But, most of us will have to move at least once in our lives if not more. So, the more you can do to minimize stress and lighten the workload to help you stay as stress-free as possible, the better.
One of the great ways to make the experience go more smoothly is to reduce the amount of stuff you have to pack and take with you. Starting early in the process, begin decluttering your home and get rid of all the things you no longer want or need. If you’re mindful of this process, you’ll be surprised by how little you have to pack and move.
Once you’ve decided what you no longer need, the next step is to get rid of it, and you can do that in one of several ways, including having a garage sale.
If you’ve already decluttered your home, and have a bunch of stuff you want to get rid of, here are some tips on how to have a successful garage sale that can lighten your load and put some cash in your pocket that will help you when you move.
Sort & Organize
Go through all of your belongings and set aside those items that you want to sell. Start doing this at least a week before the garage sale, so you have everything sorted and organized so that you’re ready for when the big day comes.
Be tough on yourself when choosing things to sell. If it’s something you’ve not used in months or years, then get rid of it. Go through each room of your home and put your unwanted items into boxes so they’ll be ready for the sale.
And, consider organizing your things according to types, such as toys, clothes, and appliances. This will make it easier for your buyers who are looking for a particular item instead of having to rummage through everything.
Do it at the Right Time
Almost everyone holds their garage sales on the weekends because that’s when people are off work and looking for something to do. And when it comes to weekends, experts say that Saturday is the best day because Sundays are generally reserved for church and family functions. So, if you’re going to hold a garage sale on the weekend, definitely schedule it on a Saturday.
Now:
Keep in mind that everyone else has their garage sales on the weekends too, which means you’re probably going to have a lot of competition. Because of this, you might consider having a garage sale in the middle of the week, say on Wednesday. You may just be able to catch the eye of people during their daily commute who will stop by hoping to get a bargain.
Now that you know what day to hold your garage sale, what time of year is the best?
Well, if you can arrange it, try to have your garage sale in either the spring or summer when the weather is nice. Spring is particularly lovely because people have been cooped up all winter and are dying to get out and hunt down some bargains.
If you’re aiming for summer, check the weather forecast and try to pick a day when it’s not going to be too hot because people won’t be in the mood to browse for long when the sun is beating down.
Also, speaking of time, consider starting your garage sale early in the morning because that’s when the bargain hunters are out and hoping to beat the competition.
Team Up
Another great way to have a successful garage sale is to team up with your neighbors and host a neighborhood garage sale. These garage sales attract large numbers of people because they view it as a mini flea market with more chances to find some great deals.
Another advantage of teaming up is that some of your neighbors might be your best customers.
Know the Rules
Be sure to check with your city or municipality and find out if there are any rules or regulations they have regarding garage sales. Sometimes a permit is required, and the city might have rules on stapling or nailing signs to utility poles. The last thing you want is to lose all of your profits to a fine because you didn’t know the rules.
Advertise
Speaking of putting up signs, to have a successful garage sale, you will have to advertise it. One of the most popular ways to promote a garage sale is to put it in your local paper’s classified section and on Craigslist. The newspaper is great for attracting your older buyers, and Craigslist is great for getting the under-30 crowd.
Another favorite technique is to put up flyers around town. The key is to make these flyers simple and attractive so they get noticed. Just put the basics, such as the date, time, and address. Use large lettering and use brightly colored paper or poster board to draw attention.
Also, when you put up your signs and flyers, make sure you put them in high-traffic areas, such as the local supermarket and at intersections.
And, when you advertise, make sure you do it well in advance of the date of the sale so that people have the chance to mark it on their calendar. Many people make the mistake of putting out signs either the day before or the day of the sale.
Garage sales can be fun and profitable. If you plan right and follow these tips, you can declutter your home and make some cash in the process. If all else fails, you could also higher a removal service to take your unwanted items away.
Follow these tips for a successful garage sale that will help when it comes to moving to your new home!
