- Guest Contributor
- April 22, 2021
So, you’re in need of some fast cash. You might have too many things in your house and you’re ready to unload some of your old stuff in exchange for a fistful of green. Or maybe, you have friends who sell on online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Mercari, Poshmark, and even Etsy. You feel confident that this is the right thing for you at this time… but what should you sell?
Below, we’re listing the five best things that you can sell online and turn a profit at home.
Item 1: Furniture
Furniture that’s in good condition and sold for a fair price can turn a good profit. This is a great option if you’re hoping to either clear some clutter from your home or if you’re planning to relocate soon. When you’re trying to sell furniture online, these tips are important:
- Take good pictures, from many angles, and in good lighting.
- Be honest! Disclose scuff marks and blemishes with pictures and descriptions.
- Give accurate dimensions.
- Rate the furniture (like-new? gently-used?).
- Write thorough descriptions that describe firmness, textures, functionality and more.
Item 2: Books.
Books are easy to sell because they’re easy to ship. If your book collection was recently converted to a digital format, then selling your paperbacks and hardbacks can be logical and rewarding. When selling books online, be prepared to disclose the print edition and condition of the book. Selling books online usually won’t make a lot of money fast, but it can make substantial money over time.
Item 3: Clothing and shoes.
If you’re a clothes horse with a closet full of good quality items, selling your old clothes makes room for new. Selling clothing is a lot like selling furniture. It’s important to disclose blemishes and stains, and to rate the condition of the clothes for the person making the purchase.
Model the clothes either on your body or on a mannequin. This can help the buyer envision what the clothes would look like on their own body, which makes it easier to make a sale.
Item 4: Storage space
Did you know you could sell your empty storage space? It’s true. Neighbor is an app that allows you to list your extra space online, so people in your community can rent your space when it’s needed. Maybe you have a mostly empty basement that you don’t use much. Perhaps you’ve got a shed that you’ve never used – it just came with the house. List your storage space online and rent it out to the people in your community.
Item 5: Old or unused electronics.
You’d be amazed how many people might want that old VCR or DVD player. If you’ve got an old stereo or speaker system, it could be worth a lot of money. List your old or unused electronics online. Be sure to include any information about parts that aren’t working, scratches or blemishes that your buyer might want to know about.
About the Author: Kathryn Elwell grew up in the Midwest. She has experience in management and human resources, and has been writing on these topics and more for 12 years.
