When it's time to clear out your house in Cambridge MA an estate sale or garage sale may be just the ticket.
Estate Sales are best when you have a house filled with items to sell. There are several companies close to Cambridge that will run an estate sale for you. Since they're taking a portion of the proceeds and quite a few man hours are entailed, an estate sale is only feasible if you have quite a bit to sell.
The estate sale company will come in, price all of the items for sale, advertise the sale widely, and run the sale - usually on Friday and Saturday. Afterward the company will usually arrange for someone to come and take the items that remain. Voila - an empty house, ready for sale.
Some local estate sale companies include:
- Diana Sherman - 617-527-6307
- Jean Blacker Estate Sales - 617-796-8966
- The Pink Ladies - This is my all time favorite estate sale company. Unfortunately I've fallen off their mailing list. If anybody knows their contact info let me know.
Garage sales are a do-it-yourself endeavor. You get to keep the proceeds but you have to do all the work. If you're up for the hassles - and the fun - garage sales can be a good way to thin out the clutter in your house before selling.
Some tips for making the most of your garage sale:
Advertise widely - the Cambridge Chronicle (I think the ad deadline is Monday at noon), the Boston Globeand Craigslist are all essential.
Price all your items. Items with prices are much more likely to sell. More often than not people won't ask about something if it doesn't have a price. And "tell me what you want to pay for it" is NOT a successful pricing strategy.
You're running a garage sale not a store or antique shop - price accordingly. Your goal is to get rid of stuff not to squeeze every last dollar out of your clutter
Embrace the early birds. Set your alarm clock and get out there early. Best to be set up an hour or two before your advertised time since that's when the first buyers will come by. The early birds have cash and may not be back. You're much better off planning for early birds and making some good sales. And charging early birds extra is obnoxious. Resolve to let go of your frustrations and ring up those sales.
Good signage is key. That doesn't mean an 8.5 by 11" piece of paper - garage sale goers are driving in cars - you need big signs. Buy some fluorescent poster board and a large black marker. "GARAGE SALE NEXT LEFT" is what you want - not a list of items that can only be read from a foot away. Lots of signs are best - plot out the routes cars are driving on the way to your sale and make appropriate directional signs.
Think about display. Even if you're pulling junk from the basement try to ensure that your items are clean or at least wiped down. Organize by type or maybe by price. Find a way to hang items - clothes, pictures, etc.
Be prepared to bargain. That doesn't mean you want to set your prices high - it just means that you should be ready to cut deals and not take offense when people ask. Believe me they'll ask - I swear if you price something at 5 or 10 cents they'll want it for free. Not everybody - but you'll get your share of bargainers. As always - remember your goal - you want to clear out your house and not bring this junk back inside. Bargains bring you closer to your goal and put a smile on the buyer's face.
Have plenty of change. Stock up on singles, fives and coins. Think about how to keep your money. An apron with pockets can be a big help. If you have a money box be sure to keep tabs on it. Somebody will try to buy it if you don't.
Build up a stash of bags, boxes and newspapers in advance of your sale. You'll want to have an abundance of packing materials and containers for people to take away their treasures.
When it's all over get out there and take down all those signs. 'Nough said.
Remember - have fun! Garage sales are a lot of work but they're also great fun. Enjoy yourself - it's an excellent way to meet and greet the neighbors and other people in town who are out on the garage sale trail. And if your house is for sale - pass out flyers!
Estate sales and garage sales are great ways to clear out your Cambridge house to get it ready to sell.
More ideas for clearing out your house can be found here:
Sell Your Stuff to Sell Your House
Appraisers, Auctions, and Antique Dealers
Check back on Thursday to read about how to Sell Your Stuff Online.
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