Top items to consider selling before moving

by Ann Hayward 02/03/2025

Top items to sell to help simplify your moving process  featured image

Selling your home and moving away can be stressful. Packing up all your belongings and moving them takes much time, organization and attention to detail. However, to lessen the strain of this task and perhaps make a few extra dollars, it pays to sell items that are no longer needed. 

Furniture

Have an old couch, bookshelf or sofa that simply doesn’t fit the aesthetic of your new place or would take up too much space? It may be time to sell these pieces of furniture so they can be made of great use with another household or donate them to charity organizations.

Appliances

Appliances such as  refrigerators,a washer and dryer as well as other home features can be too large to move to your new place. They may also prove extra difficult to move if your new home is far from your current one. 

For this reason, it may be more efficient and time saving to purchase new appliances or your new place, and sell your old ones, especially if you’re in a time crunch. There are many online services to advertise your appliances, however as mentioned previously, you can donate these items to charity. You can also offer them as an added benefit to whoever purchases your current home. 

Home decorations

Your home decor may be well-suited to your current residence, however it may not have the same impact in your new home. This may be a sign that it’s time to let these items  go to make room for new decorations.  

If you would like a more hands-on approach to selling these items, consider costing a yard sale or dropping them off at a local thrift store which can also be used as a tax deduction. 

Moving away can be stressful, however by letting go of the old, you make room for your new adventure. 



About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]