7 Secrets to a Successful Yard Sale

One great way to declutter is to hold a yard sale. Not only will this clear up needed space in your home, you’ll be able to make some money, too.

The more successful your event, the more money you’ll make and the more you’ll clear away. So, here are seven secrets to holding a successful yard sale.

Get a Permit

Did you know that many towns and cities require you to get a permit to host a yard sale? Look for information about this on your city’s website or visit your city hall or county courthouse. Find out how long it generally takes to get a permit, apply for one, and plan the date of your sale accordingly.

Pick a Good Day for Your Yard Sale

What day should you do your yard sale? You’ll want to hold it at a time when people are free and when the weather is pleasant. Saturday and Sunday mornings are generally the best time. If summers get really hot and winters really cold where you live, plan to hold your sale sometime in spring or fall, at a time when it’s not likely to rain.

Clean Your Items

Make sure everything you’re selling is clean. If you’re not sure how to clean certain items, browse through our articles or look up helpful YouTube videos. The better things look, the more likely you’ll sell them.

Organize Multiple Tables

On the day of your sale, put up several folding tables.

Put like items together in a way that’s visually pleasing. Don’t simply stack items or put them in a pile. A well-organized setup will give the impression of greater value.

Use Price Tags

Make sure your shoppers know what you want for each item by using price tags. We also suggest you be willing to haggle, but it’s up to you whether you want to advertise this or not.

Put Up Signs

Signs are perfect for directing people in the area toward your yard sale. They should announce that there’s a yard sale, list your address in large letters, and have an arrow pointing in the direction of your home. Put one on each corner of your block as well as on the nearest major street. You should also put one in your own yard in front of the event itself.

Prepare for Payments

People are going to come with cash, and that means you’ll need to make change. We suggest you start with a roll of quarters, a roll of dimes, and a roll of nickels, as well as about $50 in ten dollar bills, $50 in five dollar bills, and $20 in one dollar bills. You can have a cash box so long as you have one dedicated person watching at all times and handling transactions. However, don’t keep all the money right there. Keep much of the change in the house, and bring sales money in to the house periodically as well. You can always go retrieve more change if you need it.

You may also want to take credit cards. In the past, it made sense to only take cash at yard sales. These days, through PayPal or Square, anyone can take credit card payments. Sign up for an account on either and get a free card reader in advance of your yard sale.

Have leftover items after your yard sale? Consider renting a storage unit and keeping them there until next year’s yard sale.