Declutter and Earn Cash: How to Host a Garage Sale Before Selling Your Home

Clutter accumulates quickly in homes of all sizes, but that doesn't mean you should have to live with it. Whether you're selling your house or want more space, the warmer months are a perfect opportunity to clear out the clutter with a garage (or yard) sale. Here's a straightforward guide to help you get started.

1. Gather Everything You No Longer Use

Before hosting your yard sale, you should decide what items to sell. Designate a space in your home to gather potential sale items, and spend several days going through each room. If you have multiple family members, you can turn this into a fun challenge - for instance, the person with the heaviest load wins a prize. Use this simple rule throughout the process: have you used it in the last year? Outdated and ill-fitting clothes shouldn't occupy space in your closet, and your kids don't need toys they've outgrown.

2. Ask Friends & Neighbors if They Want to Participate

To have a successful yard sale, it's best to make it as big as possible. You can attract more people by inviting neighbors, friends, and family to join in and sell their items. It's a good idea to keep track of who contributed which items for payment purposes or offer them a share of the profits. If your yard isn't big enough or in a high-traffic area, consider holding the sale at someone else's property.

3. Make Signs and Advertise Online

It's crucial to have effective marketing, no matter how great your items are. Let people know about your yard sale, especially hobbyists who spend their weekends searching for hidden gems. Start by using online platforms like Craigslist, Facebook, your local newspaper, Nextdoor, and specific yard sale websites and apps. In addition, you'll need physical advertisements, so make sure to have brightly colored poster boards or pre-made picket signs. Include your address and big, bold arrows on each sign, and map out nearby intersections and neighborhood entrances that receive a lot of traffic. This will be your route on the morning of the yard sale.

4. Separate Your Stuff into Categories & Start Pricing

Before putting price tags on your items, take some time to organize everything into categories and bundles. For instance, gather all the books together but bundle a stack of romance novels to sell as a set. Make sure your clothes are on hangers, your electronics have at least half-full batteries or working plugs, and everything is clean, free of dust, and not broken. Then, use brightly colored stickers to label each item (or set of items) with a reasonable price. Keep your prices relatively low, as people usually expect bargains at yard sales.

5. Create a Miniature "Store" with Aisles, Departments & Special Offers

When garage sale day arrives, you should be prepared at least an hour early with racks and tables arranged like a miniature department store. If necessary, set up the night before. The best option is to use long, narrow tables with wide aisles between them, making it easy for bargain hunters to go straight to the categories they want to browse, such as dishware or children's clothes. Once your items are priced and on display, you're ready to make money!

A well-organized garage sale is a fantastic way to declutter your home before selling it and an opportunity to make some extra cash. You can turn your clutter into someone else's treasure with a bit of planning and creativity. So gather your items, enlist your friends and neighbors, and get ready to enjoy a more spacious home and a fuller wallet. Happy selling!