5 Tips for a Successful Garage Sale

Posted on August 15th, 2018

Having and planning a garage sale is time-consuming, so if you’re going to do it, you might as well give it your best shot. Our garage builders in Chicago have five valuable tips so your yard sale can exceed all of your expectations.

1. It’s All About Location

At the end of the day, location is the difference between a home run and a flop. If you don’t live on a well-traveled street, or in an area with accessible parking, it might be time to ask for a favor from a friend or family member in a better spot.

2. Timing is Everything

Choosing the right day for your garage sale is another crucial element to success. The dead of winter and the peak days of summer aren’t ideal times to hold your sale, as most people aren’t eager to spend long amounts of time outside. Pick a time of the year with pleasant weather, like spring, early summer, or fall. It’s also a good idea to find out what days of the week are best for yard sales in your area. As a general rule, Fridays and Saturdays get the most traffic.

3. Get the Word Out

Advertising and signage will make or break your garage sale. Post an ad on Craigslist or in your local paper to start spreading the word, but remember that many people visit garage sales on a whim. This means street signs are going to be your best friend. Strategize where to put your signs and make sure they’re as clear as possible, listing the location, date, and time of the sale.

4. Prep Work

A successful garage sale doesn’t happen without organization. At least a week before the sale, thoroughly go through the clutter in your house and set aside what you want to sell. Group together like items, find tables for display, and make sure you have plenty of cash to use for change. Don’t wait until the last minute to pull off your garage sale!

5. Price to Sell

First and foremost, make sure all items for sale are well marked with their price. This eliminates the need to make up prices on the spot and alleviates a shy shopper from having to ask. Remember, when you go to a yard sale, you expect to pay yard sale prices. Try to price things at what you feel would be a good bargain.

If you follow these tips from our garage builders in Chicago, you’ll be well on your way to having a successful, lucrative garage sale. Best of luck, and happy shopping!