra kitchenware and duplicate items
Worth Keeping/Shipping
- High-quality furniture that's expensive to replace
- Sentimental items
- Electronics you actively use
- Professional wardrobe
- Important documents and photos
- Specialty items hard to find/replace
Donate or Toss
- Worn-out clothing
- Old mattresses (rarely sell)
- Damaged or broken items
- Expired pantry items
- Low-value items not worth effort to sell
Best Platforms for Selling Your Stuff
Facebook Marketplace
Best for: Furniture, appliances, local pickup items
Pros:
- Huge local audience
- No listing fees
- Easy communication through Messenger
- Can see buyer profiles for safety
Cons:
- Lots of flaky buyers and lowball offers
- No shipping option (local only)
- Must coordinate meetups
Tips for success:
- Take high-quality photos in good lighting
- Write detailed descriptions with measurements
- Price competitively (check completed listings)
- Respond quickly to inquiries
- Use "pending" status to reduce repeat messages
- Meet in public places or require porch pickup
Craigslist
Best for: Large furniture, vehicles, free items
Pros:
- Still popular in many cities
- Anonymous (use CL email relay)
- Good for high-value items
Cons:
- More scammers than Facebook
- Can't vet buyers as easily
- Interface is dated
OfferUp / Letgo
Best for: General household items, electronics
Pros:
- User ratings build trust
- Shipping available for smaller items
- Mobile-first experience
Cons:
- Smaller audience than Facebook in some areas
- Fees for shipping option (12.9% + $1.99)
Poshmark
Best for: Clothing, shoes, accessories
Pros:
- Dedicated fashion audience
- Shipping labels provided
- Buyer pays shipping
- Authentication for luxury items
Cons:
- 20% commission fee
- Lots of competition
- You ship items (takes time)
Mercari
Best for: Electronics, collectibles, general items
Pros:
- Lower fees than Poshmark (10%)
- Easy shipping
- Wide variety of items accepted
Cons:
- You pay for shipping or can offer free shipping
- Must ship items
ThredUp / Buffalo Exchange
Best for: Quick clothing purge
How it works: Send bag of clothes, they sell and pay you a percentage
Pros:
- Zero effort (just mail it)
- They handle everything
Cons:
- Very low payout (10-20% of resale value)
- They reject many items
- Only worth it for convenience over profit
Specialty Sites
- Decluttr: Electronics, phones, tablets (instant quote, ship for free)
- Gazelle: iPhones, iPads, MacBooks
- BookScouter: Compare buyback prices for textbooks
- eBay: Collectibles, vintage items, niche products
- Reverb: Musical instruments and gear
- Facebook Groups: Buy/sell groups for specific items (moms groups, gaming, etc.)
Pricing Strategy
Research Comparable Items
- Search your item on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp
- Filter by "sold" listings if available
- Price similarly to listings that actually sold (not just asking prices)
General Pricing Guidelines
- IKEA furniture: 30-50% of original price
- Quality furniture: 50-70% if in great condition
- Electronics: 40-60% depending on age and condition
- Clothing: 10-30% of retail price
- Books: $1-5 unless rare/collectible
- Appliances: 40-60% if working perfectly
Price to Sell
- List slightly above your minimum to allow negotiation room
- Be willing to drop price after 1-2 weeks without interest
- Remember: Getting SOME money is better than moving costs or trash
- As moving day approaches, drop prices aggressively
Timeline for Selling
6-8 Weeks Before Move
- Take inventory of what you're selling
- Research prices
- Start listing big-ticket items (furniture, appliances)
- List specialized items on niche platforms
4-6 Weeks Before
- List electronics and mid-value items
- Host garage sale if you have many small items
- Send clothes to ThredUp or list on Poshmark
2-4 Weeks Before
- Reduce prices on items not selling
- List remaining items
- Coordinate pickups before you leave
Final Week
- Slash prices ("must go by [date]")
- Donate unsold items
- Post free items in "free" section
Photography Tips for Better Sales
- Natural light: Photograph near window during daytime
- Clean backgrounds: Neutral wall or floor, no clutter
- Multiple angles: Show item from different perspectives
- Show scale: Include measurements or common objects for size reference
- Highlight flaws: Photograph any damage to avoid disputes
- Stage it: Make furniture look inviting (add pillow, plant, etc.)
- Clean first: Wipe down items before photographing
Writing Effective Listings
Include These Details
- Dimensions (especially for furniture)
- Condition (be honest)
- Brand and model
- Age or purchase date
- Original price if relevant
- Reason for selling ("moving")
- Pickup details or delivery options
- Whether price is firm or negotiable
Example Good Listing
"IKEA Hemnes Dresser - Excellent Condition - Must sell by 11/15 (moving)
6-drawer dresser in white-stained finish. Dimensions: 42"W x 19"D x 51"H. Purchased 2 years ago for $279, selling for $120. In excellent condition with only minor scuffs on bottom (see photos). All drawers slide smoothly. Smoke-free, pet-free home. Located in [neighborhood]. Buyer must pickup and have vehicle to transport. Cash only."
Safety Tips for In-Person Sales
- Meet in public: Police station parking lots are ideal
- Daytime only: Avoid evening/night transactions
- Bring a friend: Especially for high-value items
- Cash only: No checks, Venmo, or payment apps for in-person (easily scammed)
- Trust your gut: If something feels off, cancel
- Don't give out address until confirmed buyer: Use general neighborhood
- Porch pickup: Leave items outside, collect payment via app
Garage Sale vs. Online Selling
Garage Sale Pros:
- Sell everything in one day
- Less individual coordination
- Good for lots of small items
Garage Sale Cons:
- Requires significant prep work
- Lowball offers expected
- Weather dependent
- Need to be available all day
- Lower prices than online
Hybrid approach: Sell high-value items online first, then hold garage sale for remainder
Tax Implications
Generally, selling personal belongings at a loss (for less than you paid) is not taxable income. However:
- If you sell collectibles or investments for profit, may be taxable
- Keep records of donations for tax deductions
- Business inventory sales are different (consult tax professional)
What to Do With Unsold Items
Donation Options
- Goodwill / Salvation Army: General donations, will pick up large items
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Furniture, appliances, building materials
- Buy Nothing Groups: Facebook groups for free local giving
- Homeless shelters: Clothing, toiletries, household items
- Women's shelters: Furniture, household goods for those starting over
- Libraries: Books
- Schools: School supplies, children's items
Get tax receipt: Donations to qualified charities are tax-deductible
Free Section
Post remaining items in Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist free sections. You'd be surprised what people will take:
- Partial paint cans
- Building materials
- Old furniture
- Moving boxes
Expected Earnings
Realistic expectations for selling a 1-bedroom apartment's worth of stuff:
- Furniture (couch, bed frame, desk, dresser): $400-$800
- Kitchen items (small appliances, dishes): $50-$150
- Electronics (TV, old laptop, speakers): $200-$500
- Clothing and accessories: $50-$200
- Books and misc: $50-$100
- Total potential: $750-$1,750
This can cover a significant portion of your moving costs!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting too late: Begin 6-8 weeks out, not 1 week before moving
- Overpricing: Sentimental value ≠ market value
- Bad photos: Dark, blurry pictures = no sales
- No-shows: Confirm with buyers before they come
- Holding out: Drop prices as moving day approaches rather than taking items with you
- Not being available: Respond quickly or buyers move on
- Ignoring shipping: Some items sell better nationally than locally
Final Thoughts
Selling your belongings before a big move takes effort, but it's worth it. You'll reduce moving costs, generate cash for your relocation, and start fresh in your new home without unnecessary clutter.
Start early, price realistically, and be prepared to reduce prices as your move date approaches. Remember: the goal isn't to make a fortune, it's to offset moving costs and avoid paying to ship things you don't really need.
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