Special offer

Paying for Junk Hauling? STOP! Free on Craigslist!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Northern Virginia Homes - FRANKLY REAL ESTATE Inc

So you have a client with a house full of JUNK?

You've considered calling one of those 1-800-PAY-US-TO-HAUL-YOUR-JUNK  places?

No need! Try this...

My mother is selling her 25 year rental. The garage was FULL of crap. A pack rat to say the least.

Instead of calling a hauling place, I took at hour to drag it all into the driveway. Then I took detailed photos of each item. Using PicasaWeb, I was able to make an online photo album in minutes. (see my album, I removed things as they were taken)

Then I went to Craigslist and posted in their FREE section: > 50 FREE Items Including Old TV, Carpet, Bikes, LawnMowers.

1) The body of the email listed all the images (good for people searching for particular items).

2) Then I told people to email me for an address and to tell me what they wanted. This way I could guage what was already taken. Also I didn't like putting my address online. 

3) I said everything was 1st come, 1st serve. No need to knock, all I asked is that they email me what they took and what was left. I was 10 miles away and couldn't tell what was available for others that emailed me)

The results were amazing. 20 emails and 80% of the garbage is gone in 3 hours!  
Here is one happy camper:

Written by Frank Borges LL0SA- Broker FranklyRealty.com

Comments (39)

Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains
Frank, you are one smart guy!  I just ran across you on GAR group where you had written that you were going to have bloggin on your Realtor tag!  I thought that was too cool and then I noticed the name of your company - Frankly Realty - another smart idea and now a way to get rid of junk that is almost hassle free.  What a sharp cookie you are!
Dec 23, 2007 10:21 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Thanks for the heads up about Craigslist.  I had no idea that you could post for Free on there.  I, too, use Freecycle but it does have it drawbacks although we got rid of some big items that would have been a disaster to try to unload otherwise...a quick post to find a taker, they come with their truck, load it and haul it away!  Gotta love it!

 

Dec 23, 2007 12:40 PM
Dan Weis
Comey & Shepherd Realtors - Cincinnati, OH
Cincy Real Estate Advisor
Frank, what a great idea.  Our sellers could easily do something like this and I love the donation idea!
Dec 24, 2007 03:25 AM
Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH
I had a steal post I dug out of my lawn and wondered what to do with it.  I put it on craigs list and within 20 minutes, somebody was there to hall it away.  I told them where it was at, no need to meet, just take it away. 
Dec 24, 2007 04:03 AM
Susan Peters
Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA
The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Frank,

I wish I had read this last month when our tenant died in our rental house and left the contents of a restaurant in the garage. Thanks for the tip!

Dec 26, 2007 06:09 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices
I must tell you, this is cool, both the idea and the execution. So cool and efficient
Dec 26, 2007 06:20 PM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Frank, this is amazing information. I have a tenant that is a really, really bad "hoarder". I have been worried about what I would do with all of his "junk" if he doesn't get rid of it. I know where to start. This was a great idea.


Jan 05, 2008 08:30 AM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)
Thanks for the tip...I'm just learning away her on the rain.  Liz
Feb 04, 2008 11:58 AM
x x
x - Hempstead, NY
Excellent post.  I can't believe everything was given away in 3 Hours.  Simply amazing. 
Feb 28, 2008 01:46 PM
Anthony Saunchez
Campa Properties - San Bernardino, CA
How can we be of service
I am just MADD right now!!!!!MADD THAT I DIDN'T THINK OF IT FIRST  (-: 
Feb 29, 2008 10:22 AM
Max Douge
Exit Realty Enterprises - Frederick, MD
Frank... I invite you to participate in a group called Marketing Using Craigslist.  This post is a great example of how beneficial Craigslist can be. 
Mar 04, 2008 02:20 AM
Heather Chotard
In Style - Edmonton, AB

I am a true believer in Garage Sales ( cant wait to have one this year!)

3 hours is crazy! Quick way to get rid of everything!

Heather

Mar 04, 2008 02:49 AM
Karisma Olson
Reece & Nichols - Kansas City, MO

What an amazing post!  Thanks for sharing- I can't wait to spread the word. 

And thank you Max Douge for inviting me to check out this group!  I had posted inquiring about marketing on CL without even knowing this group exsisted until he introduced me.  As a newbie, I'm learning a lot but so far, CL has already been the hottest payback! 

Mar 10, 2008 03:35 PM
Tara Colquitt
Tara Colquitt, The Credit Woman, LLC - Philadelphia, PA
Credit Counselor
As the British would say, 'Brilliant!'
Apr 06, 2008 02:09 PM
Michael Wayne Jackson
Coldwell Banker - Novato, CA
Broker - Seniors Real Estate Specialist Novato

Another great idea Frank. This is so true. I posted a few things for free an they were gone extremely fast.

Nov 18, 2008 09:33 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

We had no issues getting rid of a fridge and an old Jeep hardtop...  Gone in minutes after posting on CL. 

Nov 22, 2008 06:46 AM
Tanya Venable
Orlando, FL
SEO, Mobile SEO, and Internet Marketing Consultant

Frank, that is a great idea and very cost effective too.

Nov 23, 2008 04:36 PM
Greg Wilson
1st Cornerstone Realty - Schaumburg, IL

Its amazing how you can get rid of pratically anything by using Craigs List.  My new home buyers found a good painter from there.

Dec 02, 2008 12:18 AM
Andrew Monaghan
The Monaghan Group - Glendale, AZ
CRS, GRI, EPro Associate Broker

a great example of "one mans junk is anothers treasure"

Great idea

Jan 01, 2009 03:21 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

This sounds like an excellent plan -- way better than taking it to the good will , or dump or paying for someone to come take it.

Feb 04, 2009 01:00 PM