Even if you're only just beginning to think about selling your home, it's never too early to get a head start on decluttering. Minimizing the amount of stuff taking up space in your house will be important in order to make your house look its best, possibly prepare it for staging by a professional, and of course reduce the volume that you must box up and move to your next abode.
How long this process will take may depend on your relationship to material objects as well as on how badly you need the money that could be earned by selling off items one by one. The sad truth of the matter is that our beloved possessions, once used, often look like junk to others.
Although online sales have become the first possibility that occurs to many people, there's no need to jump online right away. Local consignment, used book, clothing, and vintage or antique stores can be the most lucrative places to sell your possessions, because they draw in an interested audience who might spot your item, like it, and make an impulse purchase. Or if you are downsizing, talk to an estate sale specialist.
Your next stops might be your local Craigslist (which lets you sell items one by one) and eBay (where you will need to register as a "seller").
For specialized items, you might want to check out these online possibilities:
A garage sale should be the last thing you try. It can be reasonably profitable if your house is well-located, but can also be a huge waste of time; and you'll already have plenty to do with selling your home and moving into a new one. If you itemize your tax deductions, don't forget that goods donated to a charitable organization can go on the list. For this, you will need to calculate their "fair market value" at the time of the donation.
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