Many of us have a bad habit of hoarding items in the our attics and basements, and as the years pass by, we often forget about them.
When we do eventually get around to sorting through them, we end up throwing out a good portion of the loot. But did you ever stop to think that you may be getting rid of items that could've been worth a lot money?
There are a lot of valuable items hiding among the junk. You just need to put in a little bit of effort to sort the treasure from the trash so you can rake in some extra cash.
Here are 10 items you probably have in your attic that are worth a lot more than you think:
1. Vinyl Records
One of the easiest ways to make some extra cash is by dusting off your old record collection and putting some of them up for sale. "Items that were cherished by the demographic which grew up in the '60s and '70s is at its peak currently, with items like Pyrex, rock LPs, modern furniture, toys, etc."”all of which are in high demand," John Neiheisel, Art & Antique Specialist told CountryLiving.com.
Certain records by artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Prince can make you $5,000-$45,000 richer.
2. Luggage Sets
You probably have a hand-me-down luggage set covered in cobwebs in your attic, but did you know that your vintage trunks may be really valuable? Designer luggage sets like the Louis Vuitton trunks pictured above are worth big bucks, but don't worry, you can still rake in a lot of money by selling your non-designer luggage set.
3. Ball Mason Jars
Nowadays, mason jars are used for a variety of purposes, from serving drinks to overnight oats, but back in the refrigerator-free days, these glass jars were a household staple mainly used to store and preserve food. If you can get your hands on an original canning jar from the 1840s to 1920s, you could make up to $1,000. Keep an eye out for the rare upside-down Ball Mason Jar. They were only issued between 1900 and 1910, and have a higher price point.
4. Rocking Chairs
Don't take grandpa or grandma's rocking chair for granted. As long as the chair is in good condition and has markers that can be used to easily identify the craftsman and date, then you can sell it for some extra cash. An antique Mission Oak Sewing Rocking Chair by Gustav Stickley is currently going for $850 on eBay.
5. Dollhouses
Of course not all dollhouses are created the same, which means, there are some that are much more valuable than the rest. Vintage dollhouses built by well-known toy companies, like Hobbies of Dereham, can fetch upwards of $2,000.
6. Milk Glass Banana Stand
People back in the day had a storage solution for everything, and bananas were no exception. The lace-edged vintage milk glass banana stand may have lost its purpose over time, but its value increased. Stands dating back to the early 1900s can sell for up to $100.
7. Soda Crates
Soft drinks were not manufactured in large quantities like they are today. Back in the early 1900s, local drugstores mixed and bottled small quantities of sodas, which would then be placed in special wooden crates for delivery. Depending on how old the crate is, it could sell for upwards of $100. A Vintage Coca-Cola box from Nashville is currently listed on eBay for $120.
8. Milk Glass Easter Eggs
These ornate and delicate glass eggs date back to the Victorian era, but they're still cherished by many. Even if the inscriptions and paintings on the surface have faded, these seasonal sentimental eggs are still worth a pretty penny. Heritage auctions has recently put up a set for sale and they've priced it at $775.
9. Typewriters
Decades before computers and mobile devices became the norm, typewriters were all the rage. If you have one lying around, check the serial number to determine its manufacture date, then hop online or visit an appraiser to find out its worth.
A Royal portable faux wood typewriter dating back to 1929-1930 is currently listed for $405.
10. Sports collectibles
Items like game programs, especially involving Ivy league schools, can sell for a lot of cash. According to Country Living, items from early Harvard vs. Yale games are worth around $700 depending on their condition. Keep an eye out for collectibles dated between 1897 and 1909.
Do you have any of these items in your attic? Let us know.