Moving Garage Sale: The Complete Guide

When you’re getting ready to pack and move house, the amount of stuff you own can overwhelm you. You may find yourself going through your belongings, thinking, “Wow, I bought this blender years ago and never took it out of its box,” or “Who knew we had such a large collection of candle holders?”

A moving garage sale can help you get rid of things you don’t need and unpack fewer boxes after your Big Move Day. Here’s how to plan and manage a successful garage or yard sale.

What Is a Moving Garage Sale?

Pre-move garage sales are a fantastic way to cut down on the number of items you need to pack. Over time, many of us accumulate things we rarely, if ever, get to use. Maybe you have clothes with the price tag still lurking at the back of the closet or a barely touched tool set you bought for a DIY project you never found the time to complete.

Those items, which are practically useless to you, can be a great find for others. You can free up your home, make it more attractive for potential buyers, and earn some cash to boot. Holding a garage sale is an especially good idea if you’re moving to a smaller house that can’t hold all your current possessions.

Planning Your Moving Garage Sale

Proper planning is the key to successful garage sale days. Check out these tips for running a garage or yard sale:

• Start early. It’s better to start preparing for your garage sale long before moving day while you still have plenty of time to sort your items, organize the sale, and figure out what to do with whatever you don’t sell.
• Advertise. You can spread the word about your garage sale on social media, Craigslist, and local newspapers. Be sure to include a brief list of item categories (e.g., housewares, children’s toys, etc.) to attract more interested buyers.
• Go through all your storage spaces. Check your entire house, including your attic, basement, the upper shelves of your closets, and your out-of-reach kitchen cabinets for sellable items.
• Have change ready. While apps like Venmo are popular among garage sales, many will still prefer to pay you in cash, so don’t forget to have that extra roll of quarters on hand.
• Organize your items. Arrange your items by clearly visible categories (e.g., glassware, clothing, jewelry, appliances, etc.). This way, buyers can find items that interest them more easily.

How Do You Choose a Date and Time for Your Moving Garage Sale?

Because most people visit garage, yard, and estate sales on weekends, you’ll attract more buyers if you hold your sale on Saturday or Sunday. Usually, garage sales start early in the morning and end in the afternoon, so prepare to set an entire day aside for your sale. You might even spread your sale over a couple of days if you have many items.

Are There Any Permits You Need?

While you don’t need a business license to run a garage sale, you may need a permit, depending on where you live. Check with your municipality as you plan the sale to ensure you get any required permits on time.

Your local jurisdiction may also restrict garage sale signage in public places. Look up these regulations beforehand to stay on the right side of the law.

How Do You Assess Your Belongings Before a Moving Sale?

As you sort through your things before a moving garage sale, ask yourself, “Is this marketable? Would I buy this if I were interested in this type of item?”

You can group items by categories:

• New and unused. Maybe you have unused appliances, tools, or decorative items sitting around in their original packaging, with the price tag still attached. These are usually top-rated finds at garage and yard sales.
• Gently used and in excellent condition. These are items you can show to advantage by cleaning and displaying them attractively.
• Slightly damaged but usable. Sturdy old items, like genuine, slightly dented silverware or scratched vintage furniture, can appeal to buyers interested in restoration.
• Heavily damaged. Don’t clutter your display with barely usable, heavily damaged items. Get rid of them before the sale.

What Strategies Can You Use To Create Eye-Catching Signs?

Even if you advertise your sale online, prominent signs can help direct passers-by to your yard. Opt for large signs with bold, clear lettering in bright colors. Red is a popular choice since it attracts the eye and creates a feeling of urgency.

Don’t try to cram too much information into your signage. A simple, brief message like “Sale” or “Garage Sale” will let people know what they can expect.

Put up a trail of signs starting from strategic points, like main intersections and busy streets in your area, and include arrows to point buyers in your home’s direction.

Final tip: Remember to take down the signs after the sale ends, or people might show up again the next day.

How Should You Price Items for a Moving Garage Sale?

Pricing your garage sale items can be a challenge. You’ll aim to set a price that will seem like a great deal and attract buyers, but at the same time, you don’t want to underprice a genuinely valuable item.

A common guideline for garage sales is the 10% Rule, meaning you should charge up to 10% of the original price. Thus, if you bought an item for $30, you’d price it at $3. Keep prices affordable to clear up as many items as possible before your move.

A few more tips for pricing your items:

• Mark the price clearly. Buy neon stickers and mark all items with a bold, easily readable price. You don’t want to run around answering questions about prices on a busy sale day.
• Be flexible. Some people will haggle to get an even better deal. Sometimes, you might consider dropping the price to get rid of a bulky item you’ll donate anyway if it doesn’t sell.
• Consider bulk deals. You might make more sales if you offer multiple items at a reduced price. For example, you can price a single bowl at $2 and a set of five bowls at $7. You could even offer a set-price box or bag (“pay $10 and haul away all you can fit in!”).

What Options Do You Have for Dealing With Unsold Items After the Sale?

Even if your garage sale is a smashing success, you’ll likely have some unsold items left at the end of the day. What should you do with those?

Donate

Many families in need will be happy to receive unused or gently used clothing, homeware, appliances, and tools. Contact your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other charities to find out where you can donate items in good condition. Some companies will even pick up your donated items for you directly off your doorstep.

Sell Online

You might list your unsold items on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace if you have enough time between your garage sale and moving day. Consider how you’ll handle pickup and shipping.

Give It to Friends and Family

You can invite your friends and family to go over your unsold items after a garage sale and take what they like. You’ll make people happy and free up valuable space before your move: win-win.

Recycle or Repurpose

Sometimes, after re-assessing an item, you’ll realize its condition isn’t as good as you thought. In this case, recycling is better than tossing items into a landfill. If you’re feeling creative, you could also check out upcycling options, like turning old sheets and towels into rugs, or using clothing that you would’ve donated for sewing projects

Donate Your Leftover Garage Sale Items Today

Do you have unsold items at the end of your moving garage sale? With Easy Donation Pickup, donating useful items to veterans is simple and hassle-free. Just schedule a pickup, pack your donations, and leave the boxes outside for our team.