Ten Items in your Home you Could Sell to Raise Cash

The chances are that there are plenty of items around your home that are rarely used.

These could earn you some valuable income.

Let’s look at what might be gathering dust and what it’s actually worth in 2026.

Antiques and Collectibles

These are the obvious place to start if you need to raise cash. But there are many other more mundane items that you could sell.

Here’s what most people overlook: The everyday electronics and gadgets in your drawers and cupboards can add up to hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds.

Old Smartphones and Tablets

When we upgrade to a new phone, we quickly forget the old one.

Current 2026 values:

• iPhone 12 (64GB): Around £200-£250 depending on condition
• iPhone 11 (64GB): Approximately £150-£180
• Samsung Galaxy S20: Around £120-£150
• Even older models have value: iPhone 8 or Galaxy S9 could still fetch £40-£60

The key is condition. A phone with a cracked screen or poor battery health will fetch significantly less than one in good working order.

Where to sell: Compare prices across recycling platforms like Mazuma Mobile, Music Magpie, and Compare and Recycle.

You’ll be surprised how much the quotes vary, sometimes by £30-£50 for the same phone.

Computers and Laptops

The average household probably has several hundred pounds worth of laptops and computers that could be sold.

If you do most of your browsing on a smartphone, could you manage without that laptop?

2026 resale values:

• MacBook Pro (2020-2022 models): £400-£800 depending on spec
• Windows laptops (good spec, 2-3 years old): £250-£500
• Older desktop PCs: £100-£200 (components often worth more than the whole unit)

Where to sell: CeX offers instant cash (though prices are lower than private sales), while eBay and Facebook Marketplace typically fetch better prices if you’re prepared to wait.

Important: Wipe all personal data before selling. Use the manufacturer’s factory reset process and remove your accounts.

Coffee Machines and Kitchen Gadgets

Gadgets of all sorts can be a good source of ready cash.

Good quality coffee machines can take up a lot of kitchen space and sell well on eBay and similar sites.

What sells well:

• Bean-to-cup coffee machines: £80-£200 (Sage, DeLonghi, Nespresso)
• Stand mixers: £60-£150 (KitchenAid holds value exceptionally well)
• Food processors and blenders: £30-£80 for premium brands

The reality check: Cheap gadgets from supermarkets rarely fetch more than £10-£20. Focus on premium brands with original packaging and accessories.

Power Tools

Power tools have excellent resale values, particularly cordless drill sets, circular saws, and complete tool kits.

What’s worth selling:

• Cordless drill sets (Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee): £60-£150
• Circular saws and mitre saws: £40-£120
• Complete tool kits with case: £80-£200

Where to sell: Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree work well for tools. Buyers often want to see them in person and test them before buying.

Furniture

Individual items may not fetch much unless they are exceptionally desirable. However, if you have a lot of furniture to get rid of, you may be surprised at what you could raise through an auction house.

The honest assessment:

• Solid wood furniture (oak, mahogany, teak): Can fetch £100-£500+ at auction
• Flat-pack furniture (IKEA): Often worth only £10-£30, barely worth the hassle
• Mid-century pieces: Strong market if genuine (£200-£2,000+)
• Sofas and upholstered items: Difficult to sell unless nearly new (buyers worry about wear and hygiene)

Local auction houses typically charge 15-25% commission plus VAT, but they handle collection and sale. For valuable pieces, this is worth the cost.

The effort vs reward factor: Moving furniture is hard work. Unless an item is worth £100+, you might be better off donating it or using a house clearance service if you’re selling the property anyway.

Video Games and Consoles

If you have a fairly recent PlayStation or Xbox it could fetch decent money. A collection of games you don’t play anymore can also raise valuable cash.

2026 console values:

Games: Recent releases in good condition sell for £20-£40 each. Older or common games might only fetch £5-£10.

Where to sell: CeX gives instant prices (check their website), while eBay typically pays 20-30% more if you’re prepared to list items individually and wait for buyers.

Jewellery

Jewellery tends to hold its value if it contains precious stones and metals. If you don’t wear it and it has no great emotional value, then why hang on to it?

What determines value:

• Gold content: Based on current gold price (fluctuates daily)
• Precious stones: Diamonds, sapphires, rubies need professional valuation
• Brand and craftsmanship: Designer pieces (Tiffany, Cartier) command premium
• Condition and style: Fashionable designs sell better than dated pieces

Where to sell: Get multiple valuations: try local jewellers, auction houses, and online gold buyers. The quotes can vary dramatically.

Kids’ Clothes

Young children grow out of clothes before they wear out.

Sites like Vinted, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to exchange good quality children’s clothes for cash.

What sells:

• Designer children’s brands (Joules, Boden, Next): £3-£10 per item
• Baby clothes in excellent condition: £2-£5 per item
• School uniforms: Surprisingly good market (£5-£15 for branded pieces)

The reality: You’ll need to photograph, list, and post each item. Unless you have 20+ quality items to sell, the time investment might not be worth it.

Alternative: Selling bundles (e.g., “Age 3-4 winter clothes bundle, 10 items”) saves time and still raises £20-£40 per bundle.

Children’s Toys

Just like clothes, kids outgrow their toys. If they are in good condition, there is a market for them, so why leave them cluttering the cupboards or garage?

What sells well:

• LEGO sets (complete with box and instructions): Can fetch 50-80% of original price
• Wooden toys and educational toys: £10-£30 for quality brands
• Large toys (play kitchens, ride-ons): £20-£60 if clean and complete
• Baby equipment (high chairs, bouncers, strollers): £20-£80 if in good condition

Safety note: GOV.UK advises not to buy or sell second-hand baby car seats because structural damage from accidents may not be visible, and hidden damage could compromise safety. Always check official product recalls before buying or selling any children’s equipment. And be honest about missing pieces; buyers get frustrated when LEGO sets arrive incomplete.

Sports Equipment

Golf clubs, fishing tackle, cricket kits, bikes, and kayaks are all expensive to buy new. That’s why there’s a thriving second-hand market for good quality equipment in reasonable condition.

What holds value:

• Golf clubs (branded sets): £100-£400 for Callaway, TaylorMade, Ping
• Road bikes and mountain bikes: £150-£800 depending on brand and age
• Fishing tackle (complete setups): £80-£300
• Gym equipment (weights, benches): £50-£200
• Kayaks and paddleboards: £200-£600

Seasonal timing matters: Sell bikes in spring/summer, ski equipment in autumn/winter. You’ll get better prices when demand is high.

How to Sell Safely and Effectively

Here’s what we’ve learned from helping hundreds of homeowners declutter before selling:

Choose the Right Platform for Each Item

• Electronics: Music Magpie, Mazuma, CeX for instant cash; eBay for best price
• Furniture and large items: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree (buyers collect)
• Clothes and accessories: Vinted, Depop, eBay
• Collectibles and antiques: Specialist auction houses or eBay

Avoid Scams

• Never accept cheques from strangers
• Be wary of overpayment scams (“I’ll send £200 extra, refund the difference”)
• PayPal Goods & Services can help on eligible shipped transactions, but does not typically cover in-person collection sales unless you use PayPal’s goods-and-services QR code. Check PayPal’s Buyer Protection terms before assuming you’re protected
• Meet buyers in public places for high-value items

Set Realistic Timelines

• Selling items individually can take several weeks
• If you need cash within days, use instant-buy services (lower prices but guaranteed)
• Car boot sales can shift multiple items in one morning (but expect low prices)

Tax Considerations

Most personal possessions sold at a loss (you paid more than you’re selling for) have no tax implications.

However:

Tax may apply if:

• You sell individual items for more than £6,000 (which may trigger Capital Gains Tax)
• You regularly buy and sell items to make a profit (HMRC may class this as trading income, which is subject to Income Tax, not Capital Gains Tax). However, if your gross trading income is £1,000 or less per tax year, you can use the Trading Allowance: you won’t pay tax and won’t need to tell HMRC

The chattels exemption means most household items sold for under £6,000 are CGT-free. Read HMRC’s guidance on chattels if you’re selling valuable antiques or jewellery.

Sets sold together: If you sell a set of items (e.g., a dining table and 6 chairs) to one person, the £6,000 limit applies to the whole set, not each piece individually.

When Selling Items Isn’t Enough

Selling unwanted items can buy you some breathing space if finances are tight.

But here’s the reality: decluttering might raise £500-£2,000 if you’re disciplined. If your financial situation is really getting out of control (mortgage arrears, repossession risk, or mounting debts), you need a bigger solution.

If Property Stress Is the Issue

Knowing what you could get for your home will help you understand your options.

Property Rescue offers a no-obligation cash offer, typically within hours of your enquiry. Because of our Sale and Rent Back service, we’re one of the only house buying companies in the UK that’s regulated by the FCA.

We’ve completed over 500 property purchases in the last 3 years, with an average completion time of 28 days from offer acceptance. And in 98% of cases, our final offer after valuation is within 95% of our initial offer, so you know where you stand from day one.

Last updated: March 2026. Prices reflect current market values as of publication date and may fluctuate.