Whether you are organizing one room in your house or decluttering a home full of stuff, knowing how to efficiently sort is crucial to your success. Professional Organizers use the tips and tricks on this checklist to help clients, and now I'm sharing those hacks with you.
Ready to learn a professional organizer's tips for Sorting? Read on...Set yourself up for success
Before starting any organizing or decluttering job, make sure you have all the supplies you need before you get started.
Tools/ Supplies Needed:
Keep
The first step is to sort your "keepers" into a pile or one area. Keep items that you love and actively use. Items that aren't actively used should be moved into a long term storage area, such as a basement or attic.
Tools/ Supplies Needed:
*available space in actively used items *temperature variation in for long term solutions *transporting “keepers” to new location, if applicable 
Sell
Don't love it, but you'd like to make a little money from it? Consider selling online or offline.
Tools/Supplies Needed:
Related Articles
6 Things to Not Bother Collecting Anymore Nobody Wants Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You. Gift These 5 Wonderful Experiences To the Ones You Love..Instead of Buying "Stuff" Donate
Have items that don't need to live with you anymore, but are still in great condition? Give to a local charity.
Tools Needed:
Discard
Some things just need to be discarded. If the items can't be sold or donated, its time for the trash/ recycling bin.
Tools Needed:
Related Articles
Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs 4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One with free printable How to Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet 5 Tips to Sell Your Stuff Online with free printable How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet YOU'RE ready to sort like a pro!
Using this checklist, you now have the tools to Keep, Sell, Donate or Discard when you are decluttering and organizing.
Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area. 
0 Comments
Sometimes you can't do it on your own:WHEN IT’S TIME TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AND HIRE AN ESTATE CLEARING PROFESSIONAL TO HELP YOU FINISH THE JOB.
There are 2 times when families are faced with trying to figure out how to clear out an entire homes’ worth of possessions, usually within a fairly quick time frame.
If the Executor / Power of Attorney lives near the home in question, they can easily rally other family members to help with the massive project on nights, weekends, and holidays. This works for families who have the time, willingness, and physical strength to get the job done.
But sometimes that doesn’t work. Sometimes, you can’t do it on your own. That’s when you need to consider an Estate Clearing Professional to finish the job for you. 
Estate Clearing Professionals can step in at any stage and take care of all the details for you.
An experienced Estate Clearing Professional will
Learn more about estate clearing here.
|
|
Just for our readers, we’ve created this nifty How to Sell Your Items Online Cheat Sheet. Download and enjoy!
|
Step One: Google “How to Sell xxx Online”
The first and easiest way to figure out how to sell your stuff online is to simply Google it.
You want to list your item on the site that has the biggest audience of potential buyers. For instance, if you were selling a set of golf clubs online, Ebay may be the best bet. But if you were selling custom hand-embroidered tea towels, Etsy is where you want to be. Selling antiques and collectibles often is easier on sites dedicated to those items.
You want to list your item on the site that has the biggest audience of potential buyers. For instance, if you were selling a set of golf clubs online, Ebay may be the best bet. But if you were selling custom hand-embroidered tea towels, Etsy is where you want to be. Selling antiques and collectibles often is easier on sites dedicated to those items.
The Big Guys: Ebay and Amazon
It will come as no surprise that selling your stuff online on Ebay and Amazon are popular methods.
Both platforms have incredibly large audiences, thereby increasing your chances of selling your item quickly. There are fees associated with using both services, so be sure you are aware of what you are agreeing to before listing your items.
Both platforms have incredibly large audiences, thereby increasing your chances of selling your item quickly. There are fees associated with using both services, so be sure you are aware of what you are agreeing to before listing your items.
Related Articles:
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms
With Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One
With How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet
Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms
With Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
4 Smart Ideas to Sell Your Stuff Offline and 1 Really Dumb One
With How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet
Sometimes You Can’t Do it on Your Own: When it’s Time to Throw in the Towel and Hire an Estate Clearing Professional to Help you Finish the Job.
Lesser Known: Ebid, Bonanza, Etsy, Collectors.com
As mentioned above, Etsy is a great site for selling handmade and craft items online. If you have beads, buttons, fabrics, and vintage items to sell, be sure to give Etsy a look.
Ebid is a site that is similar to Ebay, but doesn’t have the same amount of traffic. If you’re selling on Ebid, you’ll want to market your items elsewhere, too. On the plus side, however, EBid has lower fees than the big guys.
Bonanza is a great option for selling more unique and quirky items. Bonanza has a large audience, has no listing fee, and a low commission percentage compared to Ebay.
Collectors.com is a great option to sell your collectibles online.
Ebid is a site that is similar to Ebay, but doesn’t have the same amount of traffic. If you’re selling on Ebid, you’ll want to market your items elsewhere, too. On the plus side, however, EBid has lower fees than the big guys.
Bonanza is a great option for selling more unique and quirky items. Bonanza has a large audience, has no listing fee, and a low commission percentage compared to Ebay.
Collectors.com is a great option to sell your collectibles online.
Local Options: Craigslist or Facebook Groups
The best thing about selling your stuff online locally is that you pay zero fees for listing and selling.
If you live in an area that has an active Craigslist community, try listing your item there. Photos are key to selling your items. Use common sense and caution when meeting with buyers: only accept cash and meet in public places.
If you live in a community without a lot of Craiglist action, selling your stuff in Facebook Groups is a great option. Find local Facebook groups to list your items and be sure to follow all the rules. You’ll keep all the profits of selling via Facebook
If you live in an area that has an active Craigslist community, try listing your item there. Photos are key to selling your items. Use common sense and caution when meeting with buyers: only accept cash and meet in public places.
If you live in a community without a lot of Craiglist action, selling your stuff in Facebook Groups is a great option. Find local Facebook groups to list your items and be sure to follow all the rules. You’ll keep all the profits of selling via Facebook
Related Articles:
Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
With Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap
Estate Sales Aren't Always the Answer: Why Estate Clearing Might Better Fit Your Needs
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
With Declutter + Downsize Sentimental Items Game Plan
Mentally Prepare for Downsizing Your Home: 4 Tips to Control Your Emotions
With Downsizing Your Home Emotional Roadmap
Apps to Consider: Letgo, Offerup, Etc.
There are several apps that let you create accounts and list your items for other members to see.
Apps like LetGo, OfferUp, and 5Miles, etc. are certainly options, however, many users complain about spammers, failure to show up to buy, etc. Be sure to read reviews from users before signing up for an app.
Apps like LetGo, OfferUp, and 5Miles, etc. are certainly options, however, many users complain about spammers, failure to show up to buy, etc. Be sure to read reviews from users before signing up for an app.
You Can Sell Your Stuff Online!
Learning how to sell your items online takes a little bit of research, a flexible timeline, and some technical savvy, but it also can get you the best price. If you are ready to declutter your home and make a little money in the process, try one of our five steps above.
Leave a comment to let us know how your sale went!
Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.
Leave a comment to let us know how your sale went!
Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.
|
Download your free How to Sell Items Online Cheat Sheet here.
|
|
4 smart ideas to sell your stuff offline...and 1 really dumb one (with free printable cheat sheet)
3/5/2018
Whatever you reasons are for selling offline, we are here to share our 4 smart ideas for selling your stuff offline...and one really dumb one.
There are several reasons why you may choose to sell you stuff offline instead of online.
Maybe you have a huge amount of items to sell and don't want to deal with managing 100's of online sales. Perhaps the items, like furniture and antiques, are difficult to pack and ship. Or maybe the seller isn't comfortable with the technology of selling online.
There are several reasons why you may choose to sell you stuff offline instead of online.
Maybe you have a huge amount of items to sell and don't want to deal with managing 100's of online sales. Perhaps the items, like furniture and antiques, are difficult to pack and ship. Or maybe the seller isn't comfortable with the technology of selling online.
READY TO LEARN THE 4 SMART IDEAS FOR SELLING YOUR STUFF OFFLINE? READ ON!
|
We are also sharing our How To Sell Items Offline Cheat Sheet with you today. Just click here to download.
|
|
1: Consider COnsignment Shops
Contacting local consignment shops about selling your items is a great option, but there are some drawbacks.
Consignment shops generally are interested in good-condition furniture, antiques, and home décor. Always call the shop before hauling your items there to see if they are accepting new product. Sending pictures ahead of time is highly recommended.
If you enter into a contract with the consignment shop, they will handle the set-up, pricing and (usually) the remnants. You will receive your payment from them anywhere from 90-120 days.
Some drawbacks you may want to consider:
Consignment shops generally are interested in good-condition furniture, antiques, and home décor. Always call the shop before hauling your items there to see if they are accepting new product. Sending pictures ahead of time is highly recommended.
If you enter into a contract with the consignment shop, they will handle the set-up, pricing and (usually) the remnants. You will receive your payment from them anywhere from 90-120 days.
Some drawbacks you may want to consider:
- You may have to haul the item to them.
- Most shops take a 40-50% commission on the item
- You may have to pick items up that don’t sell
2: Think about Yard or garage sales
If you have a lot of items (of varied quality) to sell, having a yard sale may be right for you. The biggest benefit of a yard sale is that you keep 100% of the profits.
There are a couple key points to having a successful yard sale:
On the downside, yard sales can be a tremendous amount of set-up and tear-down work. Be ready to haggle: negotiating is part of the yard-sale culture. Be sure you have an “exit strategy” to discard or donate items that don’t sell.
There are a couple key points to having a successful yard sale:
- Advertise, advertise, advertise. Get the word out!
- Make your sale easy to shop. Organize like items together and display things neatly. No one likes to dig through boxes.
On the downside, yard sales can be a tremendous amount of set-up and tear-down work. Be ready to haggle: negotiating is part of the yard-sale culture. Be sure you have an “exit strategy” to discard or donate items that don’t sell.
Related Articles:
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
including free printable game plan
Nobody Wants the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When It Happens to You
with free Declutter +Downsize Family Heirlooms Game Plan
5 Steps to Get Rid of Sentimental Clutter
including free printable game plan
3: HOw about an estate sale
If you have an entire house (and garage, attic and/or basement) of things to sell, running your own weekend-long estate sale is an option.
Just like yard sales, it is vitally important to advertise as much as possible. The more traffic you have at your sale, the better your chances of selling things are.
Items should be displayed in an easy-to-shop way and clearly priced. Be ready to help customers haul their purchases out of the house.
Estate sales generally follow a structured price-reduction schedule (e.g. full price Friday and Saturday afternoon, 25% off Saturday night, 50%-75% on Sunday.). Be sure your customers are aware of how your sale is running to avoid problems.
Just like yard sales, it is vitally important to advertise as much as possible. The more traffic you have at your sale, the better your chances of selling things are.
Items should be displayed in an easy-to-shop way and clearly priced. Be ready to help customers haul their purchases out of the house.
Estate sales generally follow a structured price-reduction schedule (e.g. full price Friday and Saturday afternoon, 25% off Saturday night, 50%-75% on Sunday.). Be sure your customers are aware of how your sale is running to avoid problems.
4: Try contacting Jeweler or certified appraiser
Don’t assume jewelry, fine collectibles and gold/silver are fakes or junk! You could literally be throwing money in the garbage.
Research reputable jewelers or certified personal property appraisers in your area and have them review the items. They may be able to connect you with buyers for valuable items.
Any fee you pay to an appraiser is worth saving you the heartache of accidentally throwing away a treasure.
Research reputable jewelers or certified personal property appraisers in your area and have them review the items. They may be able to connect you with buyers for valuable items.
Any fee you pay to an appraiser is worth saving you the heartache of accidentally throwing away a treasure.
Related Articles:
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
includes free printable checklist
Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 DIY Steps to Organize Your Garage
with Dream Garage Planner
Assess the Mess: How to Plan out Downsizing a Home
includes free printable checklist
Clutter Puts the Rage in Garage: 6 DIY Steps to Organize Your Garage
with Dream Garage Planner
The dumb idea? pawning your valuables
The one advantage of selling your valuables to a pawn shop is that you get cash quickly. However, you pay for that desperation.
Chances are that an item you sell to a pawn shop will only get you 25% of the item’s value. You are far better off selling your items anywhere else. Don’t let reality TV shows give you the idea that you’ll make a great profit at a pawn shop.
Remember, if you sell your item to a pawn shop, they have the right to sell your item.
Chances are that an item you sell to a pawn shop will only get you 25% of the item’s value. You are far better off selling your items anywhere else. Don’t let reality TV shows give you the idea that you’ll make a great profit at a pawn shop.
Remember, if you sell your item to a pawn shop, they have the right to sell your item.
You are ready to sell your stuff offline!
Selling your stuff offline can be a great idea if you have a large number of things to sell in a relatively short time frame.
Consigning, yard sales, and estate sales are a fair amount of work for you, but you’ll see cash in-hand fairly quickly.
Be sure to have a reputable jeweler or certified appraiser review items before throwing them out.
Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.
Consigning, yard sales, and estate sales are a fair amount of work for you, but you’ll see cash in-hand fairly quickly.
Be sure to have a reputable jeweler or certified appraiser review items before throwing them out.
Professional Disclaimer: The ideas, recommendations, and opinions on this website, blog, and made in person are for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered legal, financial, or medical advice. I am not an attorney, doctor, or licensed financial professional. Sage Organizing Co., LLC is not liable for any losses or damages related to actions or failure to act related to the content of this website, blog, or in-person discussions. If you need specific legal, financial, or medical advice, consult a professional in your area.
|
To help you get started selling your stuff offline, we are sharing this handy cheat sheet. Enjoy, and Happy Selling!
|
|
Related Articles:
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You
with Declutter +Downsize Game Plan
Post-Organizing: Detox + Declutter Your Home After the Holidays
Nobody Want the Family Heirlooms: What to Do When it Happens to You
with Declutter +Downsize Game Plan
Post-Organizing: Detox + Declutter Your Home After the Holidays
Hey There!
I'm Candi.
I'm an Estate Clearing Pro + Professional Organizer, helping people with family in senior care or that have lost someone to clear out all the contents of the house within a week.
Categories
All
Back To Schoool
Before & After
Closet Organization Ideas + Hacks
Downsizing Your Home
Estate Clearing
Family Heirlooms
Family Schedule Logistics
Free Download
Garage DIY Organization
Garage Mudroom
Grocery Planning
Holiday Organizing
Home Organizing
Later Life Planning
Meal Planning
Organizing Aging Parents
Selling Offline
Selling Your Stuff
Sentimental Items
Weekly Family Routine
Looking for something?
Archives
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
Want to work together?
We love helping busy families organize thier homes + their lives.
