When you are preparing to sell you home if your home is listed for sale you may want to consider a garage sale for several reasons.
It is to your benefit to prepare your home to show well. Much of this is reducing the clutter in the home; the clutter we all tend to accumulate over the years. Also, consider that you will be moving and you may want to reduce the amount of possessions you will need to pack and move. If you are considering a garage sale at some point before moving, why not do it early to help prepare your home for showings?
Here are some tips:
1) When using craigslist.org, be sure to list items that you have for sale, at least the types of items, for example, children’s clothes, TV’s , electronics, computers, etc. Be specific with larger/more expensive items. Craigslist browsers like pictures!
2) Be sure to tell where and when, the specific days and hours.
3) Be sure to check with local regulations and HOA rules.
4) Post noticeable directional signs from a main street to your home. Only keep the signs up when you are “open”.
5) Be realistic on prices. Check other yard/garage sales, thrift stores, and online before having your sale. On the other hand, be sure not to sell valuable antiques, jewelry, etc too low.
6) When selling clothes, be sure they are freshly laundered and folded or hung on racks.
7) Coordinate with your neighbors. If you have 3-4 garage sales in your neighborhood, you may be able to attract more buyers.
8) A friendly greeting and conversation tends to make people feel more comfortable to buy.
9) Some garage sale buyers like to drive by slowly to take a look to decide whether or not to stop in. Give them a friendly wave in.
10) Keep your more valuable items close to where you can keep an eye on them. While most people are fairly honest, some are not; keep an eye out.
11) Have ample change available, but keep it secured. Accept cash only. Be attentive when accepting bills and making change.
12) Consider donating leftovers to a local charity.
Some real estate agents will help you with a garage sale. For example, I offer free use of garage sale “arrow” signs and enjoy doing an open house concurrent with a garage sale. Those coming for the open house could buy something at your garage sale and those coming for the garage sale may also be in the home market, or know someone who is.
Good luck!
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