One of the best ways to save money when you move is to downsize as much as possible. This is also convenient because one of the best ways to downsize is to hold a moving sale, from which you can also generate some extra income from moving.
Between the money you save by not moving all of your stuff and the money you generate by holding a moving sale, you can generate enough income to buy new stuff when you arrive in your new location. Here are four tips to holding a successful moving sale.
1. Location, location, location
Where you hold your moving sale is of critical importance. If you live in an urban area or subdivision in a busy suburb, then you are in good shape. If you live out in the middle of nowhere, however, you might consider moving your moving sale into a busier area.
If you have a garage, that is the best place to hold your sale because you can stage it in advance and open the doors in the morning. It also provides shelter from rain and sun.
If you don’t have a garage, you can hold it in the yard or even in your living room if you don’t have a yard or a garage. If you are going to hold it inside your home, however, it is important to clear out space where the only thing people have access to is the items you are selling.
You don’t want items you are not selling to disappear mysteriously. Remember, if you hold a sale in your home, you will most likely have a lot of traffic and a lot of strangers in your home, so plan and prepare accordingly.
2. Timing is everything
If you happen to be moving in the spring or summer, you’re in good shape because that is when most people are out hitting sales. If you are moving in the fall or winter, however, you might consider holding your moving sale in advance.
Saturdays are generally the most popular days for sales and early mornings are better than afternoons.
3. Advertise everywhere
Just like any sales, marketing is key. Not only should you have numerous signs directing traffic to your sale, but you should also post it on online forums and even on local or community bulletin boards. The more people that know about your sale, the more likely you are to sell everything.
4. Use teasers
The likelihood is, you probably have a few high demand items to sell in your moving sale. These items can range from designer clothes and purses to lawn & garden equipment. Use these items as teasers to bring in more lookers.
Also, if you have a good amount of a certain type of items such as craft supplies or small kitchen appliances, you can list them as well. Just remember, even moving sales have plenty of competition for people’s time, attention and dollars, so you want to market your sale well.
The three important things to remember about holding a moving sale are timing, location, and marketing. The truth is, holding a moving sale is just like selling anything else. You want to plan it for a time that is convenient for the most people, in a location that is most convenient for them to get to and let as many people know about it as possible.