Cash from clutter:
How to have a successful garage sale!

Over the years, we tend to accumulate a lot of things. From never-used Christmas gifts to appliances we used once or twice to dishes, nick-knacks, toys, gardening and exercise equipment. Often most of it is in perfect or near-perfect condition.

And even better, there is a market for it.

If you're planning to move consider having a garage sale. You won't have to move your clutter with you and you can make some money that will come in handy at your new home.

Royal Pacific REALTORS® recommend weekends as the best time to hold a garage sale.

Once you have set the date and time, you can place a classified ad in your local community newspaper and on Craig's list at  http://vancouver.craigslist.org/. You can also typically place announcements about your sale on your local community centre bulletin board and other community locations. Make sure to get permission first and to also remove announcements after the sale.

Take care with taping signs to City-owned poles or placing signs on City property. There are sign by-laws that may prohibit this activity. Instead, ask neighbours for permission to place on their property directional signs with arrows, as well as the date and time of the sale. And don't forget to remove all signs when you sale is over. 

Even better, maybe you can convince your neighbours to have a group sale. Each year the entire neighbourhood of Queen's Park in New Westminster hosts a community sale in May. It's so popular eager buyers line up well before the 9:00 a.m. start to make sure they get the best merchandise.

Make sure your items are clean and then price your items for sale so that at the end of the day you aren't scrambling to lower prices or give items away. 

• Have a cash box (an old shoe box will do, or a fanny pack) and have lots of small change. Make sure your cash is secure at all times.
• Use a calculator since it may get hectic and you won't have time to add prices in your head.
• Never accept cheques unless you know the buyer.
• This is the chance to reuse any grocery bags you may have socked away in drawers.

If you want buyers to linger, offer fresh coffee in paper cups, or if it's hot, lemonade. While they're enjoying their refreshment, they'll be shopping.

Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver

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