Maximizing Profits by Selling Left Behind Items/items to be upgraded

[Jon Behlke]

I am guessing that the big timers on this site don't do this, (I could be wrong) but as we're just starting our first flip experience, I have stumbled upon some items that made me wonder if other flippers/rehabbers have experience with selling off the saleable items left behind by the seller.  Here's our story:

When walking through the house when we were deciding to buy, we noticed a large wood-burner in the living room.  As it is an encumbrance to the living space and there are other heat sources in the home, we've decided that we are going to remove and sell the wood stove.  After a bit of research, we found that we can get about $500 for it.

Additionally, this home has two different attics, a shed, and an outbuilding.  Between all these locations, we have found about another $1,000 to $1,500 in antiques and building materials that would be good in lower end rentals.

Basically, with a little legwork, we should have no problem recouping about 8% to 10% of the purchase price of the home just by reselling the items contained within.

Does anyone else regularly deploy this idea?

[J Scott]

I arbitrarily set the value of my time to $500/hour.  So, if I can generate at least $500/hour by selling off stuff (or doing whatever else), I'll consider doing it.  Have a $1000 item that you can in less than 2 hours...I'll do it.  Have a $250 item that I can sell in less than 30 minutes...I'll do it.

Again, just arbitrary for me, but that's my method of determining whether or not it's worth it.

When I don't have the time/inclination to sell something, I'm happy to give stuff away to someone who will recycle or save me the cost of having to haul something off.