Move It or Sell It: What to Sell Before Moving

Planning a relocation and wondering whether to move your belongings or sell them and start fresh?

This decision affects your budget, stress level, and even how quickly your new place feels like home.

Start with this quick quiz to help you decide which is best for you:

The Move It or Sell It? Quick Quiz

1) Moving to a new home is a chance to:

a) start afresh and build a new life
b) put your old life into a new perspective

2) Your household items are:

a) outdated things you can’t wait to replace
b) cherished belongings you’re attached to

3) Shopping for new items is:

a) exciting and something you look forward to
b) a stressful hassle you’d rather avoid

Mostly “a” answers?
You’re ready for a clean slate. Selling most of your belongings before the move and buying new items afterward may suit you best.

Mostly “b” answers?
You value familiarity and comfort. Moving your belongings will help you quickly recreate your comfort zone in your new home.

That said, real life is rarely that simple.

You may also like to read: How to Declutter for a Home Move. Whichever way you decide to go, there will always be stuff you don’t need or love anymore. In this guide, we explain how to declutter ready for moving home.

Why the Decision Isn’t Easy

Even if you dream of a brand-new life, buying everything at once may not be financially realistic. And even if you love your old items, they may not fit your new space, lifestyle, or relocation budget.

That’s why the smartest approach is to evaluate each item individually, considering cost, value, distance, and practicality.

You may also like to read: How to Move Home Cheaply. In this guide, we share tips on how to save money on every aspect of your home move.

Pros and Cons of Selling Your Items Before Moving

Selling everything before relocating can be liberating, but it comes with trade-offs.

Advantages of Selling Before You Move

• Extra cash: Every item sold adds money to your moving budget
• Lower moving costs: Fewer movers, smaller trucks, and less packing materials
• Less effort: Packing an entire household is exhausting and time-consuming
• Design freedom: Furnish your new home exactly how you want
• Better fit: New items can match your new home’s size, layout, and style
• Less clutter: A simpler, more minimal lifestyle

Disadvantages of Selling Everything

• Loss of sentimental items that can’t be replaced
• Time-consuming repurchasing of essentials after the move
• Higher upfront costs to replace furniture and household basics
• Temporary discomfort if you delay buying replacements

Selling everything often sounds appealing, but it rarely makes sense in practice.

You may also like to read: How to Organize a Garage Sale. In this guide, we share tips on how to hold a successful yard sale.

Pros and Cons of Moving Your Old Belongings

Bringing your belongings with you offers comfort and continuity, but it isn’t always the cheapest or easiest option.

Advantages of Moving Your Stuff

• Quickly setting up once your shipment arrives
• Emotional comfort from familiar and cherished items
• Faster adjustment to your new environment
• Lower replacement costs compared to buying new

Disadvantages of Moving Your Stuff

• Exhausting packing effort or added cost for professional packers
• Higher transportation expenses, especially for long-distance moves
• Risk of damage or loss
• Limited flexibility in creating a new style or layout
• Fit issues if items don’t suit your new space

You may also like to read: How to Negotiate with Movers. Once you have decided what you are taking, another tip to save money is to negotiate a better price for your move with the movers. In this guide, we explain how.

Should You Move or Sell Your Stuff? Things to Consider

1. The Value of Each Item

Think beyond emotional attachment and assess value objectively.

Practical Value

Move items that are:

• Frequently used
• Functional and comfortable
• Durable and in excellent condition

Sell items that are worn out or nearing replacement anyway.

Sentimental Value

Always keep:

• Family heirlooms
• Personal favorites
• Items tied to meaningful memories

Monetary Value

Move:

• Expensive or high-quality items
• Hard-to-replace pieces
• Artwork, antiques, and collectibles you enjoy

Important: Always confirm that an item will fit through doors and into your new space before deciding to move it.

You may also like to read: How to Make a Floor Plan. It may be that you are downsizing or have large pieces of furniture that may not fit into your new home. Making a floor plan will help you make that decision, here we show you how to make a floor plan of your new home.

2. The Type of Move

• Local move: Moving your belongings usually makes sense
• Long-distance move: Consider selling bulky or heavy items
• International move: Take only essential personal possessions

If you’re downsizing, selling becomes unavoidable unless you want to deal with long-term storage, which is often costly and impractical.

3. Risk of Damage

If an item is:

• Extremely fragile
• Oversized or awkwardly shaped
• Difficult to transport safely

It may be better to sell it and replace it, unless it’s truly irreplaceable and worth custom crating.

4. Cost Comparison: Move vs. Replace

A simple rule:

• If moving costs are lower than replacement costs – sell it
• If replacement costs more – move it

To decide accurately:

1. Get binding moving estimates
2. Research replacement prices in your new location
3. Include delivery and setup costs

This comparison usually makes the answer obvious.

You may also like to read: Understanding Estimates. It is vitally important that you understand exactly the type of quote you are being given so that you can better decide what to take and what to sell. This guide explains the different types of quotes you will receive.

What to Move and What to Sell Before Relocating

Items Worth Moving

• Daily-use essentials in good condition
• High-quality furniture
• Favorite clothing and personal items
• Family heirlooms and sentimental objects
• Artwork and décor you love
• Anything that makes your new place feel like home

Items Best Sold Before Moving

• Large, heavy furniture with low resale value
• Appliances that are costly to transport
• Fragile or easily damaged items
• Most books, dishes, and glassware
• Extra linens and duplicates
• Cheap décor and unused items
• Anything you won’t use in your new lifestyle

You may also like to read: Home Moving Insurance. One of the most common home moving mistakes is underinsuring your home move. In this guide, we explain all you need to know about home moving insurance.

How to Sell Your Stuff When Moving

Step 1: Price Items Realistically

Consider:

• Market value
• Brand or maker
• Condition and age

Overpricing slows sales, especially when buyers know you’re moving.

Step 2: Choose the Best Selling Method

Sell Online

• Platforms: Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Amazon
• Include clear descriptions and quality photos
• Expect lower prices and slower sales

Have a Moving Sale

• Requires planning, but you can sell many items at once
• Bundle items and offer discounts
• Great for quick, in-person transactions

House Clearances

• Least effort, least profit
• You’re paid only after items sell

Bonus tip: Always mention other items for sale, as buyers often want matching or related pieces.

You may also like to read: How to Sell Furniture. In this guide, we share tips for selling any furniture that you will not be taking to your new home.

When relocating, take what you need and love and sell the rest. Avoid rushing to refill your new home. Buy only essentials and items you truly enjoy.

This ensures that you save money, reduce clutter, and helps you create a space that fits your new life, not your old one.

Good luck with your move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog for guides on how to make every aspect of your home move easier, safer, and cheaper.