As you begin thinking about downsizing and getting rid of some items, you might consider selling on Facebook, Nextdoor Marketplace or Craigslist. Here’s how to do it safely.
Selling on Facebook, Nextdoor Marketplace, and Craigslist: What you need to know
Facebook Marketplace is a platform within Facebook where users can buy and sell new and used items locally or nationwide. There are no listing fees when selling on Facebook; though Facebook does charge a small transaction fee to sellers when a sale is made. Facebook’s large audience offers an advantage. Selling on Facebook lets you reach over one billion active users worldwide.
Selling on Facebook can be done in a few simple steps:
- Go to Facebook Marketplace and create a new listing with a clear title, accurate category, detailed description, and well-lit photos.
- Be sure to research similar items to set a fair and competitive price, keeping in mind the item’s condition and brand.
- When communicating with potential buyers, stick to Facebook Messenger, avoid sharing personal information, and watch for red flags like requests to ship before payment or suspicious links.
- Arrange to meet buyers in public places or designated exchange zones and only accept trusted forms of payment like cash or secure digital apps. When selling on Facebook, always confirm payment is received before handing over the item.
Craigslist
Craigslist is free, simple to use, and has a large local audience. The site’s main function is to host classified ads that cover practically every possible category, including housing, job postings, items for sale, services and personals.
In addition, Craigslist is organized by the city, so your items are seen by people nearby, which makes it ideal for local pickups and cash sales, especially for furniture, electronics, vehicles, and other bulky items.
- Go to Craigslist.org, select your location, and click “Create a posting.”
- Choose the appropriate category (for example, “for sale by owner”), then enter a clear title, fair price, detailed description, and upload clear photos.
- Price competitively by researching similar listings in your area.
- When buyers reach out, communicate through Craigslist’s anonymous email system and avoid sharing personal contact info right away.
- Meet in well-lit public places or police station exchange zones, bring someone with you if possible, and stick to cash payments only. Be cautious of scams—avoid checks, wire transfers, or buyers who seem too eager or ask you to ship the item.
Nextdoor Marketplace
Used by nearly 1 in 3 households in the United States, Nextdoor Marketplace is a community-based platform that allows neighbors to buy, sell, or give away items. The idea is to make it easy for people in a specific area to interact with people they know or live near, whether buying and selling items, or simply giving them away. Services are also offered as well, such as lawn care, home repairs, and more.
- Open the app or website, go to the “For Sale & Free” section, and click “Post an item for sale.”
- Add a clear, honest title, choose the correct category, write a detailed description, and upload clear, well-lit photos.
- Check out items in your neighborhood so you can set a price that is fair, based on your item’s condition and local demand.
- When interacting with buyers, communicate through Nextdoor’s messaging system and do not give your personal information.
- Arrange to meet in public places, like a coffee shop or a local exchange zone, and accept secure forms of payment like cash or trusted mobile apps. Stay alert for suspicious behavior or overly eager buyers and never ship items or accept checks or overpayments.
Online selling, downsizing, and looking forward
The key to effective downsizing is to keep the process positive. With the right mindset, you might even find it liberating! Feeling more organized, knowing you’ve let go of things you no longer want or need, and looking forward to a “lighter” lifestyle can be a very good thing, especially when you know your next address is a modern senior living community where carefree living is waiting.
Related: Tips to make downsizing easier
Online selling offers you an easy way to let go of items, without you having to go through several steps of relocating them. Plus, you’re either selling them or giving them to someone who wants them. That’s a good feeling as well.
Downsizing your home can be a positive and even liberating experience when approached with the right mindset. Rather than focusing on what you’re letting go of, view it as an opportunity to simplify your life, reduce clutter, and create a more manageable, efficient living space. Keep the items that matter; let go of what doesn’t. Then when you move into the senior living apartment you will call home, you’ll be ready to create a new space that matches your newfound freedom: bright, light, and comfortable!
Related: Creating Comfort: How to Make Senior Living Feel Like Home
At Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America® (PMMA), we are here to help you make the right choice
Here, you’ll find everything you need to live your best life, surrounded by a supportive community. If you’ve got questions about downsizing or not sure where to even start, we recommend downloading our free ABCs to Downsizing guide. You’ll learn everything you need to know – and more – about paring down your belongings and transitioning to a simpler life in senior living.
When you’re ready, reach out to an advisor to learn more about PMMA’s Life Plan communities and how you can start living the perfect lifestyle to meet your needs.
