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. Most 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.
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 cashbox. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your
cash; never leave the cashbox 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!
For your convenience, fill out the form below to contact Bill with your real estate wants and needs.
(Fields marked with * are required.)
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