It's garage sale season in Toledo, Ohio and around the country. If you are currently thinking about selling your home or have your house for sale it is always a good idea to step back and take a look at your home through a prospective buyer's eyes. With that in mind, think about all the "stuff" that we all seem to collect and hang onto over the years. Sellers this is a great way to de-clutter, de-stress and make your next move easier. I am no exception and hoping to follow my own advice here.
A great way to reduce the amount of clutter around your home and make a little extra cash is a garage sale. In sorting through your belongings, ask yourself...
#1 Will I need this at my next home
#2 Have I used this item in the past year
#3 Does this item truly have any valuable life or is it trash. (I know it is said "one man's trash is another man's treasure" but let's be realistic
I know I am one to hang on to that 3 foot piece of rope, "just because" it might come in handy or perhaps that one side of a swinging door could be used for a craft project. Get real Connie...it's junk!
Here are some tips I have found to be useful in having a profitable, fun and stress free garage sale.
* Get friends and family involved. We all have some "treasures" to get rid of and a large selection of items makes for a better sale. Besides sharing time with friends and family can add to the fun. Better yet organize a neighborhood sale and share the advertising expense.
* Advertise your sale in the local newspaper, cable ads, facebook a message to your friends. Be sure to include the address, the time and the dates of your sale.
* Place easy to read while driving directional signs
* Put price tags on everything, be flexible on your price. Folks are looking for a deal. Keep in mind that if it made it to the garage sale it is NOT going back in the house. I have found a color coding chart to work very well. I purchase little color dot stickers and make a chart to coincide with the price on the majority of the items.
* Include any instruction booklets you may have for tools or electronics. (freeing up more space in your home *wink)
* Have an alternate plan incase the weather doesn't cooperate
* Kids love to be included in the garage sale, perhaps set up a kool-aid stand for them to operate. Keeps them busy and entertained while learning a lesson about work and money.
* Be sure to have an ample supply of change on hand.
A garage sale can also be a marketing tool if your house is already for sale. Remember to keep the house "showing" ready just incase one of your "shoppers" may want to take a peak. Doesn't hurt to have your Realtor on hand to answer any questions...it could be like a 2 for 1...garage sale...open house.
Wishing you a successful and profitable garage sale and a less cluttered life.
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