Setting up a garage sale is a great way to get rid of clutter and make some extra money, but you need to plan ahead. No one wants to drag all of their possessions out into the yard only to sit out in the sun for hours without making any money. Here are a handful of tips and tricks that you can use to make sure that your next yard sale goes off without a hitch.
Double-Check Local Laws
In some areas, homeowners must get permits for their garage sales. There might also be strict rules regarding where you can advertise and what types of items you can sell. If you want to avoid hefty fines, then you should spend a few minutes double-checking all local laws and regulations.
Organize Sale Items in Advance
Trying to collect and organize all of your possessions a day or two before your yard sale is going to be hectic and stressful. A few weeks before your yard sale, you should organize and clean all of the items that you plan on selling. When the day finally arrives, you will be able to set up your yard in just a few minutes.
Advertise in Multiple Places
There are a few different ways to advertise a yard sale, and you might want to use multiple tools. The most common way to advertise a yard sale is to put out homemade signs the day before the event. Those signs should be bright, easy to read, and placed on busy streets. You can also advertise your yard sale through your social media accounts and on online classified sites.
Price to Sell
One of the most common mistakes that families make when planning yard sales is overpricing their items. Just because you are emotionally attached to an item doesn’t mean that a stranger is going to pay extra for it. You also need to clearly label the prices on every item in order to streamline each sale.
Keep an Eye on Expensive Belongings
It is an unfortunate fact that some people go to yard sales in order to steal expensive possessions. The best way to prevent theft is to keep all of your high-quality items near your home or inside your garage. If multiple family members are going to be at the yard sale, then you might want to have one of them set next to the expensive items at all times.
On the day of your yard sale, you should try to set up as early as possible in order to get plenty of traffic. Many people like to shop first thing in the morning, and you might lose those customers if your possessions aren’t organized, clearly labeled, and ready to be sold.
