Homeowners often face problems with the lack of storage space. These issues are common in both old and new homes, so the best thing is to organize the storage space or rent a storage unit for extra items. But even so, our house often gets cluttered with items if we don’t go through an occasional purge.
Things to consider when organizing a yard sale
Getting rid of unnecessary things can be done in multiple ways depending on what you have. So, if you’ve ever wondered how to organize a successful yard sale, here are a few tips that should significantly simplify the process.
Make a plan for the yard sale project
The main secret to the success of any project is making a good plan in advance. Some people are good at improvisation, but developing a strategy is smart, especially in endeavors where money is involved. Therefore, starting to plan at least a couple of weeks before the event is highly advisable.
There are many things to be done, but you should always start by informing yourself about the rules and restrictions for yard sales in your city. Remember to check the permits for putting up yard sale signs, as well.
These things are often overseen when homeowners are trying to get rid of furniture, books, or any other extra stuff from their households. Still, if you don’t follow the rules, you will break the law and possibly even pay a hefty fine. And that is probably not something you want.
Attend other yard sales in the area
Yard sales are a great way to get rid of clutter fast, but it’s not like they happen every day in your neighborhood. However, if you’ve never attended one before, it might be a good idea to see what’s ahead of you.
That way, you will gain some experience and pick up a tip or two regarding pricing and bargaining. Also, you will gain insight into the value of some common items. Sometimes our judgment can be clouded by our memories and sentiments when selling something we once held dear, so it won’t hurt to try and stay realistic.
This is also a good way of finding out if you own any valuables or collector’s items in your pile of things. It would be a real shame to underprice your possessions!
Set a date and advertise in advance
Setting a date for a yard sale is the easy part. The only thing you need to do is to pick a good day, preferably the weekend, and make sure there are no competitions nearby. You need to be aware you’ll be having a hectic day, so reserving a whole day just for the yard sale is imperative.
Still, no matter how well you prepare the things on site, you will waste your day on barely a few customers if you don’t advertise properly. The best ways to let people know you’re throwing a sale is to:
- contact your local newspaper at least one week in advance for an advertisement with the date and location of the sale,
- advertise on social media because many of your neighbors and friends will see it,
- the day before the event, place your yard sale sign on the location.
Get enough tables and supplies
After the date is scheduled, it’s time to get the necessary inventory for making the sale happen. Before you start making further plans, you will have to rent or borrow a few tables. The number of tables will depend on the number of items you plan to sell, but if you underestimate the number of your things, there are ways to improvise the stands by using boxes as the base instead.
Cover your stands with sheets to make things look a bit more professional, and ensure nothing slips off the table. Naturally, the place should look organized with items easily accessible. However, don’t forget you need to feel comfortable too. It’s going to be a busy day, so get some chairs, parasols, and plenty of water and snacks!
Time to do some purging!
Now it’s time to re-evaluate everything lying around in your home, garage, or any other storage space. Occasional purging is necessary to keep your stuff in order, but it can also help you earn some money.
The reasons to try to organize a successful yard sale are many. Still, in most cases, we try to rid of clutter in our homes before or after relocation. By throwing away and selling some stuff, you will earn some money and even save some when hiring a moving service since there will be fewer things to transfer. Organizing a successful yard sale is the best way to have a budget-friendly move.
However, you will need to start preparing everything on time to make the process as affordable as possible. Ask yourself whether you need all of those things, and learn to let some of them go. No one says memories don’t matter, but practicality and functionality should be your top priority.
Start checking for sale items in every room of the household. Pay special attention to areas that accumulate clutter often, like the kitchen, living room, and garage. If there was ever a time for spring cleaning and organizing the space, it’s now.
Classify the items and make an inventory list
After you’ve made piles of things to be sold or thrown away, it’s time to sort through the mess. Start by making an inventory list – this will give you the approximate amount of your earnings. You can never know for sure because, at these events, there is usually a lot of bargaining. Some stuff can be sold for a much lower or higher price. Still, it’s good to know what you’re dealing with.
Writing price tags for all items will make things much more manageable. This way, people won’t ask you about every little thing every second. Keep in mind that some people will want to negotiate, so you should practice your skills a bit.
Get help!
No matter how great your organizing skills are, finding someone to help you with this project will mean a lot, especially on the day of the sale. With many customers (hopefully), you won’t be able to tend to everyone at the same time. In this case, a friend or a family member can save the day. But also, in case you need a break, you will need someone to look after the items. Besides, the entire project will be much more fun if you are not alone.
Things to avoid during a yard sale
Even though you did everything great when preparing for the yard sale, you still need to be careful. There are some mistakes inexperienced sellers make, like keeping the place messy, not watching the money box at all times, and not having enough change.
These little things may seem irrelevant, but a million little things make one big problem, especially if happening simultaneously. Try to relax as much as you can and don’t pressure the potential buyers. Pushy sellers can be a turn-off for people who come to your sale. Knowing how to organize a successful yard sale will ensure you execute this project relatively easily.
Whether you’re trying to organize a home after a move, get rid of the clutter, or simply earn some money, a yard sale is a great way to do it. All you need to do is spend some time preparing and devising efficient strategies to get the best out of the experience.
