by Hope
As I’ve gone room by room clearing things out, making lists of things that need to be done, and packing things up, I’ve been listing anything and everything on Facebook Marketplace that I don’t plan to store or keep with me. As empty as the house already was with the kids all taking furniture and things with them, I still have alot of “stuff.”
In the past, I just packed it up and donated it. And I’m still doing alot of that. But wow, selling things on Facebook is alot easier than expected.
Take a few pictures, shoot a 1 minute or less video, write a description, and name your price and voila, making money!
Here are some of the things I’ve recently listed:
To date I have made just over $1,000 and have 10 active listings still.
Tips for Listing on Facebook
I am by no means an expert at listing things on Facebook Marketplace. But here are 5 tips I have learned in the last couple of weeks.
1. Describe the item in detail. Include measurements, condition, damages (show in pics too). I sold two rugs within minutes of listing them, the buyer indicated that seeing that they were “washable” and the measurements made it an easy purchase for her. This will save you a lot of back and forth.
2. Set a price that you are willing to negotiate. I think people see haggling as part of the fun. It’s definitely garage sale pricing, but give yourself some buffer when you list the price. And be willing to walk away if someone low balls you. (I had someone offer me $20 for the desk when they were here picking up the couch. I held out and ended up getting $60.)
3. You don’t have to have it in pristine condition. But be honest. Does it need a good cleaning? Come from a home with lots of dog hair? Been outside for years? You never know what someone is looking for.
4. Check out the buyer profile. I’ve gotten lots and lots of offers from “spam” accounts. It’s taken me a minute to catch on, but I’ve learned to ignore them. And if I am not certain, I just respond with CASH only and the spam accounts tend to remove themselves. Not sure what they are trying to get out of it.
5. Decide if you will hold an item. I have chosen to go with first reasonable offer + first come. People would say I want it, I’m coming or let’s meet, then disappear. Now I say, you message when you are ready to meet and purchase and if it’s still available, it’s yours. I don’t provide address or meet location/time until they have cash in hand and are ready to meet. The no shows are prolific. And this has definitely saved me a bunch of wasted time.
Keep on Selling
I’m down to just a few more inside items now. And just started on outside stuff yesterday. Going room to room has kept it from being an overwhelming project. I’ve got a checklist with due dates for every part of my house.
It helps me keep organized. And keeps the task of purging from being overwhelming.
I’ve not decided what I’ll do with some of the items if they don’t sell. Will I donate? Just take them to the street for someone to pick up? Or hold onto them?
I anticipate all that will be left in the house by the beginning of this next week are the things that will be going into my car when I really leave.
Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.
But life has a way of rewriting your plans.
A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.
Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.
Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.
She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.
So, what do you think ?