What’s worth selling? Start with the things you already own.

Start with useful, easy-to-describe things

Choose an item you can identify, photograph and hand over without a big project. A working monitor with its stand and cable is easier to explain than a box of unidentified electronics. A pair of boots with a clear size label is easier to list than a mixed bag with no sizes.

Clothes, furniture, phones and garden equipment are sensible places to look, but age or a famous brand does not automatically make something valuable. Check that you own it, can describe its condition honestly and are allowed to list it.

• Tech: laptops, phones, monitors and accessories you have tested.
• Clothes: coats, knitwear, shoes and bags with clear sizes and labels.
• Home: desks, chairs, shelving and lamps, with dimensions and any faults.
• Garden: sound pots, hand tools, outdoor furniture and complete equipment.

Use actual comparisons to choose a price

Search for the same model, size or brand and compare the condition and accessories. Where a service shows completed sales, use those as a starting point: a hopeful asking price on an unsold advert is not proof of value. Compare private used items with similar items, rather than a refurbished shop item with a warranty.

Allow for cleaning, packaging, postage and your time. A small sale may be worthwhile if collection is simple, but less useful if it means buying a box and making a special trip. There is no universal minimum value: decide what makes the effort worthwhile for you.

Sell individually, bundle or give away?

List an identifiable item on its own when its details matter. Bundle related lower-value things when a buyer could use them together, such as pots of similar sizes or clothes in one size. Photograph everything included and state that the price is for the whole bundle.

If you mainly want the space back, a free listing may make more sense. Describe its condition just as carefully and make collection arrangements clear. Unsafe or unusable things need an appropriate repair or recycling route; giving them away is not a substitute for dealing with a safety problem.

Make the advert answer the obvious questions

Use daylight and a clear background. Take a full view, useful detail pictures and close-ups of any wear. Describe the brand, model or size, what works, what is included and any missing parts. Give dimensions for bulky items so the buyer can check the fit before messaging.

Choose collection or delivery realistically. If you offer delivery, agree the cost, method and payment directly with the buyer before sending anything. Confirm payment in your own account, rather than relying on a screenshot or an email saying it has arrived.

Start with one listing, then learn from it

You do not need to clear the whole house to get started. Pick your easiest item, add photos and write a plain description. If it attracts questions, use those questions to improve the advert. If it does not sell, review the first photo, the asking price and the collection arrangements before deciding whether to reduce the price.

Keep the listing accurate as things change. Mark it sold after the handover, or withdraw it if you decide to keep it. A clear, honest advert gives the next person enough information to decide whether it suits them.