Tips for a Successful Garage Sale

Getting ready for a garage sale

While it'd be nice to just arrange some items in your garage and put a "For Sale" sign near your curb, this alone isn’t likely to attract much traffic. Use these tips to get ready for a successful sale.

1. Find items you no longer use

Clean out your closets, drawers, attic and basement. Search your home for unwanted items like clothes, toys and household goods. Keep an eye out for things you no longer use.

2. Make three piles

Dividing your unused items into “sell,” “keep” and “trash piles will help you decide what to sell. The "sell" pile is for items in good condition. The "keep" pile is for sentimental or needed items. The "trash" pile is for anything broken or unsellable.

Saturday and Sunday mornings, particularly in the milder months, are ideal for hosting garage or yard sales.

3. Pick a date

The best time for a garage sale is spring or summer when foot traffic is high. Schedule it for a weekend morning to attract early shoppers.

4. Set your prices

Goodwill of the Heartland recommends not selling items at over 10% of their retail costs. So if you bought a $20 book, price it at $2 or less at the garage sale. The company also mentioned that pricing items at $5 tends to lead to faster sales.

Items priced at $5 usually sell faster.

Your pricing strategy will also depend on your goals. Do you want to sell every item and make more space in your home, or would you rather make as much money as possible? Lower prices help move items quickly. Higher prices tend to be more effective in upscale areas.

5. Spread the word

About two weeks before your sale, start advertising on social media and in online community groups. Share photos of items you think will generate the most interest to excite potential shoppers.

Don't forget the old-fashioned method of posting flyers around town. Whichever method you use, be sure to include all the important details, like the date, time and location of your sale.

6. Make signs

A couple of days before the sale, create clear, weather-resistant signs with:

• An arrow pointing in the direction of your home
• "Garage sale" or “Yard sale” in bold letters
• The date, time and address

What do you need for a garage sale?

For a smooth sale, gather these essentials:

• Price tags mark items clearly or group them by price.
• Tables display items neatly for easy browsing.
• Clothing racks and hangers keep clothes organized and wrinkle-free.
• Small bills and coins provide change for buyers.
• Cash boxes secure money and facilitate transactions.
• Calculators total purchases and calculate change.
• Bags and wrapping materials package customer purchases neatly.
• Chairs provide places to sit during slow periods.
• Boxes store unsold items for donation or future sales.
• Markers update pricing or create signs as needed.
• Permits may be needed to legally hold a sale, depending on where you live.

» MORE: Where to find moving boxes

The day before the sale

Finalize pricing, prepare signs and ensure your sales area is ready the day before the garage sale starts. Double-check that valuable or personal items aren’t mistakenly included. Set up a sales station with cash, wrapping materials and a calculator.

If you plan on taking electronic payments, it’s a good idea to test your system in advance.

How to sell as much as possible

When sale day arrives, these tips can help ensure things run smoothly so that you sell as much as possible.

• Open early: Most sales start at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m., but opening earlier attracts serious buyers.
• Keep track of sales: Use a notebook or spreadsheet to record sales and pricing trends for future reference.
• Put big-ticket items in front: Place valuable items close to the curb to attract people passing by.
• Cut prices: If you have a two-day sale, offer discounts on the second day to clear out inventory.
• Be flexible on prices: Negotiating helps move items faster, but avoid giving away valuable pieces for too little.
• Make your sale inviting: Organize items neatly, add decorations and play music to create a welcoming atmosphere.
• Sell refreshments: Stocking bottled water or packaged snacks can add to your profits and keep shoppers around longer.
• Keep valuable items close: To prevent theft, keep expensive items near you or inside a secure case.
• Recruit help: Running a sale alone is challenging. Ask friends or family to assist.
• Join forces with neighbors: A multifamily sale attracts more shoppers, increasing your chances of selling more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a garage sale worth it?

A garage sale is worth it if you are hoping to declutter your home and make some extra cash. The success of your garage sale, however, depends on your goals and approach.

If your primary focus is to get rid of unwanted items, be prepared to price things competitively and negotiate with buyers. If you're aiming to make the most money possible, research pricing trends, highlight high-value items and be strategic about discounts throughout the day.