If you’re moving, you might be taking a look at everything you need to pack and realizing that you have more things than you need (or are willing to pack). A garage sale is a good idea to load off any items that still have a lot of value that you wouldn’t want to throw in the trash necessarily. Here are a few basic guidelines to help you plan a successful garage sale before you move.
1) Take inventory
While you’re starting to plan how you’ll be packing for your move, take inventory of everything you’ve got and think about whether or not you want to go through the trouble of packing and moving it. Do you really need three sets of china that you never use? Is it time to get rid of all those paperbacks that you’ll never read again? Maybe it’s even time to update your old couch set.
Also, consider selling items you might not need at your new home. A new home with a smaller or even no yard won’t require a riding mower or leaf blower, fewer windows mean fewer curtains, a larger bathroom means that you won’t need all of those space saving drawer organizers and racks.
2) Pick a date for your garage sale
Moving is stressful and picking a good time to have your garage sale is crucial. You should begin planning to have it about a month before you move – that way, you have time to decide what you are getting rid of, see what sells, and have time to deal with what doesn’t sell.
You don’t want to host a garage sale too close to your moving date, so if you’re moving a great distance, you may want to throw it even earlier.
3) Pricing your items
Selling your items doesn’t just get you extra cash to offset your moving expenses – it helps you get rid of items that you don’t want or have little use for anymore. So, when deciding how much to sell your items for, keep in mind to set a fair price for them and be willing to negotiate on the day of the garage sale. This site is a good resource for pricing for your garage sale.
4) Advertising
You need people to know about your garage sale – letting your neighbors know that you’re moving and holding a garage sale is a good way to get the word out. Post flyers around the area the week before. Neighborhood social media apps like NextDoor are also a great way to spread the word.
5) A few things to keep in mind
- Keep lots of change handy
- Keep items out of the elements
- Keep larger items like furniture in a place where it can easily be loaded onto vehicles
- Smaller items should be grouped into boxes or organized on folding tables
Remember, any items that aren’t sold can be donated to a charity.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you out with planning your garage sale. Good luck with your move!