When we were moving out of the S&B, we had 3 yard sales!! We also did an open house sale, I put a contact # on craigslist and the area where our house was and suggested they call for an appointment to come look at our 'for sale' stuff during a time period that both Jay and I would be home (never make apt's when you are at home alone) That actually worked out better than the yard sales, I had one lady that bought everything we had in the kitchen (except appliances) she even paid for it there and then, we weren't leaving the S&B for another two weeks.

We still ended up donating a full garage full of 'stuff' even after the yard sales/open house. It is hard work, but I had things I wanted to buy for the RV with the sales monies, so I wasn't 'giving it away' until I knew I had put enough effort into selling it
Good luck!!
huggs Kim x

A garage sale really depends on your location. We lived in a rural area where garage sales did not get much action no matter how much advertising you did. I sold much on eBay and Craigslist prior to listing the house and then once the house sold, we had an estate auction using a company that had a sale date plus took many of the leftover items to their resale shop. We still ended up donating a 2-1/2 car garage full of stuff to the Veterans Association. They took everything except the mattresses. We ended up taking those to the dump.

Won't you already need to have the house empty once it closes? Good luck in whatever you decide!

Just another caution with regards to doing anything with Craigslist.  Recently in Norman, Oklahoma, a man had posted a microphone for sale with a set-up to meet at his home.  An individual showed up and looked at the mike and asked if he could take it out to show to his "girl-friend."

The owner suddenly became very suspicious and went inside for a handgun.  He returned to the front door in time to see the couple driving off with his microphone.

That is when good judgement left him entirely as he shot at the fleeing couple, leading to his own well-deserved arrest.

Terry

We had several garage sales before we moved and made several thousand dollars so I guess it just depends on what you have and where you are selling.

We did both. Once we finally sold our home (5 offers and 3 contracts in 6 months after listing) we decide to do the Yard/ Garage/ Estate Sale and listed it anywhere and everywhere including Craigs List. This was after we had brought in several auctioneers and antique dealers to give us estimates on what our "stuff" was worth.

We did the sale on a Saturday and Sunday. On the Saturday we started setting up at 4 am and by the time we were just about ready to open up at 10 AM there were people lined up 3 deep around our property on the sidewalk (we had a corner lot). It got to the point that at 5 min to 10 I could not hold them back any longer so I just shouted "release the hounds" and all heck broke loose!

We pretty much sold everything except some furniture which we then called the local charities and donated to worthy causes. We still have some "stuff" in a small storage unit which we are slowly but surely wittling down with the goal to have no unit by the end of the year.

Good Luck and have fun!

-- Edited by bigboomer on Tuesday 12th of March 2013 04:28:17 AM

I'm in a similar situation in that I also have a 2 1/2 car garage filled top to bottom plus 5 rooms of cabinets and drawers and closets of stuff to get rid of. I'm happy to just donate it 99% of it and only sell the bigger ticket items (like the lawn mower and snow blower -- things I can't wait to never have to use again!!!). Only problem is that I don't have the resources to take all the stuff to a donation center, and none of the charities I contacted allow their drivers to come into the house, which means putting all that stuff outside for pickup (there's a bunch of electronics as well, which isn't a good idea to put outside if there's rain or even dew).

Does anyone have any other ideas? I don't want to call one of those companies that haul junk because even if I don't make money, I don't want to have to pay a few hundred $$s either.

If you just don't want to bother then Salvation Army is a wonderful group to help but you would be surprised how much you can make on the small items.We grouped small stuff in boxes and sold it for anywhere from 3$ to $5 per box.Got rid of a lot at one time and made a little money.

I think some of the success from garage sales depend upon where you live. In our area just cheap stuff sells. We're planning on 4 upcoming ones - as someone suggested on a different thread- 4 weekends in a row advertising there will be new things every weekend. Shipped some family heirlooms & collections to family members and taking 6 boxes to WA this summer for eldest son. Also advertising some things on Craigslist and having some success. Sold 400+ horse brass collection for scrap (ouch). Taking a truckload UHaul to sons guest house in Tucson and don't come to visit or we'll load your trunk up with free goodies as our family who is departing on Friday is quickly learning! The "junk" we collect!!

The rest goes to the humane society here and they will send a truck. We're finding that donations to charity does help significantly on taxes if you keep good, accurate records.

Good luck.

Sherry