Getting Ready for Garage Sale Season in the Springtime | Countryside Self Storage
Spring has come to Kansas and Missouri, and that means it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning and the start of garage sale season. The garage sale (or yard sale, as some folks call it) is a suburban tradition, and it’s one of the best ways to get rid of all the things that no longer bring you joy (to quote Marie Kondo) and to make a few bucks at the same time! And why not? If you’re going to go to all the trouble to perform a really deep spring cleaning, you might as well take the opportunity to do a little decluttering as well.
Naturally, when you clean up around the house, you’re going to find things that are taking up too much space in your home, but you can’t bear to part with them. Fortunately, climate-controlled self storage units in Missouri and Kansas can help with that and so much more. For everything else, though, here are a few tips to help you make the most of the nice weather:
How to get ready for garage sale season:
1. Clean out your closets. And everyplace else, too. We’ve all got those spots around the house where things just accumulate because we don’t know where else to put them. Those should be your target areas.
2. Sort and get organized. Figure out what you want to keep, what you want to sell, and what you want to donate. Keep it all organized so you don’t have to go through it all again.
3. Check local regulations about garage sales. This really should be item number one on any garage sale prep list, and here's why: You may need a permit. Your HOA may not allow garage sales in the neighborhood. It’s better to be well informed and prepared than cited by the city. Nobody wants to finally rid themselves of their Beanie Babies collection only to be forced to use the proceeds paying stiff fines.
4. Pick your garage sale day. Give yourself plenty of time to get things organized and to place some ads, such as yard signs or online ads.
5. Advertise where you can. Some folks like to make yard signs, but they may be prohibited by the city or your HOA. Consider some online venues for listing your garage sale, such as Craigslist, Nextdoor, and others.
6. Volunteer some family members. Hanging around a garage sale all day can be draining, but it can also be fun if you make it fun! Get the kids involved. You can even pay them a few bucks to act as “salespeople” and occasionally watch the till. You’ll probably sell more stuff if everyone is having a good time.
7. Stock up on supplies. You'll need price tags (the more brightly colored the better) and some coins to make change. You’ll probably also want folding tables or other flat surfaces to put your stuff on. When all else fails, a blanket or tarp on the ground will do.
Special Note: Certain items just never seem to sell at garage sales, so you might have to find something else to do with mattresses, cookware, shoes, electronics, swimsuits, and bike helmets, all of which top the list of underperformers at most garage sales. Perhaps you can donate them to Goodwill instead.
If you have stuff that you’re not ready to sell but don’t have a good place to keep, you can turn to climate-controlled self storage units in Missouri and Kansas. With five convenient locations in Pittsburg, Joplin, and Frontenac, Countryside Self-Storage is here to meet all of your storage needs. Feel free to contact us anytime, whether you’re getting ready for that big garage sale or clearing up after.