Your Guide to Garage Sales
You’ve cleaned the house. You’ve sorted the items into piles. The weather forecast for next Saturday is sunny and 75 degrees. You want to teach your kids how to count change. The perfect solution? A garage sale.
Springtime is great for clearing out and starting fresh. We hear about the importance of checking our vents, cleaning our windows, and (finally) getting around to scrubbing the grout. But what about the clutter that accumulates in our homes? The things, the stuff, the items that pile up in the back closet or basement storage room. They need the opportunity to find a new home. Garage sales offer an effective way of de-cluttering while being a good neighbor and leaving you with less junk.
Garage sales can be an annual event for your family, and/or some neighborhood associations will host "Garage Sale Weekends” where all neighbors can join in the effort together. If your neighborhood doesn’t host a special designated weekend, grab a few friends and bring all your things together for a robust sale. It’s a great way to meet neighbors, reset your space, and hey - maybe make some cash!
Here are five ways to host a successful garage sale this spring:
Gather and sort your items
This means grouping clothes together, home furnishings, toys, and knick-knacks together. You want it to be easy for the buyer to see the items separately. Choose how you want to group them - either setting up tables, hanging them on a rack, or nicely folding them in a box. Remember that presentation matters and people are more likely to buy if the setup looks appealing.
Choose your pricing strategy
With pricing stickers in hand (the easiest way to label) choose how you’ll want to price your items. Garage sales are normally a cost-friendly option for people to shop, so keep that in mind. Stay realistic and remember that you’ll get rid of more items if you offer great deals. Consider bundling similar-type items (3 for $5 Lego sets) or “all t-shirts are $7”. Choose how you’ll haggle, if at all, and confidently choose and stick with your strategy.
Have extra people and cash on hand
Even though hosting a garage sale can seem like a chore to some, try and make it a fun and interactive activity for the whole family. Give your children their own table to sell from, teaching them how to count back change. Set out folding chairs and grab coffee for the crew, because the more hands you have on deck, the more efficient and effective your garage sale will become. And don’t forget to have a variety of cash and change on hand! Decide if you’d like to have Venmo as a payment option as well.
Figure out what to do with the items that DON’T sell
Will you offer a “last hour-free” option where anyone can grab anything at no cost? Or would you rather load things up in your car to take to donate? Whatever you choose to do, try not to bring those items back into your home!
Be safe, dress warm, and celebrate your profits!
For decades, garage sales have been a tradition of family fun and neighborhood comradery. However, keep in mind that you really are letting strangers into your space. Make sure to keep doors locked and don’t offer your bathroom to customers. Make sure to dress for the part with comfortable shoes for standing and walking. Turn on some great music, share a friendly smile, and after your day is done - go enjoy those profits!
Maybe you’re looking to sell your home this spring and a garage sale is the perfect way you can get rid of all the items that won’t fit in your next home. If you’re curious about the home buying or selling process, I’m always here to help! Contact me at smpavelrealtor@betteromaha.com or 402.830.2879. And hey - I love to shop for good deals, so let me know when you’re planning on having your sale!
-Sarah Maier, Omaha Realtor
