Declutter Before a Move by Selling Your Stuff Online!

Yard Sales: Soon to be in the History Books

I hate yard sales! While I enjoy going to them in search of bargains, I hate hosting them. Before moving many people resort to yard sales. While this method of getting rid of junk before moving does work sometimes, it also takes up a lot of time and energy. You have to move everything out to the yard, pray that it doesn't rain, and barter with people all day (if said people come at all). What doesn't sell that day has to be moved back in, and hopefully there are a lot less items then you started with. Sometimes you'll be moving just about everything back in, and wishing that you had your weekend back. 

When the option to sell used items online became viable, I was ecstatic. I've sold old electronics, furniture, books and more. Thanks to selling used items online, I live a more declutter existence- as long as you don't look in the corner my basement. An alternative to the yard sale method is attempting to sell yourself online. Like yard sales, whether or not someone buys your stuff can be variable. By selling your secondhand goods online, they will have more than the time period of a  yard sale to sell. 

If you know you are going to move in a month, weeks or even a year, you can start to declutter before the move early on to increase the likelihood you'll ride yourself of unwanted items. Posting your items online early can help raise the prospects of someone buying them, and let you worry about moving related issues come moving day.    

We are going to go over some of the big name marketplaces that are available to direct you where to sell used items online. Our number one tips that goes with any of these marketplaces is to include a picture with your ad. Not including a picture will make potential buyers either not notice your item in the first place or be skeptical of the item's value. CAUTION: As always NEVER give anyone your banking information. Use a PayPal account if you will be doing business online. 

Different Marketplaces Online: Website to Sell Stuff (In No Particular Order)

1) Ebay 

One of the first popular sites to sell used items, Ebay has a very large customer base. Although Ebay started as just an auctioning site, now you can either sell your items auction style or fixed price. I recommend trying to sell bigger, more valuable items at fixed price. For smaller, less valuable items try selling them at auction. Sometimes just getting the stuff off your hands will be a relief, even if you do not make a profit. 

2) Social Networks (Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus) 

Almost everyone and there grandma seems to be connected to a social networking site, and utilizing it to declutter before moving can be a blessing. You can either opt to give stuff away to friends and family or ask for a small price. Frequently people may need furniture, free books or whatever goodies you may have. It never hurts to ask around. Post a status, tweet or note about the used items you have, and offer them to anyone who will come pick them up. 

3) Freecycle 

Freecycle is a non-profit born from the idea of keeping good items out of landfills. Using this sites means that you will essentially be giving away unwanted items in the name of recycling. While there are not programs available in all areas, there are in many. All you do is have to enter your city and state to see if there is a Freecycling program in your area. You may even acquire some items if you see something appealing. 

4) Craigslist 

Putting an ad on Craigslist can be an effective method of getting rid of stuff. You will have to deal with phone calls, email bartering and someone coming to your house. If you are trying to sell something on Craigslist make sure that you take precautions if you are showing someone the items in your home. Try to pick a time when someone else is home or agree to meet in a public area. 

5) Hire Someone to Sell Your Stuff for You 

There are many small specialized companies sell your stuff on Ebay or Amazon for a small fee. To read more about this option, see this article. This can take the time and stress out of dealing with selling used items online. Moving can be stressful enough without worry about selling old furniture. These companies job is to know how to sell second goods online, so they know the ropes of getting rid of stuff. 

6) If All Else Fails- How You Can Still Declutter Before Moving 

Even if you can't sell all or any of your items online or at a yard sale or even give them away to your friends, there is still hope to declutter before a move. You can hire someone to remove your junk for you. With these companies all you do is show them the stuff you want removed, and they will get rid of it for you. It is nice to have your home finally free of the clutter!