Things You Can Sell For Money Around Your House

Selling items from your home transforms unused possessions into financial resources. This provides an accessible pathway to earning extra money, whether for savings, debt reduction, or personal goals. The process involves identifying valuable items, selecting suitable selling venues, and preparing goods for market.

What Items Have Resale Value?

Many household items have significant resale potential. Electronics, for instance, frequently retain value due to constant demand for technology. Popular gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles, particularly from established brands, often attract buyers, with smartphones in good condition selling for hundreds of dollars and tablets typically ranging from $150 to $600 depending on specifications. Vintage tech also holds appeal for collectors.

Clothing and accessories, especially designer items, vintage pieces, or well-maintained everyday wear, are highly sought after. Luxury brand apparel, handbags, and shoes often command high prices due to their reputation. Thrift store finds, including vintage clothing and unique accessories, can also be profitable.

Home goods and furniture, particularly vintage or mid-century modern pieces, frequently sell well. Items such as chairs, tables, and unique decor can be appealing to those looking to furnish their spaces affordably or undertake DIY projects. Collectibles, encompassing a wide range from coins and stamps to vintage toys and sports memorabilia, can fetch substantial prices due to their rarity and nostalgic appeal. For example, vintage jerseys or limited-edition sports items may sell for hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Books and media, including popular novels, textbooks, and vinyl records, also maintain a market. Textbooks, in particular, can be profitable due to their consistent demand among students. Video games and their accessories also remain strong sellers, with some older, specific game titles or consoles retaining considerable value. The condition of an item, its rarity, and current market trends significantly influence its resale value across all these categories.

Choosing Your Sales Platform

Selecting the appropriate platform is crucial for a successful sale, as different venues cater to various item types and seller preferences. Online marketplaces offer broad reach and convenience. eBay, for example, is a versatile platform allowing for both auction-style and fixed-price listings, suitable for a wide array of items from electronics to collectibles. eBay generally charges final value fees ranging from 10% to 15% of the sale price, with the first 250 listings each month often free before a $0.35 insertion fee applies.

Facebook Marketplace is highly effective for local sales, particularly for larger items like furniture that are difficult to ship, as it connects sellers with buyers in their immediate area, often without direct selling fees. Its integration with the Facebook app makes listing and reaching a large local audience straightforward. Etsy specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique items, appealing to a niche market looking for artisan goods or items at least 20 years old. Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees (6.5% of the sale price), and payment processing fees.

For clothing and fashion accessories, platforms like Poshmark and Depop are popular choices. Poshmark charges a flat fee of $2.95 for sales under $15 and a 20% commission for sales over $15, with buyers typically paying a flat shipping fee. Mercari is another option for various used items, offering a blend of local and national reach. Specialized electronics sites such as Swappa focus specifically on used smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles, providing a dedicated audience for these items. Gazelle and Decluttr also offer streamlined processes for selling used electronics.

Local selling methods provide direct transactions and eliminate shipping concerns. Garage sales and yard sales allow for quick, cash-based sales of multiple items at once. Consignment shops offer a hands-off approach, selling items on your behalf and taking a percentage of the sale price as commission, which can be ideal for clothing, accessories, and home decor. Local classifieds like Craigslist and community-based buy/sell/trade groups on social media platforms also facilitate direct local transactions, often with no fees, but require sellers to manage communication and exchanges directly.

Preparing Items for Listing

Preparing items before listing enhances their appeal and potential selling price. Cleaning and repairing items is fundamental. Presenting goods in their best condition attracts more buyers, including wiping surfaces, dusting, polishing, or performing minor repairs. Thorough cleaning helps items stand out in photographs and descriptions.

High-quality photography is essential for online listings. Taking clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles allows potential buyers to fully assess the item. Using a neutral background helps the item itself remain the focus, and including close-up shots that highlight specific details, textures, or any minor imperfections provides transparency. Multiple images showcasing different aspects of the item build buyer confidence and reduce questions.

Crafting a compelling and accurate description is equally important. This narrative should include essential information such as the item’s brand, model, size, dimensions, and specific condition (e.g., “new with tags,” “gently used,” “minor scuffs”). Disclosing any known defects or wear honestly manages buyer expectations and helps prevent post-sale issues. A detailed description answers common questions upfront, saving time for both buyer and seller.

Researching competitive pricing ensures your item is priced realistically. Check comparable sold items on various platforms to understand current demand and value. Analyzing similar items in similar conditions provides a data-driven basis for setting your asking price, attracting buyers and maximizing returns.

Setting up accounts on chosen selling platforms, including linking payment processing details, is a preparatory task. Having these accounts ready before listing streamlines the selling workflow, ensuring efficient and secure payment receipt once an item sells.

Managing the Sale and Delivery

After an item is listed and purchased, efficient management ensures a smooth transaction. Responding to buyer inquiries promptly and professionally is essential, particularly on platforms where quick communication is expected. Maintaining a courteous and clear tone throughout the interaction helps build trust and can lead to a successful sale.

Accepting secure payment is a key part of the transaction. Most online platforms integrate secure processing, including digital wallets and credit/debit card payments, which typically involve transaction fees. For local pickups, cash payment at exchange is common, ensuring immediate funds transfer.

Securely packaging items prevents damage during transit. Use sturdy boxes appropriate for the item’s size and weight. Fragile items benefit from ample cushioning like bubble wrap or packing peanuts, ensuring they do not shift or touch the box sides. Reinforce all seams with strong packing tape.

The shipping process involves printing labels and choosing a suitable carrier. Sellers can print labels directly from the selling platform or carrier websites (USPS, UPS, FedEx) for discounted rates. USPS is often most economical for smaller, lighter packages, especially with Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes. For heavier or larger items, UPS or FedEx offer competitive services, with pickup or drop-off options.

For local pickup, clear communication with the buyer about meeting location and time is necessary. Platforms often facilitate this exchange. A safe, public meeting spot is advisable for in-person transactions. Following up after the sale can enhance the buyer’s experience and encourage positive feedback, contributing to a strong seller reputation.

Considering Sales Income

Understanding the financial implications of selling personal items from your home, particularly concerning income, is important. For most casual sellers, income from selling personal items for less than their original purchase price is generally not considered taxable by federal authorities. These sales typically represent a recovery of cost, not a profit.

However, if personal property sells for more than its original purchase price, the gain is typically taxable income. This applies to appreciated items like collectibles or antiques. If selling becomes frequent, regular, or for profit, it might be viewed as a business activity, subjecting all gross receipts to income tax.

Maintaining simple records is prudent for any selling activity. Records should include the date of sale, selling price, associated expenses (platform fees, shipping, advertising), and the original purchase price. This documentation is crucial for determining gain and substantiating income or deductions if questions arise.

For those engaging in more substantial selling, such as buying items to resell for profit, the activity shifts from casual sales to a business. In such cases, all income is typically taxable, and sellers report gross receipts and deduct allowable business expenses. While specific tax forms are usually not necessary for infrequent sales of personal items at a loss, awareness of these principles helps ensure tax compliance.