Tips for Holding a Yard Sale

An important goal before listing your home for sale should be to reduce the clutter in your home. One way to do this is to hold a yard sale. Not only will you cut out the clutter in your home -- you'll also get rid of items you didn't want to move. Here are some tips to make your yard sale a success.

1. See if neighbors want to participate. A "block" sale may attract more visitors.
2. Check with your city or county government to see if you need a permit or license.
3. Advertise. Put an ad in free classified papers, and put up signs and balloons at major intersections and in stores near your home.
4. Price items ahead of time by attaching prices with removable stickers. Remember, yard sales are supposed to be bargains, so don't try to sell anything of significant value this way. Don't count on people "making an offer" if there's no price, but do expect people to negotiate on the sticker price.
5. Check items before the sale to be sure you haven't included something you want by mistake.
6. Keep an eye on children and pets during the sale to keep them safe.
7. Display everything neatly and individually so customers don't have to dig through boxes.
8. Have an outdoor extension cord plugged in to an electrical outlet so buyers can test appliances.
9. Have plenty of bags and newspapers for wrapping fragile items.
10. Keep enough change on hand, and keep a close eye on your cash.