Turn Clutter Into Summer Cash: A Room-by-Room Guide
Summer is a good time of year to make some extra cash by selling unused household items. Warmer weather often brings garage sales. Plus, the demand for secondhand goods has been going up, with PR Newswire reporting that 93% of Americans have purchased at least one preowned item in the past year.
Whether you’re saving for a vacation or want to pay down debt, decluttering your house room by room can help you find items you no longer need that can turn into quick cash. The secret is knowing what buyers want, where to sell and how to price the items competitively. Some items are better for local markets, while others go fast online.
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Here are the best places around your house to turn clutter into money this summer.
Living Room: Electronics and Furniture
The living room usually has some of the most valuable resale items buyers are always looking for. Think televisions, gaming consoles, streaming devices, Bluetooth speakers and smartphones. Smaller furniture such as coffee tables, side tables, consoles and bookshelves also tend to sell well.
For larger items, sell them locally on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to save on shipping. Electronics usually do well on eBay. Don’t price items without checking recently completed listings to see what they sold for.
Kitchen: Appliances and Gadgets
You probably have small appliances and gadgets that you rarely use. Air fryers, stand mixers, espresso machines, juicers, bread makers and specialty cooking gadgets are some of the items secondhand buyers want. If you want your items to move fast, bundle similar items to attract buyers looking for good deals.
Consider platforms like eBay and Mercari for smaller appliances you can easily ship. Ensure that you post clear photos and note any wear. You can price items in good shape at 25% to 40% of original retail value, while anything in the box can go closer to 50% to 60%.
Bedroom: Clothing and Accessories
You probably have closets full of stuff that doesn’t fit you anymore or isn’t your style. Brand name clothing, handbags, shoes, watches and jewelry often sell well online.
The key is listing your item on the right platform. Poshmark and Depop are perfect for trendy or brand-name clothing. ThredUp is ideal if you want to skip the listing process entirely (they handle it for you but take a cut). The RealReal is specifically for designer pieces.
Clean the item before taking photos and write detailed descriptions with keywords that buyers search. Also include correct sizing to avoid back-and-forth with potential buyers.
Kids' Rooms: Toys, Gear and Clothes
This is where many households have the most clutter. Strollers, bouncers, play mats, bikes and clothes kids have outgrown sell quickly, especially in spring and early summer when families are preparing for the next season.
List big-ticket gear on Facebook Marketplace, while big stuff like strollers and cribs should always be local. Consider bundling small toys and clothes to sell them fast.
Garage and Storage: Tools, Sports Gear and Seasonal Items
Garages and basements usually have forgotten items that can be really valuable. If you have power tools, sporting goods, bicycles, camping gear, lawn equipment or holiday decorations collecting dust, you’re sitting on cash.
And since summer is a time when outdoor activity is heating up, they’ll sell quickly. Many of these are bulky items, so it makes more sense to sell locally than to ship.
Home Office: Tech and Office Equipment
If you have a home office that’s no longer operational, monitors, printers, office chairs, desks, webcams and computer accessories can all generate extra cash this summer.
Tech items often sell best online, so make sure you include model numbers, specifications and photos showing the item powered on when possible. For heavier furniture, local pickup is typically the easiest option.
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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