You can really tell summer is upon us when garage sale signs begin popping up on busy intersection street signs. This is the time of year many people enjoy, both because it inspires us to clean out the excess or unused as well as sometimes even find those diamonds in the rough.

For some, putting on a garage sale can be quite the challenge, but also rewarding. If you are a person who enjoys putting on a good garage sale every now and then, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

*Market your garage sale so others know it is happening. First check in with your neighbors to see if they too are interested in hosting a garage sale. Sometimes multiple house/neighborhood garage sales will attract more people. Then, get the word out. This can be done through the local paper, Craigslist, posting signs on high traffic streets, and even by doing a Google search to find websites for posting garage sales. The more people that know about your sale, the more people you are likely to have come check it out.

*Make sure to clean your items before you put them out for sale. Many times items have been stored away for a period of time and need a little dusting off to show their true potential.

*Try to place as many items as possible on tables or taller surfaces. This makes it easier for shoppers to see the items. If you are short on tables, see if you can borrow some from friends or neighbors.

*Display similar items together. Items are less likely to be overlooked by shoppers if they are organized with other like items.

*Make sure to put visible price tags on your items so your shoppers aren’t left guessing or wondering. This is also helpful for when there are multiple shoppers looking at your items at once, you do not need to be as accessible to everyone at the same time.

*Price your items reasonably, unless it is a collectible or antique. Keep in mind most items do not sell anywhere near what you might have paid for them. Goodwill has a store website that lists the thrift-store value of items. Though this is used for tax deductions, it can also help you know price ranges to sell items.

*Have change on hand in order to make change for customers. You may lose out on a sale if you’re not able to make change for 10 or 20 dollar bills. Also it is helpful to have bags/tissue paper on hand for breakable and multiple items sold. Making the experience as convenient as possible for shoppers is a win-win for them and you!

*Lastly, greet your customers. Shoppers are more likely to buy something if you make contact with them. You could ask them how they heard about your sale (this will let you know what form of advertising worked best), if there is anything in particular they are looking for, or even letting them know when items will be reduced in price. Never underestimate the power of a friendly greeting.

When all is said and done, hopefully you will feel the relief and satisfaction of de-cluttering, cleaning out, and maybe even making a few bucks for your efforts. Keep in mind anything that is not sold you can donate to a local thrift store and take a tax deduction.

**A special thanks to Charlene Schweikhart for her favorite garage sale tips. You can check out her website at www.enhancedbusinessresults.com.