A moving sale works best 1 to 3 weeks before you move. Decide what’s going with you first, list big furniture and appliances online a week or two ahead, and price everything to sell, since the goal is to have less to pack and move. Advertise it as a “moving sale” because buyers expect bigger items and better deals, and line up a donation pickup for whatever’s left.
Moving sale vs. garage sale
A moving sale is a garage sale with a deadline. That changes a few things:
- You’re selling bigger items: furniture, appliances, tools, patio sets and lawn equipment.
- Buyers expect lower prices, because they know you need things gone.
- You can’t keep leftovers, so you need a plan for what doesn’t sell.
Not sure which kind of sale fits? See garage sale vs. yard sale vs. estate sale.
Moving sale timeline
- 3 to 4 weeks before the move: Go room by room and sort into keep, sell, donate and toss. Put a strip of colored tape on everything you’re keeping.
- 2 to 3 weeks before: List big, valuable items (furniture, appliances, bikes, tools) online with photos and measurements. Many will sell before sale day.
- 1 to 2 weeks before: Hold the sale on a Friday and Saturday or a Saturday morning. Here’s the best time for a garage sale.
- The day after the sale: Have a charity pickup or a friend with a truck take what’s left. Here’s how to donate unsold items.
Don’t wait until the last weekend. You’ll be packing, and you’ll have no time to deal with leftovers.
How to price a moving sale
- Furniture in good shape: often 25% to 40% of what you paid.
- Appliances that work: plug them in so buyers can see them run, and price around a third of new.
- Everyday household items: standard garage sale prices. See our garage sale pricing guide.
- Last two hours: cut prices in half or offer “fill a bag for $5.”
Be ready to haggle on big pieces. Here are tips for negotiating at a garage sale.
Advertising a moving sale
- Put “Moving Sale” and “Everything Must Go” in the headline. Both draw more buyers than “garage sale.”
- List your biggest items by name: “sectional sofa, washer and dryer, patio set.”
- Post on Craigslist, Facebook groups and Nextdoor. Here’s how to post a garage sale on Craigslist and examples of ads that work.
- Put up signs that say “Moving Sale” in big letters. See garage sale signs that work.
Moving sale tips for sale day
- Keep “not for sale” items out of sight. Close doors to rooms you’re not selling from, and tape off packed boxes.
- Have help for big items. A friend can help carry furniture and watch the cash.
- Know the measurements of furniture and appliances, and have a tape measure handy.
- Ask buyers to pick up big items the same day, or take a non-refundable payment to hold an item for a set time.
- Take digital payments for big sales. Here’s how to accept Venmo or Zelle.
Use our garage sale checklist to keep track of everything else, and read our garage sale safety tips before buyers come inside to see furniture.
FAQ
How far in advance should you have a moving sale?
One to three weeks before your move is the sweet spot. That leaves time to deal with leftovers and finish packing.
Should you sell furniture at a moving sale or online?
Both. List valuable pieces online first, then put anything that hasn’t sold out at the sale.
What sells best at a moving sale?
Furniture, appliances, tools, lawn equipment, kids’ gear and anything too bulky to move. Here’s more on what sells best at garage sales.