If you're like most people who are selling a home and moving, you've got some decluttering to do. 

One of the best ways to take the sting out of getting rid of your extra stuff is to sell it. Besides the usual channels like garage sales and local donations, Facebook Marketplace is becoming one of the most popular places for people to buy and sell online. 

I recently sold quite a few things on Marketplace and was pleasantly surprised by how well it went. The site seems more lively and less cumbersome than Craigslist or eBay, and Facebook makes it quick and easy to communicate with buyers. But it can still be daunting, and there are some scams and dangers along the way. I learned a few things that I want to pass on to help with any selling you need to do. 

These cloisonné spoons weren't a full set, so I knew I couldn't demand top price.  

 Get started 

You'll need to be a Facebook member to sell on the site. You can sell from either your computer or your phone without adding an extra app.  

Do some research about what other products similar to yours are listed. Once you know the current market value of your offerings, you can decide whether you want to sell, keep, or donate them. 

This is not the time to be sentimental about what you are selling. If you have a positive emotional connection to something, reconsider if you'll regret selling it. But converting some hand-me-downs and poor purchases into cash can be liberating, and will help you pack and stage your home.   

Show features of your offerings, like the fact that this recliner has a USB port, and that it can sit close to the wall. 

Give details 

When writing your listing, give all the pertinent facts. The more information you provide, the more confident the buyer can be about a second-hand purchase. Mention details like measurements, age, fabric content, type of wood or metal, and brand names. 

Highlight the important selling features by listing them first. Don't give any backstory about how you acquired it. And don't make suggestions about how the item can be used because these buyers already have a use for what they're looking for.       

Tell the truth. Confess it if the pitcher you are selling has a minor chip in the base, or the dresser is missing one knob, or the lamp has a frayed cord. Be honest and let your photos show any signs of damage. Marketplace attracts many do-it-yourselfers who are okay with repairs and repurposing. 

The woman who bought this vintage luggage wanted it because it was manufactured in her hometown the year she was born, facts she learned because I included them in my sales copy.  

Add good photos

Just as when you list your home for sale, photos are essential sales tools. Good photos tempt the buyer into wanting to know more.

Facebook Marketplace lets you load as many as ten photographs into your post. That set of glassware you are selling may not require more than three different images. But if you are selling something like an oil painting, you should go for the full ten -- front, back, frame, and close-up views. That's what it will take to give buyers the whole picture. 

Take time to get good shots. Clean your item if it needs it. Shoot where the lighting is good. Take multiple photos, and narrow them down to the most flattering, informative, and authentic ones. Good photos will save time and confusion for both you and your buyer. 

It's also helpful if you include something that indicates size. A coin placed next to a framed picture, or a yardstick placed alongside a chair, gives good information at a glance. 

The doorknob indicated the size of this purse, giving the buyer information they want. 


Have a neutral background. If the headboard you are selling is leaning against a pile of other things in your storage unit, it's not helping sell the headboard. Remove nearby distractions. Place items on a background like grass, fabric, carpeting, or pavement, or against a wall or the side of a building. 

Lastly, make the most informative and flattering photo the profile shot. 

Price it right

Marketplace isn't like 1stDibs or Poshmark. Marketplace buyers expect real bargains.  Professional "pickers" and buyers who resell can be the first ones to message you. It's your call whether you want to accept their lower offer or wait for later buyers. 

Because Facebook makes it possible for buyers to receive notifications for items they are interested in, serious buyers will message you soon after you list. Your quick response to a question can make the difference between a sale and no-sale. 

Only a few of the people who responded to my listings offered radically lower amounts than what I asked for. Most buyers appreciate how easy it is to buy through Facebook. If a customer has narrowed her search to local sellers, it means she'll avoid shipping charges and can view the merchandise before committing to a sale. Big win!  

Whether you decide to sell at rock-bottom prices or at prices comparable to your competition's will depend on how motivated you are to sell. Do you have time to wait for the perfect offer? Or are you needing to quickly delutter so you can stage your house? 

Knife collectors, I learned, did not care that this set was incomplete. It sold quickly for a good price.   

Be prompt, courteous, and safe 

Don't keep people messaging you waiting. Rather than hit the "Still available" button, respond with a comment such as, "Can I answer any questions for you?" Friendly communication builds trust. 

Facebook makes it easy for you to hide your listings from any friends you have on Facebook. This  could be especially handy if you are selling gifts given to you by friends, neighbors, or family members. 

Be polite and businesslike when people query you. Don't assume that any buyer is legit. Facebook gives you tips on avoiding scams and illegal transactions. If you are uncomfortable with meeting a buyer near your home, meet at a nearby public place or a safe place like a police station. I prefer cash or PayPal over checks or apps like Venmo, but that's just me. There are multiple options for accepting payment for Facebook Marketplace sales. 

The original label on the seat of this antique chair provided the buyer and me with valuable details.  

More tips 

If you need a quick how-to on selling through Marketplace, Facebook provides one. I'd suggest limiting your selling to local pickup. It's less expensive and definitely less complicated. But if you have items that would sell to a very limited audience and would ship easily, go ahead and expand your market if that is an option where you live (Facebook lets you know). Setting up a Venmo account is easy.

Get the look, get the  book

Decluttering should be your first step in your journey to a new home. Scaling back on belongings makes your homestaging more effective. And having fewer possessions means packing, storing, moving, and unpacking are easier and more economical. I hope what I learned by selling on Marketplace will help you pare down the stuff you have to move. 

I can share more about what I've learned about getting a home ready for market. Just download my eBook, DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and For Top Dollar. You'll learn all you need to know about pricing, selecting a Realtor, speed cleaning, decluttering, and the DIY projects that are simple and thrifty, but make your home more valuable!