One of the most important parts of every move is paring down your belongings. While you can throw away unwanted or unused items, it’s far better to sell or donate those items. However, if you’re like most people, the thought of hosting a garage sale in the midst of finding a moving company and packing your belongings can be overwhelming. Believe it or not, hosting a garage sale is easier than you might think. Here are a few tips to help your sale go off without a hitch, even if you have to host it on multiple weekends.
Advertise the Sale
You won’t get much traffic if the only people who know you’re having a garage sale are your immediate neighbors. Once you pick the date for your sale, start advertising. Put posters up around town with the most important information: the date of the sale, the hours you’ll be actively selling items, and the address where the sale will take place. List the sale on Craigslist and create a public event on Facebook, taking the time to invite all of your friends in the area. If you really want to maximize exposure, put an ad in the classifieds section of your local newspaper.
Prepare Ahead of Time
Once you have the date for sale picked out, start preparing your items for the big day. Dust and clean each item, so it looks as appealing as possible. Hang clothes up or neatly fold them to prevent wrinkles—Air out old cushions and blankets to keep them smelling fresh. The nicer the items look, the more likely they are to sell. Remember, the key is making your garage sale look nicer than the local second-hand store.
Arrange Items Appropriately
Since you want your sale to give other garage and yard sales in the area a run for their money, take the time to set up carefully. Arrange items together and display them on tables, so people don’t have to bend or stoop to see what you’re selling. If you don’t have access to folding tables, consider renting a few from a local party supply store.
Price Fairly and Have Cash On Hand
The key to selling your items is to offer them at a fair price. Remember, you won’t get full-price for anything you’re selling, even if it hasn’t been used since you bought it. Instead, ask for 50 percent of the original price on items in new or like-new condition, 30 percent on used items, and 10 percent on heavily used items. Be prepared for people to haggle you down on prices. It’s just a part of the game. Since people will be paying in cash, make sure you have many small bills on hand for a change. This will help keep the sale moving along smoothly.
After your sale, let the experienced movers at Eden’s Moving and Storage Services help you pack and transport your belongings to your new home. Schedule an estimate today and see the difference that care and dedication can simplify your upcoming move.
