Whether you are selling your home, moving, or staying put in your current home, decluttering is a smart move to make. If you’re selling your property, getting rid of clutter and unwanted items is all part of the staging process. If you are simply moving to another location, you want to lighten the load as much as you can. And if you’re staying in your current house, decluttering is a great way to give your home more space.
Yard sales can clear up loads of space and make you a good amount of money if you play your cards right. The following tips should help you have a smashingly successful yard sale!
How to decide what to sell
The first step is deciding what you want to rid of. If you are moving into a smaller home or condo, you will want to get rid of a great deal of items in order to downsize. (Downsizing is not just for those who are planning on moving. It’s a great way for homeowners in any situation to gain more space!)
A great rule to follow is the ever popular “If you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it.” There’s no point in moving items you aren’t going to use or keeping things that take up space for no productive reason. Also, don’t try to predict what people will buy. Put all items in a pile or designated space without thinking too much. People will buy items that speak to their particular tastes, so you never know what will sell. You will probably be surprised!
Whatever you decide not to sell, you can donate to charity or a non-profit organization. In some cases, they will even pick up your unwanted items in a truck for your convenience. Plus, you can get a tax credit this way.
How to price items
You should assume that buyers are knowledgeable and know values. They are ultimately looking for a bargain. (That’s why they’re at your yard sale!) Avoid attaching any sentimental value to the pricing of an item. Be sure to post prices so that they are visible and easy to read.
Advertising your sale
A successful yard sale involves advertising in order to get the most shoppers possible. Put up fliers around the area, at work, and the local grocery store about a week before the yard sale. Local newspapers have yard sale advertisements, so run your ad through them. Craigslist is also another great way to advertise your yard sale for free.
Whether you are selling or staying, you should be able to figure out your home’s true value. Remember, you can always rely on a free home valuation report from Neighborhood IQ to help you decide how to price your home or raise its value.
