We all have stuff we no longer want or need. And often our buyer and sellers clients do as well. Getting ready to sell, or move, frequently means garage sales and packing away stuff we don't need but keep moving anyway. 

If you "got junk," here are some ways to get rid of it. 

1-800-GOT-JUNK - a terrific service for hauling away your unwanted stuff, especially if it is the sort of thing you cannot recycle in your town or take to the dump. They charge a fee depending on volume, you pay and they load and haul it away. On-line booking with locations around the country.

1-888-PAC-JUNK - Green Junk Machine claims to be San Diego's leading green junk removal service. They work just like 1-800-GotJunk but with a focus on recycling as much as possible (60% of the items are recycled or donated). On-line booking. 

RECYCLING - you should be doing as much of this as possible. Many communities offer recycling services (Carlsbad, for example), often curbside. There are often special services for recycling e-waste as well.

READ MORE: Carlsbad Homeowners: Are You Recycling?  

FREECYCLE  - another great way to get rid of stuff is through Freecycle. This grassroots organization of almost 4700 groups and 6 million+ members around the globe focuses on getting rid of unwanted stuff by donating it to folks who want it FOR FREE. You cannot sell your stuff but must donate it through the email listing to all members of the group in your community. Members receive a list of the stuff people want to get rid of and then can make their own arrangements with the owners. And of course you can post things, too. I'm a member of the Carlsbad Freecycle group. 

AMVETS, BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, SALVATION ARMY, BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER, GOODWILL and other organizations are places to donate. Not all organizations will do pick up and many are getting increasingly picky abut what they will and will not take. 

If you are remodeling and need to get rid of counters, cabinets, windows and a host of other building materials, consider donating to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores. The ReStores stock new and recycled building materials for the general public at incredible prices. But then will also provide and estimate and then do the demolition for you if you are donating materials to the store. Not only do you get rid of these materials but you don't have to pay your contractor to demolish and cart off to the dump. 

And if all this doesn't work, you can still have that garage sale. And isn't it better to donate and recycle then throw things in the dump?

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

All content copyright © 2008 Jeff Dowler Carlsbad Homes and Real Estate Tidbits