Should You Sell or Donate Your Items?

As you look around your home, you may be overwhelmed by all of the things you have accumulated over the years. From kitchen items to collectibles, furniture to jewelry, we all have our interests, and when it's time to declutter or downsize, you may not know what to do with everything in your home. Although some items can fetch a nice profit, others may be better off donated to help those in need. It helps to have a team that will work with you to determine what can be done with the items in your home or collection, so that you have the assurance that you're handling these items properly.

So, should you sell or donate your items? Let's learn about some best practices.

Pros & Cons of Selling

Selling your items may be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, why not make a bit of a profit on some of the belongings that you're willing to part with, while also clearing out your home to either make it more manageable or get it ready to sell. The obvious benefit of selling items is making a profit; however, how you go about this can vastly affect the outcome. We recommend putting your items into a professional online auction to enhance their appeal, while maximizing their selling potential. Not only will you be able to keep a percentage of the profits, you'll also be able to sell more items for more money, as opposed to simply hosting a garage or an estate sale. Top items that perform well at auction include:

• Furniture sets

• Antique & vintage collectibles

• Glassware

• Pottery & artwork

• Flatware

• Vintage sports memorabilia

• Vintage toys

Although selling works for some, it may not work for others, especially if you're short on time and simply don't want to take on the responsibility of a sale. However, this can all be alleviated by hiring a team that can set up your sale and manage it from start to finish.

Pros & Cons of Donating

Donating is another way to successfully get rid of items that are no longer needed in the home. If you have a lot of items in the home that may not be in the absolute best condition or may not be very desirable, donating them may the right move. It's important to note that although you are donating items, it doesn't mean that garbage or items that are in poor condition should be donated. For those who simply don't want to set up a sale, donating is an alternative to ensuring that your items find new homes and your home becomes less cluttered.

To make the right choice, we recommend working with a team who can go through all of your items, letting you know which items are worth selling and which are best for donating. In having the help of a professional team that knows what the area buyer is looking for, you'll have a better experience, whether you're attempting to declutter, downsize or sell the home.