Tips on Garage Sales

1. Eliminate clutter and make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
2. Reduce the energy and expense of moving by selling items no longer used or needed.
3. Turn your unwanted items into cash, and have fun doing it.  The extra cash from your garage sale also will come in handy to cover an unexpected expense, to buy that big TV your kids want, or to use for a getaway weekend for two.

• Ask local authorities about permits, restrictions, advertising, and tax implications.
• Visit neighborhood garage sales early on their first day to see pricing and what sells best.
• Go through your home, attic, basement, garage and yard and list everything you want to sell.
• Read other garage sale ads.  Write your ad to feature the broad scope of your items.
• Talk with neighbors.  They may want to make it a joint or neighborhood sale.
• Set dates and times and avoid holidays.
• Save small and mid-size cartons, craft paper and small plastic bags and newspaper.
• Ask family members, neighbors and friends to help, especially during the first few hours.
• Have at least wo people "working" the sale, one of whom is capable of negotiating price.
• Decide where the sale will be:  outdoors, garage, yard, inside the home, etc.  Allow shoppers in the sales area only.  Keep your home doors shut and locked if the sale is outside.
• Before setting up, remove everything from the sale area that is not for sale.
• Place similar items close to each other.