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If you’re preparing to move into one of the new homes in Moseley VA this summer and want to get rid of some items rather than packing them, a garage or yard sale is often one of the go-to options. However, that isn’t always possible, for a variety of reasons. Fortunately, just as you can buy so much online, you can sell it online too. Plus, you potentially reach a much larger market and don’t have to sit outside in the heat all day haggling. If you’re interested in hosting a virtual yard sale, here are some tips to make the most of it.

First off, decide what you want to sell. Obviously, the better shape an item is in, the better price you can get. However, you’re not limited to big-ticket items like furniture, gaming consoles, etc. You can also bundle smaller, less expensive items, ranging from books to kitchen items. By bundling, you can get rid of more items in one go at potentially a better price. Some of these household item bundles are great for college students or anyone moving into an apartment on their own for the first time, or even people who have just moved and maybe were overzealous in getting rid of stuff.

When it comes to virtual sales, you do have to make an effort to take a lot of photos of all items for sale. While this is obviously a bit more time consuming, when done right, it can really help your sales. First, make sure you get multiple angles of furniture and do be honest and include any damage so that people know what they’re buying and you’re less likely to have a sale fall through if the buyer finds damage not mentioned or pictured. Ideally, try to find a white sheet or table cloth to use as a base and a backdrop for the photos, and make sure it’s not wrinkled. The idea is to have a clean, well-lit setting for the photos. If you can’t make a backdrop, at least make sure the surface and background are clean and tidy. Clothing, boxes, and clutter in the background make a home look dirty and can be off-putting to potential buyers.

When it comes to pricing, you may want to do a bit of research on sales sites to see what the typical price is for similar items. You may find that some items potentially sell for more than you thought, though you also may find other items going for less. Still, it gives you a better sense and if you really want to sell, you can always offer bargain pricing.

Now comes the time to decide where you want to sell your items. Unless you have an in-demand, niche item, eBay and Amazon Marketplace may not be worth the effort. Once you deal with packing and determining shipping, it could become more of a hassle and expenditure than the item is worth. Keeping the sales local eliminates the need for shipping, which also makes the items more appealing to buyers. Craig’s List, OfferUp, and letgo are all popular, free options for listing items and attracting a local market. You could also consider Facebook Marketplace or neighborhood Facebook pages that allow sale listings, and don’t forget to post items on your own Facebook page.

You may want to give yourself a timeframe, especially if you’re going to be moving. Plan ahead and try selling a few items at a time, rather than listing everything. You may learn from the first listings and make some changes with the next. Also, consider listing items around midweek, so you don’t get lost in the pile of listings that are likely to go up closer to the weekend. Be sure to respond to questions as soon as possible.

When it comes time for the sale, you may want to consider a public place for safety purposes, if the item is easy to move. Some police stations even have designated parking spaces for completing online sales. If you do have the buyer come to your home, ideally put the item outside before they arrive and only give out your phone number and home address through private messages. Don’t list any personal info in the sale listing.

While cash is always an option, not everyone is going to be comfortable with it. It helps to have online payment options such as PayPal and Venmo as an alternative. With apps and smartphones, the payment can be made at the same time as the pickup.

While virtual garage sales may seem like more work at first, you have more time to list individual items and aren’t limited to a certain number of hours on a pre-determined day that could be rained out. Ultimately, you stand a better chance of selling more items at a better price, cleaning up your home and giving yourself less to pack if you’re moving into one of the LifeStyle homes in Moseley VA. Once you’ve had the experience, you may find yourself returning to it regularly as an easy way to get rid of items you no longer need and make a little money at the same time!

This post was written by Lifestyle Homebuilders.