One of the biggest questions our clients face when downsizing is: “What do I do with all the things I’m not taking with me?”
For many seniors, their home is full of furniture, art, collectibles, and everyday items collected over a lifetime. Deciding what to do with these belongings can be overwhelming. Should you sell them? Donate them? Or try an estate sale?
At Ideal Move, we help families in Jacksonville and across Northeast Florida navigate these choices every day. Let’s look at three of the most common options — estate sales, consignment, and donations — and when each one makes the most sense.
Estate Sales in Jacksonville
f you have a house full of quality furniture, décor, and collectibles, an estate sale may be a good fit. Professional estate sale companies set prices, advertise, and manage the sale onsite. The advantage is that they handle everything, and you can clear out a large amount at once.
However, estate sale companies typically take a percentage of the proceeds and may require a minimum value to make it worthwhile. The best results come when you have a mix of desirable, good-quality items and enough volume to attract buyers.
In Jacksonville, there are several reputable estate sale companies, and as a senior move manager we can help connect you to ones we know and trust.
Consignment Shops in Jacksonville
If you have higher-end furniture or pieces in very good condition, consignment can be another option. A consignment shop will display your item and pay you a portion of the sale once it sells.
This can work well for a few select items, but it’s not usually practical for clearing out an entire house. Consignment shops also reserve the right to mark items down if they don’t sell quickly, and if an item doesn’t sell at all, you may need to pick it up again.
In Northeast Florida, there are several consignment shops that specialize in quality furniture. As part of our services, we help clients determine whether consignment is realistic for their items.
Donating to Charities
For many families, the simplest and most rewarding solution is donation. Donating to charities in Jacksonville not only clears space but also helps others in need. Charities often accept furniture, household goods, and clothing, and some organizations even provide pickup services.
While you won’t make money from donating, you may qualify for a tax deduction, and you’ll know that your belongings are going to a good cause. Many of our clients feel a deep sense of peace knowing their items will help local families.
How to Decide
- Estate Sale → Best if you have many quality items and want to generate income quickly.
- Consignment → Best if you have a few high-quality furniture pieces and are willing to wait for them to sell.
- Donation → Best if you want the simplest, fastest, and most rewarding solution, especially for items that are hard to sell.
Our Role as a Senior Move Manager
At Ideal Move, we never have a conflict of interest when advising you — we don’t profit from selling your belongings. Instead, we focus on guiding you to the best solution for your situation. Downsizing and deciding what to do with household contents can be emotional, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
If you’re downsizing or relocating in Jacksonville, St. Augustine, or anywhere in Northeast Florida, we’d be honored to help. Call us at 904-826-7055 or visit www.myidealmove.com for a free consultation.
