Moving is stressful enough without having to pack up items you don't even want. The good news? A well-promoted moving sale can help you sell nearly everything before the moving truck arrives. The secret is creating urgency, pricing aggressively, and making it crystal clear that you're motivated to clear out. Here's how to highlight your moving sale so effectively that you'll be high-fiving yourself instead of hauling unwanted stuff to your new place.
Start Early, Promote Often
Use Moving Day as Your Deadline
Price Like You Mean It
Bundle, Bundle, Bundle
Make Your Signs Impossible to Miss
Host Multiple Sale Days
Drop Prices Publicly and Dramatically
Have a Backup Plan Ready
Be Upfront About Your Timeline
The Final Push
The biggest mistake people make? Waiting until the week before the move to start selling. Give yourself at least 3-4 weeks of lead time. Post your moving sale on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, Craigslist, and local buy/sell groups immediately. Use attention-grabbing language: "MOVING SALE—Everything Must Go!" or "Relocating Cross-Country—Your Gain, My Loss!" Update your posts weekly with fresh photos of new items and price drops to keep them at the top of feeds.
People love a firm deadline. Put your moving date right in your listing titles and descriptions: "Moving Sale—All Items Gone by June 15th" or "Last Weekend Before Move—Rock Bottom Prices!" This creates genuine urgency that browsers can't ignore. Buyers know you're not just saying things must go—you literally can't take them with you. That psychological edge turns window shoppers into buyers.
Forget trying to recoup what you paid. Your goal is zero items left, not maximum profit. Price everything at 30-50% below typical garage sale prices from the start. A $20 lamp? Make it $8. A couch you bought for $1,200? List it at $150. Remember: every item you sell is one less thing to move, donate, or trash. The money you save on moving costs and the time you save on disposal makes aggressive pricing absolutely worth it.
Group similar items together with irresistible combo deals. "All kitchen items—$40 for everything" or "Complete bedroom set: bed frame, nightstands, and dresser—$200." Take group photos showing everything included. Buyers love feeling like they're getting a steal, and you'll clear entire rooms in single transactions. Near the end, get creative: "Fill a bag for $5" or "Name your price for the whole shelf."
Don't just write "Garage Sale"—write "MOVING SALE" in huge letters on your signs. Add phrases like "Everything Priced to Go!" or "Furniture, Appliances, Household Items—All Must Sell!" Use bright poster board or neon colors, and place signs at every major intersection within half a mile. The more specific you are about what you're selling (especially big-ticket items), the more traffic you'll get.
One weekend might not be enough for a moving sale. Consider hosting back-to-back weekend sales or even Thursday through Sunday marathons. Advertise different categories for different days if you have a lot: "Furniture Friday" followed by "Everything Else Saturday & Sunday." This gives you multiple chances to reach different buyers and shows you're seriously committed to clearing out.
On your last sale day, make a big deal about final markdowns. Post on social media: "FINAL DAY—All remaining items 75% off starting at noon!" or "Last 2 hours—name your own price on everything left!" You can even put out a "free" box with smaller items. When people see you're desperate to get rid of things (in a good way), they'll show up ready to negotiate and haul stuff away.
Despite your best efforts, you might have a few stragglers. Line up your exit strategy before sale day. Research local charities that offer free pickup, find out your city's bulk trash day, or contact a junk removal service for quotes. Some moving companies will dispose of items for a fee. Knowing your plan B takes the pressure off and helps you make quick decisions on sale day about what to keep pushing versus what to let go.
Put your urgency in every listing: "Moving out of state in 2 weeks—motivated seller!" Include phrases like "Open to reasonable offers" or "Will consider trades for moving supplies." When people message you, mention you're relocating and need items gone ASAP. Most buyers will respect your situation and some might even offer more help than expected.
Moving sales work because everyone understands your motivation. You're not trying to make a killing—you're trying to make your move easier. Lean into that narrative, price accordingly, and promote relentlessly. When you hand over those keys to your empty house, you'll be grateful you invested the energy upfront. Plus, starting fresh in your new place without the weight of unnecessary stuff? That's priceless.