With summer winding down and the regularity of fall-life approaching, now is a great time to have a garage sale. You just need to make sure you set yourself up for success. Simply opening your garage door, putting a table or two up, and waiting for people to arrive isn’t enough.

You need to be proactive if you want your garage sale to succeed. It’s going to take a little work, but with the right strategy, you can make some money while clearing out that clutter.

Here’s where to start.

Do You Need a Permit?

Some neighborhoods and cities require approval for garage sales. There may be restrictions on when they can happen or how often they can happen. The last thing you need is a fine from the city for violating some local code.

Get the Word Out

Whether you’re hosting your garage sale during a city-wide event, or you’re venturing out on your own, you need to make sure people know about when your sale is happening, where it is, and what they can find there.

Adding some arrow signs around the neighborhood always works to pick-up passerby’s, but it’s not enough. Craigslist can be a great way to advertise bigger ticket items while mentioning the sale itself. Share your sale on social media as well.

The more pictures and specific items you can mention, the better.

Choose the Right Time

You should have some idea of how your community operates. When is there the most traffic happening around you? What do people’s work and weekend schedules look like? It’s going to vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Consider taking a week to observe your surrounding area each day.

Show, Don’t Tell

A certain amount of trust is involved when it comes to garage sales. You can help alleviate concerns by having batteries in battery operated items, cords for other electronics, mirrors for clothes, etc.

Don’t Go Solo

Trying to run a garage sale by yourself is an easy way to have someone walk away because you’re busy with a customer. Someone may even try to steal your inventory while you’re preoccupied. Try to keep at least two people on board at all times.

Organize Logically

There’s a lot of psychology behind how stores organize their inventory. Item placement can have a huge impact on how much a person buys. Think about how Target or Wal-Mart places their items and follow accordingly.

Make it Look Nice and Inviting

Shady homes and untrustworthy environments can quickly scare away would be buyers. You want to make sure you’re presenting yourself well. This goes beyond the items themselves, extending to your landscaping and driveway.

Make sure you grass is mowed, weeds are pulled and sprayed, hedges are trimmed, and everything looks nice. Appearances have a big impact on how much a stranger will trust your sale.

If your driveway is looking pretty beat up, you may want to consider resurfacing it. Concrete resurfacing is a quick and affordable way to achieve a like-new finish on an older driveway. If you need concrete resurfacing in Ohio, whether it’s indoor or outdoor, Select Flooring is here for you.

Contact us today!