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Springtime is the season for renewal, a time when the earth wakes up from its winter slumber and celebrates new life. As the sun stays longer and the weather grows warmer, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home and get a head start on spring cleaning.
Whether you’re downsizing and tackling a major decluttering project or looking for simple ways to create a welcoming living space, spring cleaning actually offers more than just making your home feel clean and brand new.
Spring cleaning is great for your emotional well-being as you reevaluate what items in your home really spark joy and bring value. Moreover, it can be great for your wallet if you decide to sell your old furniture, home decor, clothes, or anything else in your home that’s rarely used.
In this blog, we’ll share a full guide with tips and tricks on how you can turn spring cleaning into your new side hustle and earn money from selling your pre-loved home items.
What Should I Sell?
The first step to selling your old stuff is to thoroughly clean and declutter your home. If you’re unsure about the best ways to downsize your living space or where to start on your spring cleaning, check out our simple guide on “How To Downsize Your Home.”
As for choosing what to sell, take note that items that sell well can vary by location. In general though, smaller furniture in good condition like a nightstand or end table sells well.
Electronics in good condition (as long as they have all the required cables) and popular video games can also sell well. Another category are home repair tools that everyone needs, such as a drill set.
On the other hand, clothing can sometimes be tough to sell. If you want to sell clothes online, one creative solution is to make it a “bundle” so someone can purchase a whole bag of medium clothes or a whole box of various size 8 shoes. They have to take the whole bundle, but they get a big discount – allowing you to sell a bulk of unwanted clothing and for the other person to buy at a bargain.
Where Do I Sell?
Once you’ve conquered your spring cleaning checklist and decided on what you want to give away, it’s time to decide where you will be selling your stuff.
Nowadays, there are various websites and smartphone apps that allow you to easily reach hundreds of people who are interested in purchasing your pre-loved home items.
We recommend trying out these popular resources:
Sign-up processes only take a few minutes and once you’ve created an account, you can start uploading photos, descriptions, and desired selling prices for each item.
These platforms will even automatically recommend your product listings to people who are more likely to be interested in buying your item. You may also have the option to ship your items to the buyer or only sell locally if you’re letting go of larger items like furniture.
Now that we’ve established what you will sell and where you will sell, let’s take a look at the best practices and tips that can help you successfully complete your first sale.
Visually Appealing Pictures Are Key
Taking great pictures is essential for attracting potential buyers and making your items look their best as people scroll through a myriad of product listings.
It’s important to focus on the details so make sure your pictures are clear and taken in natural light – that way buyers can easily see the item's features and current condition. Well-lit lifestyle shots also offer buyers inspiration of what the item could look like in their home and increase the odds of them making the purchase.
Take a look at these pictures showing home gym equipment. The first picture is an example of what you should not do while the second one is an example of a better picture:
If there are any flaws or imperfections, make sure to include pictures that clearly show them so you can build trust with potential buyers and prevent any misunderstandings down the line.
For furniture or larger items, try taking pictures from different angles so buyers can get a better sense of the item's size and shape.
The background is also an important factor to consider. A cluttered or messy background can distract buyers from the item you're trying to sell, so make sure to choose a clean and neutral backdrop. A plain white background or neutral-colored wall is a great option, but you can also use a white sheet or blanket as a DIY backdrop.
Now grab your phone camera and start snapping those pictures – your clutter-free home is just a few clicks away.
Well-Written Descriptions Matter
Pictures will be the instant pull, but your item descriptions are important too.
Be sure to include the item's brand, model, size, condition, and/or any relevant features or specifications so potential buyers can make an informed decision about whether the item is right for them.
Also be honest about any known defects or imperfections, such as scratches, dents, or stains. This will also save your time and the buyer's time in relation to a potential sale.
Another tip to consider is the written tone of your product description. Avoid using overly salesy language and focus on providing helpful information with descriptive, everyday language to help potential buyers envision how they might use the item in their own lives.
Price Items Reasonably and Be Open to Negotiating
When determining the price of your items, evaluate their condition, age, and original cost. Researching similar items that have recently been sold on similar reselling platforms can also be helpful in determining a fair market price.
Once you've set a price, it's important to be open to negotiation. Some buyers may be willing to pay the asking price while others may want to haggle to get a better price.
To avoid misunderstandings or time wasted on both your’s and your buyer's part, explain in the description if you are firm on the price or if you are willing to negotiate the price.
If a buyer makes an offer that is lower than your asking price, assess whether it's reasonable but remember that the goal is to sell your item and declutter your home. Therefore, it's often better to be flexible than to hold out for an unrealistic price.
You could even try to sell related items in a bundle deal as this can be an effective way to sell multiple items at once and declutter your home even faster. For instance, offer a discount to someone if they buy an entire set of homeware dishes or a collection of books.
Navigate Frustrating Situations Safely
Most potential buyers are honest people who genuinely just want to buy your pre-loved items. Although it rarely happens, there are some people who may try to scam or avoid paying you for your stuff.
Be wary of buyers who seem too good to be true, such as those who offer to pay much more than the asking price or those who ask for personal information. Scammers often use tactics such as fake payment methods or phishing emails, so you should always use a secure payment method and never share personal information with buyers.
If you’re planning to meet someone in person in your local area, ask to meet in a populated place like a store parking lot with video cameras in order to avoid having them come to your front door.
And if someone asks you to hold an item, you should only do so if they are willing to pay for the item upfront through secure payment services like PayPal or Venmo.
Donate If Your Items Don’t Sell
If all else fails and you can’t seem to sell an item despite your best efforts and intentions, it might be time to donate it.
There may be a lot of local homes, missions, and charities right in your neighborhood that get overlooked because people usually donate to larger organizations, so consider starting there first.
You could even try listing the items for "free" on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. You would be surprised at what people are willing to take if it is free – everything from a sectional sofa to a dryer machine.
Here are some more platforms where you can list your unwanted items as free:
Happy Spring Cleaning!
Selling unwanted home items online during your spring cleaning can be a rewarding and profitable experience.
By taking great pictures, writing detailed product descriptions, pricing items reasonably, and being open to negotiation, you can increase your chances of a successful sale and make the most of your decluttering efforts.
With these tips in mind, you can get started on turning your spring cleaning into your next side gig. In the meantime, check out our Arden Living Lifestyle Blogs here to read more about downsizing your home and simple ways to refresh your living space.