Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter — and earn a little
extra cash — before you sell your home. But make sure the timing is right.
Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use
of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips
for a successful sale.
1. Don’t
wait until the last minute. You don’t want to be scrambling to hold a
garage sale the week before an open house. Depending on how long you’ve lived
in the home and how much stuff you have to sell, planning a garage sale can
demand a lot of time and energy.
2. Get a
permit. Many municipalities will require you to obtain a special permit or
license in order to hold a garage sale. The permits are often free or very
inexpensive, but still require you to register with the city. If you live in a subdivision with a homeowner's association, make sure you know the rules governing garage sales and abide by them.
3. See if
neighbors want to join in. You can turn your garage sale into a
block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up with neighbors. However,
a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it’s a group event.
4. Schedule
the sale. Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic,
especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early, 8 a.m. or 9
a.m. is best, and be prepared for early birds.
5. Advertise. Place an
ad in free classified papers and Web sites, and in your local newspapers.
Include the dates, time, and address. Let the public know if certain types of
items will be sold, such as baby clothes, furniture, or weightlifting
equipment. On the day of the sale, balloons and signs with prominent arrows
will help to grab the attention of passersby.
6. Price your
goods. Lay out everything that you plan to sell, and attach prices with
removable stickers. Remember, garage sales are supposed to be bargains, so try
to be objective as you set prices. Assign simple prices to your goods: 50
cents, 3 for $1, $5, $10, etc.
7. If
it’s really junk, don’t sell it. Decide what’s worth selling and
what’s not. If it’s really garbage, then throw it away. Broken appliances, for
example, should be tossed. (Know where a nearby electrical outlet is, in case a
customer wants to make sure something works.)
8. Check
for mistakes. Make sure that items you want to keep don’t accidentally
end up in the garage sale pile.
9. Create
an organized display. Lay out your items by category, and display neatly
so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.
10. Stock
up on bags and newspapers. People who buy many small items will appreciate
a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile items.
11. Manage
your money. Make a trip to the bank to get ample change for
your cash box. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your cash; never leave
the cash box unattended. It’s smart to have one person who manages the money
throughout the day, keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much. Keep
a calculator nearby.
12. Prepare
for your home sale. Donate
the remaining stuff or sell it to a resale shop. Now that all of your clutter is cleared out, it’s time
to focus on preparing your house for a successful sale!