After spring cleaning your house, you may be left with loads of decluttered items. If you’ve set aside a pile to sell or give away, the next step is setting up a sale. Here are some garage sale planning tips and a checklist to prepare for a successful event.

Garage Sale Planning Tips

There are many ways to sell items you no longer want. From online marketplaces to antique resellers, each option comes with its own process. But sometimes the easiest option is to set up a good ‘ole fashioned garage sale. While you can simply lay out items in your front yard and hope people drive by and stop, doing some initial planning and organizing can help increase sales. Here’s what to focus on:

1. Permissions. Be sure you can hold a sale in your area, especially if your neighborhood has an HOA.
2. Invitations. Consider getting your neighbors involved for a street sale. At least give them notice you plan on attracting visitors to your area. Encourage friends and family to come and share the news. Target a weekend for optimal attendance.
3. Advertising. Post advance notices online to reach a wider audience. Then place eye-catching signs around your neighborhood, especially at intersections.
4. Organizing. While setting up your area, group similar items together and arrange them to make it easy to browse. Create clear paths to move around without tripping or digging through piles.
5. Pricing. Clearly mark the item with the targeted price. Remember, you want to sell it, so research similar items and price competitively. Be prepared to take multiple forms of payment for smoother transactions.
6. Negotiating. Be flexible, especially on items that have been on the table for a while. Offer to bundle certain items for a discount. Many people attend garage sales ready to haggle.
7. Preparing. Start early in the day to provide more time to sell and catch early shoppers. Have a back-up plan for rain. If there are a lot of items to sell, consider holding the event over multiple days.
8. Customer Service. Being friendly, approachable, and helpful makes a difference, especially if someone is looking for a specific item.

Keeping the environment clean, organized, and positive goes a long way in running a successful sale.

Garage Sale Checklist

Once you have a plan in place, the sale is on track to go smoothly. On the day of the event, make sure you have plenty of the following:

1. Bags. Provide reusable bags or boxes and offer supplies like newspapers for wrapping delicate items.
2. Change. If you’re accepting cash, make sure you have money to make change. Keep all currency in a lockable container.
3. Tables and racks. Display items off the ground if possible.
4. Tarps or tents. Cover the area to protect from the weather and keep shoppers cool and dry.
5. Refreshments. Offer snacks and drinks for an added bonus.

During the sale, be aware of your surroundings and stay vigilant, especially around expensive items and large bills. Keep these tips and checklist in mind and you’ll be on your way to hosting a successful garage sale.