How to Host a Community Garage Sale
Looking to get rid of some things after your spring-cleaning session? You’re probably not the only one in your community thinking the same thing: time for a garage sale! At garage sales, community members can sell items they no longer need to their neighbors and nearby visitors. A great way to offload unwanted stuff and make a little extra cash, garage sales are easy to organize with the proper planning. Read on to learn how to have a garage sale and discover garage sale tips and garage sale ideas!
Garage Sale Checklist
Start your community yard sale off on the right foot by running through this garage sale preparation checklist.
1. Check community rules.
If you live in a homeowners’ association (HOA), your HOA may have garage sale rules. Your HOA might limit when garage sales are held, the location, and the size of the event. In some cities and counties, you’ll also need a permit to do a big sale. Our top garage sale tip: double-check local rules and your community’s governing documents before you organize a garage sale to avoid any issues.
RELATED: HOA Governing Documents Decoded: Everything You Need to Know
2. Set a date and time.
Wondering about the best time for a garage sale? Well, spring and summertime should provide you with perfect garage sale weather. Select a date at least one month in advance so people can have time to plan what they want to sell and how much they want to charge. Hosting your community garage sale on a Saturday or Sunday will give people more time to visit, and starting in the early morning until early evening will maximize your sales.
3. Pick the right location.
A community garage sale is a big event. You could have everyone line up down your street to sell items in front of their house, but that may not be permitted and may be hectic for visitors. Neighbors should work together to identify a location best suited for the size of the sale. Types of community sales include:
- Sidewalk sale. Neighbors sell stuff from the sidewalk.
- Yard sale. Sell stuff from your front yard.
- Garage sale. Set up shop in your driveway
- Community clubhouse. Gather everyone’s stuff for a big sale here.
4. Get the word out.
You can’t hold a community garage sale if people don’t know it’s happening! First, collaborate with your neighbors to see who wants to put items up for sale. Then, decide how to advertise your garage sale. You can spread the word about the event using:
- Community bulletin board
- Social media
- Community newsletter
- Community website
- Fliers
- Announcements at board meetings
5. Set your prices.
Don’t get greedy when giving up used goods. Here’s how to price garage sale items based on condition:
- Items in excellent condition should go for about 50% of the original price.
- Items in fair condition should go for no more than 30% of the original price.
- Items in poor condition should go for no more than 10% of the original price.
Price items in increments that are convenient for people to pay ($1, $5, $10, etc.) and be prepared to adjust. Visitors may negotiate prices or buy multiple items together. Consider grouping similar items initially and offering them in bundles, like books or DVDs.
6. Don’t sell junk.
Broken items shouldn’t be part of your offerings. Throw them away or make them free if people want to use them for parts. In addition to stuff that has stopped working, here’s what not to sell at a garage sale:
- Worn-out furniture
- Personalized items
- Family heirlooms
- Recalled products
- Items that require permits
- Illegal items, like medicine
- Excessively dirty items
And these items are what sells best at garage sales:
- Clothing
- Home décor
- Video games
- Toys
- Antique items
- Dishes
- Books
- Costume jewelry
- Camping gear and other sporting goods
RELATED: How to Recycle Almost Anything
7. Organize your display.
When setting up your yard sale, make the most attractive items easily visible and organize things so visitors don’t have to sift through too many piles and clusters. If possible, put clothes on portable racks, and stack books, CDs, and movies so there’s no trouble spotting titles. Take appliances out of boxes and place colored stickers on what you’re selling based on the initial amount (green for $1, yellow for $5, etc.).
8. Be a helpful seller.
You’re the face of your business! Smile and let customers know you’re available to help with questions or concerns. If you loved an item, but are ready to let it go, don’t be afraid to let people know about it. The more excited you are about what you’re giving away, the more your garage sale should clear out!
9. Provide different ways to pay.
While garage sales were once cash-only events, today, digital payments are the currency of choice. To make payment easier for customers, set up accounts and understand how to navigate apps like Zelle, Venmo, and CashApp. Still, prepare yourself with cash and change in case people pay the old-school way and you need to break a bill.
10. Don’t be afraid to donate.
While making money is an excellent benefit, donating what’s left over can offer feel-good benefits, too. Think about giving away what you no longer need to a local charity or worthy cause. You’ll not only do good for yourself and someone else, but also the planet. Declutter your home, help someone in need, and reduce waste—it’s a triple win!
Beyond How to Do a Garage Sale
With our garage sale checklist, hosting a community garage sale is effortless. Now that you have extra space in your garage, it’s time to organize. Check out our “Garage Dos and Don’ts” list for a helpful guide to rearranging.