The holidays are right around the corner and what better reason to clear out your clutter and make some extra cash than a garage sale? Here are a few tips that Seven Gables Real Estate has put together to help make sure you are prepared, get the best turnout possible and avoid any garage sale nightmares. Let us know how your garage sale went. We’d love to hear from you!
- Purge, purge, purge. Go through your house and garage with a real commitment to get rid of stuff. Remember: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
- Think beyond your cast-offs. Crafts do surprisingly well at garage sales, which also serve as a great place to test the market for a new range of homemade items.
- Display your items well. Consider putting up a clothesline or other rack for clothing. Have electrical cords or outlets available to prove that small appliances are operable.
- Have tables available to display small items like plates and cups (and make sure you mark any display pieces “not for sale”)
- Make sure you mark prices on everything clearly.
- Price items right, but welcome haggling and have fun with it! Build in a margin and remember not to be stingy.
- Get your till in order and keep it in a safe place with someone watching it constantly. Make sure you have adequate change on hand. There’s nothing worse than losing a sale because you couldn’t change a fifty quickly.
- Make sure visitors have easy access to what you are selling. Clear the clutter and keep pets out of the way. So prospective buyers won’t be limited or intimidated. Tidy the yard.
- Make sure at least two of you are on hand in the garage to avoid lines forming at the “check-out.” The worst thing from a buyer’s perspective is to make an impulse purchase, only to have to wait to pay for it.
- Play music – not ‘in your face’ stuff. Maybe some light jazz or other inviting sounds.
- Keep shopping bags and newspapers for the month leading up to the sale, so you’ll be set to package purchases.
- Get the kids involved. Have them make lemonade and sell it at the curb or street corner.
- Maximize parking. Park all your cars on the street, which gives the impression that a crowd has gathered, and create anticipation.
- Keep a pitcher of water and some paper cups handy for both you and anyone who looks dehydrated. They may return the favor by buying something!
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