how to organize a neighborhood yard sale
Price everything. My neighborhood has hosted annual garage sales for years thanks to my friend, Jackie. Do's and Don'ts of Advertising a Yard Sale, 12 Garage Sale Tips That Will Make You Money, The Dos and Don'ts of Garage Sale Pricing, 5 Best Ways to Find Yard Sales in Your Area, Online Garage Sale Abbreviations, Terms, and Acronyms, Sell Your Unwanted Stuff for the Most Cash, Pricing Garage Sale Items for Maximum Profit, The Best Online Consignment Stores of 2021. Advise the neighborhood to start marking their items with prices at least two nights before the scheduled garage sale. If you’re having it outside, have everything ready and get up early. You put lots of work into sorting, labeling, and organizing for the sale. Time it right. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. You might forget once you're busy prepping for the sale. Understanding this will help you get traffic to your sale so people will snap up your unwanted items. Just say no to clutter on your patio! Set a date for your garage sale. If you can't find any you can make your own with cardboard, a stick, and duct tape. Be sure, however, to avoid holidays and holiday weekends. Place the fliers at the grocery store, local restaurant, school, office . Visit this comprehensive guide on yard sales and moving sales for detailed information on every aspect of the sales including taking an inventory of items, pricing sale items, promoting the moving sale and staging on the day of the sale. If you have recently jumped on the KonMari bandwagon, a garage sale is a great way to make a little money.. It doesn't seem to matter as much in larger cities. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. If you’re not too thrilled about the idea of strangers stopping by your front yard (or if you want to split some of the workload), team up with another family on your block or check with your neighborhood association to see if a community sale is coming up. Present an array of goods. Make sure you have plenty of one dollar bills, at least one roll of quarters, and a handful each of dimes and nickels to start. But when it comes to a yard sale – you will have to do everything on your own. As you know, I have been in FULL on yard sale mode this week prepping for our neighborhood yard sale. I developed a plan to get the neighbors on board. Here are Ava's 10 tips for a successful yard sale: Offer at least 100 items or more for sale. If you are allowed to place a Yard Sale sign in your neighborhood, the only things you will need are a brightly colored poster board and a Sharpie. When you've collected enough, it's sale time. . In those 7 years we have moved and had two children. The apron is best. Other than folding tables, don’t display merchandise on anything you don’t want to sell. As long as you're taking time out of your life to sell your used furniture, nearly new kitchen appliances, and sports equipment, why not try to get as much as you can for those items? The easier it is for your customers to shop, the more you will sell -- and the classier your wares look, the more you can charge. Place them at the main intersections near your neighborhood, and at all the turns leading to your house. If your HOA, neighborhood, or town has a Facebook page, list your sale there too. Some people make "yard sale-ing" the main activity of their Saturday morning. See more ideas about yard sale, yard, garage sale tips. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to make sure your community garage sale is a success: Gauge interest. To get ready for the big sale, you need to put a few smart systems in place. Provide a way to carry items off. Use duct tape to tape stick to the back; Make letters and arrow with duct tape, or find markers. The three keys to a yard sale people can't help stopping for are: Over the years, the quality of yard sales has diminished. Remember, die-hard yard-sale shoppers will show up rain or shine. If you’re having the sale in the garage, start setting up a few days in advance. it is important to think ahead, so make sure that you set a good date for your yard sale. 6. If you are holding the sale in the garage, remove everything that's not for sale. Seriously, it’s … Always have an arrow on the sign pointing in the direction of the sale. Wow Mandy, you are way organized! Having a yard sale can be torture of the worst kind or a relatively easy way to clean out clutter and make some extra cash. When organizing a neighborhood yard sale, you will need to hold a meeting to select the date and gain the cooperation of your neighbors. If you have a lawn, prepare it one day before the event. Consider these factors: Day of the Week. One method that works well is to put yard sale items aside all year long. Look at prices and watch the shoppers. If you aren’t using preprinted stickers, use a large permanent marker or something similar so the price is easy to read. This way, you can start selling your items to the "early birds." See more ideas about yard sale, yard, garage sale tips. If you don’t have those signs, you can make your own out of cardboard; be sure to put them up days in advance. Follow the tips below to ensure you're well-organized. If there's a rush, it's fine to hand over a bag and some paper and let them pack their purchases themselves. 2 Inspect the items. If you want top dollar. In fact, many people in your community may have things they too wish to rid themselves of. Prepare for leftovers to move on. All clothes and shoes or just kids' items won't give you the kind of traffic you need to generate cash. Mow the lawn and put some tables out , it will be easier to look at displayed items on a table, than to pick them up from the ground or a box. This article originally appeared on Earth911.com and is republished with permission.. The better the signs, the better the turn out. If this is a first-time yard sale and you are anxious about getting your prices right, visit garage sales in your area to get a feel for prices. Arrange things logically. Here are 20 of the best ideas, tips, and tricks to help you organize your garage sale, make money, and maybe even have fun! Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. This is probably my favorite tip yet and I stole it from a friend. Here are 13 tips to follow before opening your yard to the public. It’s an interesting phenomenon. This has two advantages: It creates even more space in your home, and helps your customers carry their purchases to their car more easily. Organize and Arrange a Yard Sale Make it look good -- If you're going to the trouble of attempting to sell your stuff, make it look appealing so it actually sells! 5 Steps to Organizing a Successful Garage Sale This is more … As you’ve been spring … Make sure you have outstanding signage. If you do have to put some items on the ground, be sure to put a tarp down first. Put all the books in one place, all the clothes, all the dishes, etc. Comments. Gather your items. At our city yard sale, housewares and appliances were flying off the table. I had […] Find an old pack of … Placing Ads Online. If you have a lawn, prepare it one day before the event. It has become pretty well know in the community and come the first day of the sale it is very carnival like in our neighborhood. You might also pick up extra tips on how to organize a yard sale in your area. Conventional small-town wisdom, where your buyer pool is limited, is to plan your yard sale for the first weekend of a month. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. … The key to a successful garage sale is organization. If you and your neighbors organize together, you'll draw a bigger crowd and make better profits. They stick a sign marked "Yard Sale" in the ground and hope for the best. Declutter your closets and donate all the plastic bags and empty boxes to your yard sale. If you are selling clothes, you might need to have a lot of hangers and clothes racks. Keep plastic grocery bags and old newspapers on hand for shoppers who buy multiple or fragile items. Brought to you by my friends at Zillow Porchlight, here are my 10 tips for an irresistible yard sale. Best is to organize a yard sale in front of your house. Jul 8, 2014 - There is one very big advantage the neighborhood garage sale has over the individual sale: TRAFFIC. The general rule is to price stuff about 1/4 or less of the price that you originally paid. Set Up the Sale. Print fliers for the community. Tarp it. Mow the lawn and put some tables out , it will be easier to look at displayed items on a table, than to pick them up from the ground or a box. Community garage sales are a fantastic way to quickly and efficiently rid yourself of a wealth of items that no longer bring you joy. Rally the Troops. Feb 8, 2015 - Explore Kirstin Barrett's board "Neighborhood yard sale", followed by 156 people on Pinterest. If you're sorting through your clutter for the first time, break the job down into small, manageable tasks. Have Cash on Hand Set a rain date just in case-or be prepared to sell out of your garage if the weather doesn't hold up. If you have a lawn, prepare it one day before the event. I think he was just glad I had made a decision. If that's not possible, rope it off and use “Not for Sale” signs. Organize a successful yard sale by organizing the space well. A little class and some effort will definitely make the difference. Hence, the reason I haven’t dipped my feet into the water of hosting my own garage sale for over 7 years. Our second yard sale was a community yard sale in a small town surrounded by a rural area. Make sure to write neatly, and big enough so that everybody can see what is written. If you have no designated cashier, wear a fanny pack or an apron with lots of big pockets. If you have a lawn, prepare it one day before the event. Many folks simply open the garage door, lay a sheet on the ground and drag out dusty, cobwebbed items stored in the corners of the garage and attic for way too long. Greet shoppers as they arrive so they know who's running the sale. Write the word “firm” on the tags of your pricier pieces if you're not willing to negotiate. The key to having a successful, stress-free yard sale is organization. Think about the items you are selling. If you’re having the sale in the garage, start setting up a few days in … Decide on a weekend for your sale. It takes more prep time, but you’ll be glad things are less hectic on the day of the sale. She covers all-things home decor. Signs should be double-sided to catch people driving in both directions. 1 week prior: Once you reach your deadline, you’ll want to start placing your ads … Otherwise, you will accidentally leave that box unattended at some point during the hectic day. If you don’t have those signs, you can make your own out of cardboard; be sure to put them up days in advance. Garage sales and yard sales attract more traffic – and business – when other sales are held near by. Think about having a neighborhood garage sale. Otherwise, they'll have to track you down when they have questions or want to pay. Pick up some neon-colored price stickers. Tell them also to get their final set up ready by the crack of dawn. In order to have a great yard sale, you will need to figure out the best layout for everything. . Shoppers love to come to neighborhoods where there are a lot of sales going on at once, and you won’t have to do as much to promote your own sale. If you’re not too thrilled about the idea of strangers stopping by your front yard (or if you want to split some of the workload), team up with another family on your block or check with your neighborhood association to see if a community sale is coming up. It’s annoying to have to ask for a price on everything you like -- and some shoppers just won’t bother. You should organize a yard sale on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Set up early. Use a neon-colored poster board and thick, thick black lettering. People tend to drive on by when they don't see enough inventory. The difference between what sold in each place was mind-boggling! (My first one was when my husband ran a marathon for the Leukemia Society in memory of our son.Our sale raised almost $2000, but it left me whimpering in a corner. Once you set the date, go ahead and get a permit if your city requires it. Offer at least 100 items or more for sale. If the sale is Saturday, start the ad on Friday. Whether you're planning your own yard sale, or are pitching in to help run one, the key to yard sale success is drawing a crowd. Some newspapers give advertisers garage-sale kits that include signs to place around the neighborhood. Begin planning your garage sale weeks, if not months, before you greet your first customer. This was my 4th fundraiser garage sale and I have learned quite a few things along the way. They'll be out of your way, physically and mentally, while you deal with the iffy items. Saturday, Friday, and Sunday — in that order — are the best garage sale hosting days. Set up early. Know your audience: Our original yard sale was held in a high-end neighborhood in a major city. For some people, the nasty, ratty chair they just can't stand becomes fine designer upholstery in mint condition when it comes time to sell it. Love the way you set up your garage sale. If you're worried about who gets it, you aren't ready for it to go. ©2021 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. It's time to organize your garage sale, in fact, you could even make it the First Annual Neighborhood Yard Sale. Better still, move it somewhere else until the sale ends. If the sale is in the yard, put “Not for Sale” signs or stickers on any statuary, lawn ornaments, planters, or porch furniture. Pricing Decide all what you're selling. This was the tipping point for me when I was deciding whether to host my own sale or organize a neighborhood garage sale. Start your Craigslist ad a couple of days in advance. Organize a successful yard sale by organizing the space well. A lot of people get paid at the first of the month, so if you can time your sale close to that, it might help your sales. Some come preprinted with various prices. Feb 8, 2015 - Explore Kirstin Barrett's board "Neighborhood yard sale", followed by 156 people on Pinterest. If your neighborhood or community has a yard sale day, have your sale then! ; Post your sale on these popular webpages to help spread the word. ... What are some of your tips in organizing a yard sale? While that approach can work, it won't give you top dollar, says author and garage sale expert Ava Seavey. First, it’s time to rally the troops and see who in your community is … The point of a yard sale is usually to declutter and make some money -- not to bring back in the very items you've already determined could be let go. Point the way with thick, black arrows. Get rid of household clutter with six easy tips that will help you organize a yard sale in your neighborhood. In order to have a great yard sale, you will need to figure out the best layout for everything. At some point, nearly all of us will organize or assist with a yard sale, garage sale, or estate sale. This article originally appeared on Earth911.com and is republished with permission.. Do I care what happens to it or who buys it? Many families need more space in their homes and cleaning out closets and selling items you no longer use is and easy way to make some money and create a more organized house. June through October tends to be the best time for yard sales because people are in the throes of preparing for the next school year and college moving, and the weather is pleasant enough. Present an array of goods. If you’re selling something with some value, but you're not sure how much, do a. Don’t overprice. First, you need to choose a time and date for your garage sale. Planning a yard sale is like planning a wedding. Buyers on fixed incomes will be the most flush at that time. I recently helped organize a Benefit Garage Sale and we were blessed to raise $1500! Spend the extra money and list your prime merchandise. At the end of the sale, be ready to take all leftover items to a charitable group, or arrange to have them picked up. If I regret selling it, can it be replaced? Don’t rely on complicated systems where customers have to refer to a price chart that may be obscured by the crowd. Keep Your Deck, Patio & Pool Areas Free of Debris. 6. Ads won't generate as much traffic as your classified listings but do list your sale on yard sale sites and online community calendars, as long as there's no cost. Choose your sale's date wisely. Craigslist and yard-sale-specific Web sites, neighborhood newsletters, grocery-store bulletin boards and handmade signs around your area can all help spread the word. Best is to organize a yard sale in front of your house. What entices them to stop their car and jump out to cruise a collection of used stuff? Aim for the beginning of the month. Create tags or labels to individually price all items. Send them away if they bug you, but know that early birds usually come to buy -- and they still have all their money in their pockets. Think about the items you are selling. This personalized presentation makes it easier for buyers to make decisions and add up the purchases in their heads as they shop. 1. Some will ask anyway, but not as many. If they're in good condition and cost a lot … Our neighborhood has been having a garage sale every year for the past 6 years….it started out small but now we have 35 – 40 houses participating every year. It takes a lot of work in the days leading up to the event, but once the day comes, it is fun and rewarding — but unlike weddings, garage sales put money in your wallet. September 14, 2012 at 1:09 am. Don’t expect to get what you paid for something unless you bought it at a yard sale. If you're not a regular yard sale shopper, go to some. Stock your cash box. Yard sale signs are just as important as your published listings. It will help you stand out so buyers know who's in charge when they want to negotiate prices or request that items be held for pick up at a later time. Pick a Date. Make it easy for your customers to buy. People tend to drive on by when they don't see enough inventory. Except for large items, go ahead and corral the things you're sure about selling in one area, a garage or seldom-used room if possible. If shoppers are carrying stuff around and seem excited, the prices are right. Don’t forget your address, the dates, and the starting time. Expect a few shoppers to show up while you’re still setting up outside, even though it's way before your starting time. 4. Put your signs out the night before the sale. Take a trip to the bank in advance of the sale and get plenty of coins and dollar bills for change. If they are, mention the increased traffic street yard sales get and ask if … Leah French, a flea market and yard sale expert, has been involved in the interior design industry for over 15 years. Just talk to your neighbors and casually ask if they’re going to have a garage sale or yard sale. Shoppers will get to the sale right on time, so have everything organized at least an hour beforehand. Think about having a neighborhood garage sale. Use Size Dividers. Get more people by supplying an interesting inventory. Here are Ava's 10 tips for a successful yard sale: Professional Organizing Expert, Emmy Nominated TV Show Hoarders on A&E. Make a Yard Sale sign – Before doing this, check the laws and rules in your area. It seems to be understood that folding tables aren’t up for grabs, but drag a table out of the dining room and shoppers will drive you crazy asking if it’s for sale. Part of HuffPost Home & Living. If your sale starts on Friday, start your newspaper ad on Thursday. Shoppers will get to the sale right on time, so have everything organized at least an hour beforehand. Wear an apron. As such, organizing a community garage sale makes sense. You spend at least 2 days just sitting at the sale hoping the right people who want your stuff come to your sale. Use tables and tablecloths to display your more expensive items. Ashley says. Display valuable items close to the house, or close to the inside door if the sale is in a garage, where you can keep an eye on them. Some newspapers give advertisers garage-sale kits that include signs to place around the neighborhood. He had heard me go back and forth on whether or not to have a garage sale for over a year. This post contains affiliate links. Your goal is likely to have the latter. Set a good date for your yard sale. Those the days when a lot of people can come and visit your yard sale. Borrow or rent folding tables if you don’t have them. If you are selling clothes, you might need to have a lot of hangers and clothes racks. The majority of yard sales and garage sales are held in the spring, and the best day of the week for a sale is Friday. Serious shoppers plan in advance. Your community members have the opportunity to participate in a one stop shop yard sale, and raise money for your cause. For the items you're unsure about selling, ask yourself these questions: If I didn't already own it, would I buy it again today? You don't have to worry about a zipper and it helps shoppers identify you as the seller. First things first, assemble the items you wish to get rid of. I ran the idea of organizing a neighborhood garage sale by my husband, who was supportive. Write in big letters, and use as few words as possible. Designate some boxes or shelves in a closet or attic, and discard any unwanted clothing and household things there. Get a sign That says you have a yard sale and an arrow pointing down the direction it's in. In fact, a neighborhood yard sale will help your community and tempt more customers into buying merchandise from your yard. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, An essential daily guide to achieving the good life. Hosting a community yard sale fundraiser is a big undertaking, but a really fun event to put on for your community. This doesn’t need to be scientific. Even if the view isn’t blocked, they’ll drive you crazy asking for prices anyway. This allows your yard sale helpers to actually help you without having to turn around and ask you for the price on every item. If the merchandise looks pretty good, but most people walk away without buying, the prices are too high. Unless you have a designated cashier with no other duties who sits at a designated table, do not use a money box.