How to Sell Everything in Your House Before You Move
When it comes to moving, it seems that we’re all in agreement: the process of packing up our belongings and moving is hard work. And if you’re selling your home at the same time, you likely feel boxed in and stressed out.
According to a 2024 data report conducted by Gitnux, 61% of people rank moving to be the highest on their list of stressors — even ahead of divorce and starting a new job.
The reason?
Whether you’re going it alone or hiring movers, the process of packing up and moving our belongings to a new location is difficult and time-consuming. With costs ranging anywhere from $300 to $17,000 per move, it can also be expensive.
Downsizing can certainly help, as the fewer belongings you own, the simpler the process will be.
But what if you were to take that one step further and get rid of it all? It might seem extreme, but there are times when selling everything in your house actually makes sense — and can net you a nice profit before moving day.
The benefits of letting it all go
Whether you’re trading your sprawling suburban home for a closet-sized city flat, moving internationally, or simply looking for a fresh start, here are a few key benefits to selling everything in your house before you move:
It depersonalizes the space: When prospective buyers come into your home, they need to be able to envision themselves (and their belongings) in the space. When Joel Freis, a real estate agent in Miami Lakes, Florida, works with sellers, he stresses the importance of creating a staged environment. “You want to create a clean slate for buyers,” he says.
It will net you extra money: This is cash you can save to buy new items once you’re in your new home.
You’ll spend less time (and money) on the move: You always need more moving boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap than you think — and those costs add up fast. Never mind the additional cost and time it takes to move and unpack all those boxes.
You’ll have more freedom to customize your new home: Room sizes and layouts can vary drastically — meaning the furniture and decor you currently have won’t necessarily work well in the new space. By starting fresh, you’ll be able to pick out furnishings with the size and layout of your new home in mind.
It will give you a fresh start: Sometimes, you just need a do-over. By selling all of your belongings now, you won’t be bogged down by bad memories or enter your new home already feeling overwhelmed by what you’re going to do with everything. It gives you an opportunity to start anew, in a fresh, clean, well-organized space.
