How Facebook Marketplace Helps Us Downsize, Declutter, and Keep Good Stuff Out of the Landfill

My husband has been buying and selling online since the mid-90s — back when eBay and Craigslist ruled the bargain-hunting world. These days, Facebook Marketplace is our favorite tool for finding local buyers who can give our old items a new life — and keep them out of the landfill.

We sold this granite to a someone in Winchester, instead of paying for it to be thrown away!

I wanted a new porcelain farmhouse sink and replaced this stainless steal one

Kitchen renovation in progress - reused cabinets and got them painted white.

Removed the microwave and sold it on Facebook Marketplace.

Got a new fridge and moved the old one to the garage.

Our doodle trying to figure out when dinner will be served!

When we renovated our kitchen a couple of years ago, we didn’t want our old appliances and countertops to go to waste. A quick Marketplace listing connected us with a family just 45 minutes away who picked them up and put them to use. A win for them, a win for us — and a win for the planet.

Now that our kids are grown and flown, we’re downsizing again — and turning to Marketplace more than ever.

Here are a few lessons we’ve learned that might help you, too:

✅ 1. Protect your info

When someone asks for your email or phone number, don’t share it. This is a common scam tactic to grab personal data or financial info. Stick to Facebook’s in-app messenger to keep things secure.

✅ 2. Be clear about payment

We only accept cash, Venmo, or Zelle — no wire transfers, no personal checks. This keeps things simple and safe.

✅ 3. Expect bots and canned replies

You’ll get plenty of “Is this still available?” messages — often from bots or people who didn’t even read the listing. It’s annoying, but it’s just part of the process. Be patient and weed through to find serious buyers.

✅ 4. Set your boundaries

Some buyers don’t read the details. We once had someone from La Plata, Maryland, ask if we’d deliver a large piece of furniture halfway to Alexandria — no thank you! Local pickup means local pickup. Stick to it.

✅ 5. Don’t stress over rude buyers

Sometimes people get upset if they miss out and send you multiple annoyed messages. My advice? Ignore them. Move on to the next buyer who’s excited to get a good deal!

Bottom line:

Facebook Marketplace is a great way to clear out your home, earn a little extra, and help keep usable items out of the landfill. With clear rules and a bit of patience, it’s a win all around.

Thinking about downsizing for good?

I help homeowners in Leesburg, VA and surrounding areas navigate every step of the process — from pricing your home right to staging, selling, and pointing you to smart ways to sell the things you don’t want to bring along.

✨ Curious what your next move could look like? Reach out here or email me at chrissie.goodrum@huntcountrysir.com — I’m always ready to help you make your next chapter smooth, rewarding, and worry-free.

📞 Call or text me at 571-275-5556 💬 Or connect with me on Facebook messenger at: https://www.facebook.com/chrissierealestate/

Happy selling — and happy downsizing!