What to do with your furniture and appliances before moving out of Colombia

When my flight date was confirmed, the first thing I thought about wasn't the ticket or the insurance. It was the fridge. And the sofa. And the washing machine. And the two tables I bought at the flea market that still feel like works of art to me. Moving out of Colombia —whether permanently or for a few years— involves facing a question no one prepares you to answer: what do I do with all this?

The easy answer is "sell it all." But the reality is more complicated: limited time, unpredictable buyers, furniture that won't fit in any elevator, and the temptation to let everything go for a bargain price the last week. This guide gives you a clear plan to avoid that scenario. If you want to see real options right now, you can view apartments and houses on Colombia Move — posting is completely free.

If you have been in Colombia for months and have a furnished apartment —or simply a lot of accumulated stuff— this is what works.

First things first: the realistic inventory

Before posting a single ad, sit down with your phone and take a complete tour of the apartment. Write everything down: not just the large furniture, but also small appliances, plants, bicycles, dishware, everything. Mentally separate them into three categories: what is worth selling, what is best to give away, and what should simply be discarded.

What sells best in Colombia is what has the highest replacement cost: refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, sofas, beds with mattresses, desks, and bicycles. What sells the least —and is better to give away— is used clothing, generic dishware, and old mattresses without the bed frame included. Being honest with yourself from the start saves you weeks of ads without responses.

How to price items without falling short or scaring off buyers

The most common mistake when an expat sells in Colombia is using "catalog" prices. The second-hand market here values practicality more than brand. A reasonable guide for appliances in good condition: with 1-2 years of use, ask for between 50% and 60% of the original price. With 3-4 years, between 35% and 45%. With 5 or more years, no more than 30%, unless it is a brand with sustained demand.

To give you concrete figures: a 400-liter Mabe fridge in good condition can go for between $800,000 and $1,200,000. An 18kg washing machine with less than three years of use, between $700,000 and $1,000,000. A 55" Samsung TV that is three years old, between $600,000 and $900,000. For furniture, the margin is tighter because they are difficult to transport —a three-seater sofa that you bought for $1,500,000 might go for $500,000-$700,000 if the buyer has a way to pick it up.

Pro tip: before setting your price, search on Colombia Move or Facebook groups for the same model you have and see how much others are selling them for. Don't set yours more expensive —price it the same or 5% cheaper to stand out without giving it away.

The bundle strategy: sell more in less time

Here is something that works much better than it seems: selling in bundles. Instead of posting the sofa alone, the table alone, and the chairs alone, group them into a "complete living room" ad. You save the buyer the work of looking for each piece separately, and you close the sale all at once with less negotiation.

Some bundles that work well: complete living room (sofa + coffee table + shelves), complete dining room (table + chairs + sideboard), or kitchen bundle (fridge + stove + microwave). The total bundle price should be a bit cheaper than selling the pieces individually —a 10-15% discount is sufficient. The convenience for the buyer justifies that sacrifice, and you move everything in fewer meetings.

Note: don't make bundles mandatory if individual items are in high demand separately. Fridges and washing machines almost always sell better alone than in a combo because buyers usually already have the other appliance.

Photos do half the work

The difference between an ad that receives messages on the first day and one that has gone weeks without any is almost always in the photos. For furniture: photo from the front, from the side, and a close-up of any visible wear or defects. Including the defects prevents the buyer from arriving and feeling deceived. For appliances: photo of the exterior, photo of the screen or controls turned on, and if there is a visible model number, include that too. Use natural light whenever possible, with no clothes or boxes in the frame.

Where to post to sell before the move

There are three channels that really work in Colombia and it is convenient to use all three in parallel:

Colombia Move Marketplace is ideal for appliances and furniture because the ads are indexed on Google. That means your fridge can appear when someone searches "used fridge Medellin" right now. No commission, direct contact via WhatsApp, and the possibility of building a seller profile with all your active listings in one place.

Facebook groups by city —"Buy and sell Medellin", "Used stuff Bogota"— have a lot of traffic but also a lot of noise. Expect 60% of those who inquire not to show up. It's frustrating, but it's part of the game. On the other hand, the building or complex WhatsApp group is underrated: if you live in a multi-family property, a photo in the residents' group can generate a sale in hours without anyone having to transport the furniture far.

Timing is everything

This point saves or destroys the process. If you start selling a week before the flight, you are going to sell cheap or end up leaving everything behind. The rule is to start with large furniture 6-8 weeks before the moving date. At 4-5 weeks, medium appliances and office furniture. At 2-3 weeks, small items, bicycles, and plants. The last week: lower the price of whatever remains by 30% or give it away directly.

The most common mistake I see: wanting to sell everything in the last two weeks. Second-hand buyers in Colombia know when someone is against the clock. And they offer you half. Starting early is the difference between selling well and having a fire sale.

If not everything sells — what to do with the rest

Not everything selling isn't a failure. The important thing is not to leave the apartment with items the landlord has to manage. Compensation funds—Comfama, Compensar, Cafam—accept donations of functional clothing, furniture, and appliances. There are also foundations in Medellín, Bogotá, and Cali that accept appliances in good condition; a quick search for "donation furniture foundation [city]" gives concrete results.

Another option: post the leftover items as "free, you pick up" on the marketplace. What you thought no one wanted will disappear in hours. And for buyers who ask via WhatsApp but take a while to confirm, there are templates that save a lot of time:

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How far in advance should I start selling my things before moving?

Ideally, you should start 6-8 weeks before your moving date for furniture and large appliances. That way, you have time to wait for a fair price without the pressure of the flight looming over you. If you have less time, create bundles and lower the price from the start to close the sale faster.

❓ Which appliances sell fastest in Colombia?

Refrigerators and washing machines are in highest demand—they almost always sell in less than two weeks if the price is fair. Televisions also go quickly. Air conditioners are in demand but it's more specific because it depends on the type of installation. Microwaves and blenders are in demand, but their resale value is low.

❓ Is it better to sell piece by piece or in bundles?

It depends on how much time you have. If you have 6 or more weeks, sell piece by piece to maximize your total income. If you have less than four weeks, create bundles—you'll close sales faster even if you make a little less per item.

❓ How do I know if the price I'm asking is reasonable?

Search Colombia Move and Facebook groups for the same model and check the active prices. If similar items have been posted for weeks without selling, the price is too high. Being 5-10% below the active average is usually enough to stand out and close a sale faster.

❓ What do I do with very large furniture that no one wants to pick up?

Be explicit in the ad: "buyer picks up." If there is an elevator available, mention it—it makes a difference. If there is no elevator, lower the price by an additional 20% to compensate for the logistical difficulty. As a last resort, compensation funds or some foundations will come to pick things up if you contact them far enough in advance.

Do you have questions about selling your things before an international move? Stop by colombiamove.com/comunidad — the community can guide you with specific recommendations for your city and type of item.