How to Sell Your Unwanted Items Before a House Move

How to Sell Your Unwanted Items Before a House Move

Moving house has a funny way of revealing just how much stuff you own. That box in the garage you haven't opened in five years? Time to open it. The spare chairs you've been keeping "just in case"? You probably don't need them. And that exercise bike that became a very expensive clothes hanger? Someone else might actually use it.

Moving is one of the best times to declutter. Instead of packing up everything you own and paying to transport items you no longer want, sort through your belongings before the move and sell items that still have value.

Why Moving House Is a Great Time to Declutter

It's easy to accumulate things when you've lived somewhere for any length of time. You buy things for a project. The kids outgrow them. Your tastes change. A newer version replaces an older one. Yet somehow, none of those things ever quite makes it out of the house. Then the moving day arrives!

Suddenly, every unnecessary item has a cost. It needs to be sorted, packed, carried, transported, and unpacked at the other end. That's a good reason to make some decisions before the removalists arrive.

Rather than asking, "Can I fit this in the new house?", ask, "Do I actually want this in the new house?" If the answer is no, perhaps it’s time to sell it.

What Is Worth Selling?

Not everything you no longer want is necessarily worth listing, but you'd be surprised by what other people may be willing to buy.

Furniture

Sofas, dining tables, chairs, bookshelves, cabinets, desks and outdoor furniture can take up considerable space during a move. If a piece is still in good, usable condition but doesn't suit your new home, selling it could make more sense than moving it.

Appliances

Fridges, microwaves, coffee machines, washing machines and other household appliances may still have plenty of life left. Be honest about their condition in the listing and include relevant specifications so buyers know what they're considering.

Tools and Equipment

Power tools, hand tools, gardening equipment, camping gear and workshop equipment can be particularly easy to accumulate. If you haven't used something for years, ask yourself whether you're really going to use it at the new house, because someone else might be waiting for exactly that tool.

Electronics and Outdoor Equipment

Old gaming consoles, speakers, monitors, cameras, tablets and other electronics may still have value, particularly if they're in good working condition or appeal to collectors and enthusiasts.

Don't forget the backyard, either. BBQ equipment, outdoor furniture, gardening tools, sporting equipment and bikes could all be worth selling, especially if your new property has less outdoor space.

How Do You Decide What Is Worth Listing?

A simple test is to consider three factors: condition, demand and effort. If something is in good condition and likely to be useful to someone else, it may be worth listing. Consider whether it is a recognisable brand, expensive to buy new, difficult to find, or likely to attract second-hand buyers.

Then consider the effort involved in selling it. There’s little point spending hours listing an item worth a few dollars. A quality piece of furniture, power tool or electronic device, however, could be well worth the effort. And remember, you don't have to sell everything. Some items are better donated, recycled or responsibly disposed of. The goal isn't to turn your entire house into an auction catalogue. It's to make sensible decisions about what deserves to make the move.

Give Yourself Enough Time

One of the biggest mistakes people make when selling before a move is leaving everything until the last week. That's when boxes are everywhere, the removal date is approaching, and your attention is needed elsewhere.

Start early. Work through your home room by room, identifying items you no longer need. The earlier you list them, the more time there is for auctions to run and for buyers to arrange payment, collection or delivery. Working backwards from your moving date allows enough time for auctions to finish and for transactions to be completed before the removalists arrive.

The aim is to have less to move, not a collection of unsold items still sitting around on moving day.

Should You Group Items or List Them Separately?

It depends on what you're selling. Smaller, similar items can sometimes work well as a group. A collection of gardening tools or related hobby equipment may appeal to someone looking for several items at once. Larger or more valuable items are often better suited to individual listings, particularly when buyers may have different needs or budgets.

Think about the person most likely to buy the item. Would they want the whole group, or are they looking for a specific piece?

Prepare Larger Items for PICK IT UP

Large furniture and equipment can be awkward to move, so plan collection arrangements before the auction finishes.

If PICK IT UP applies to your listing, think about how a buyer will access the item. Clear a path, make sure doors and gates can be opened and, if appropriate, consider whether an item can be safely disassembled. Be upfront about stairs, narrow hallways or other access issues. Buyers need to know what they're dealing with before they bid.

Turn Unwanted Belongings Into Moving Money

Moving house isn't cheap. There are removal costs, cleaning, storage, new furniture, utility connections and plenty of other expenses along the way. Selling things you no longer need won't necessarily pay for the whole move, but it can help.

More importantly, you're not simply getting rid of things. You're giving useful items another chance to be used while creating extra space at home. That can be a win for you and a win for the buyer.

Start Decluttering Before You Start Packing

Moving house gives you a natural deadline, but you don't have to wait until moving day is near. Take a fresh look around your home. Open the cupboards, check the garage, and notice the furniture you haven't used in months. Consider what you really want in your next home.

For items that still have value, SELL IT BUY IT offers a way to auction them and connect with interested buyers. List unwanted items and give others the chance to discover them. You could even turn clutter into extra cash to help cover moving costs. The less you have to move, the easier moving day can be.

Moving soon? Start sorting today and turn the things you no longer need into someone else's next great find with SELL IT BUY IT.