Getting ready to sell house - Goodwill or Yard Sale?

[aprilfoolwed]

We are planning on listing our home for sale within the next month. We have some minor repairs/touch-ups to do on our home within that time, and while we do that, we'll be purging a lot of stuff.

I already have 4 large bags heading to Goodwill, and about 10 Rubbermaid tubs filled with stuff for a yard sale. But I am starting to wonder if I should just donate everything and be done with it?

Do you think having less "stuff" and more organization in the storage room (and the rest of the house) is worth more than what we'd make at a yard sale? We typically make a few hundrerd at our sales, but that's when it's nice outside. We're in PA, and just heading into what is typically the snowiest part of the year. LOL

So nervous about all of this! We've been in our current home for 8 years, and just need something a little bigger (more bedrooms). I am scared of the whole process, and really worried about keeping our house clean enough to show (with 3 kids it will be hard).

Anyone have great home sale and moving tips?

 

[englishteacha]

I'd just take it all to Goodwill. A yard sale is a lot of work even in good weather. You could list stuff on Craigslist, I suppose, but even then people expect pictures, and you'll get 100 emails "just asking" about stuff. So again, I'd just donate it all (but keep the tubs...then you can use them when you move!).

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I would just donate. You can take the tax deduction for giving to GW.
Here's a guide for fair value to claim: http://www.goodwillnne.org/donate/donation-guide/

I'm sure you have plenty to do getting ready to move and it'd be one less thing to worry about, too.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

You could always advertise for a part time temporary housekeeper to come 2 or 3 times a week to help you keep the house in order.

If you can afford it.

You could advertise for someone to come 3 or 4 hours, 2 or 3 days a week. You can pay as little as $12 or $14 an hour for an individual (not a cleaning company)

Or you can pay by the week. Say 4 hours, 3 days a week (12 hours) times $12 an hour ($144)

That's really a bargain for what you would be getting if you can afford it.

 

[hsmamato2]

just donate the stuff....sounds like you won't miss it,and you've got enough to worry about anyway.....

 

[North of Mouse]

I guess I will be the one to say different - but to me I would definitely have the yard sale, then take the remainder to Goodwill. That is what I have done in the past. Sounds like you have mostly done the hard work by having things separated already. I am also in the process of getting ready for a yard sale for the first of March. The extra $250 - $300 that I will make will sure be more than a tax write-off, and will go far on our trip in April to the F&G show in WDW. It has always been worth my while to have one every few years. I planned one a few years ago here and had the coldest day(11 degrees - which is cold for this area) of the year that Sat. We had people tooting the horn at 6am and they cleaned out a large portion of my household stuff I never put a time to open because around here a lot of people will come whenever anyway - fine with me to just get it over with Anyway, good luck with your move and whatever you decide

 

[pumpkinmomma]

We donated stuff- I just didn't have the time or energy to deal with a yard sale. I had the salvation army come pick up stuff rather than haul it to goodwill myself.

It is definitely worth it to declutter and stage your house when you are trying to sell. Plus, the more you declutter, the easier it is to keep clean. Get in the habit of putting things away as soon as you are done using them. Make the kids do it, too. I am not normally a big fan wipe clorox wipes but they are very handy for a quick wipedown when you are getting ready for a showing. Dust often. Take shoes off inside the house if you don't already have a no shoe rule. Make the bed each morning.

Ask your realtor to put a note on your listing requesting 2 hrs notice for showings since you have small kids. It wont guarantee that you don't get last minute calls, but it will help.

 

[pyrxtc]

I am cleaning up my house for sale too and just decided that everything would be given away since it would get out of my house much faster that way. It's been going great and i also rented a storage unit for things that I'm keeping but needed put away to show. My house looks so much nicer !

 

[mom2maggie]

Unless you ABSOLUTELY need the additional money, I would donate the items and be done with it.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

I am cleaning up my house for sale too and just decided that everything would be given away since it would get out of my house much faster that way. It's been going great and i also rented a storage unit for things that I'm keeping but needed put away to show. My house looks so much nicer !

We rented a storage unit, too. Definitely recommend it if you have stuff you want to keep.

 

[treehugnmama]

Wow I have been in my house 10 years listing tomorrowing and sk worried about showings. We had a storage bin delivered. I wonder if I need to have it hauled away or if it is ok to leave I. The driveway

I would not bother with garage sale but that is me. I sold a couple things on kijiji last week but donated 5 bags of toys. Good luck

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Thanks for the input! I think we'll donate most of the stuff. I do have a few things that I would like to sell (like Thomas the Tank playsets) that I can put on Craigslist.

But it probably is easier to just donate the rest and take the deduction. I would love to have the money, but I feel overwhelmed already with having to clean, pack and work!

If I clear out all the stuff we know we don't want, then I will have much more room to organize and store the stuff we do want.

THe last time we moved, we only had 2 very little kids (so they didn't have nearly as much STUFF) and we were only in the house for 4 years. We've been here 8 years and have 3 kids now. So much stuff!

The main areas of the house are in great shape, but the kids' bedrooms and the basement playroom are just filled with toys. Time to do some sorting!

 

[pumpkinmomma]

I would have the storage bin hauled away. Curb appeal is so important, you want the buyer to be able to see the house, not the storage bin.

Being that it is such a buyers market, do everything you can to make it appealing. We just sold a house this summer. We listed in may, didn't sell until August. Tough market for sellers.

 

[mjhd]

Have you considered consignment? Kids stuff does especially well. At my store, you just drop it off in clean, sellable condition and watch your balance grow. We even donate your unsold items and get you a donation receipt. You should check your local stores.