Home Staging Begins with Decluttering: Tips for a Summer Yard Sale

If you are planning to sell your home this summer and you want your home staged to show off its potential, your first step is decluttering. Simplifying the items remaining in your home and presenting them in a way that will appeal to potential homebuyers is an important part of home staging and the sales process. This is true of both traditional home staging and virtual home staging. One of the best ways to declutter your home is to plan a summer yard sale. Here are our 4 tips for a summer yard sale that will help you maximize your efforts and minimize your clutter:

Decide What You Want to Sell

If you are decluttering your home, you likely will come across a variety of items you forgot you had, or simply have not used in quite a while. Remember the old saying that “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” as you sort through your items. Here are some other tips:

• Sell Things you do not use. Specifically, consider selling items that you have not used, worn, cooked with, etc. in the past year.
• Create a “top 10” list. If you have a lot of certain items, create a top 10 list that will help you narrow down the percentage of a particular category of item, such as candles, picture frames, dishes, etc.
• Bring in a third party. If you have a difficult time sorting through items, bring in a friend or family member who is impartial, who can offer advice.
• Set a goal for your sale. Sit down with your family and create a goal for how the proceeds of the sale will be used.
• Let it go. When parting with items is troubling, remember the joy that re-homing an item can bring. If you find it difficult to part with items, such as your child’s old clothing or toys, consider taking a photo of the items, or keeping a small selection to be kept in a special place for your child later.

Choose the Right Date and Time

Generally, the weekend is the best time to have a yard sale. Choose dates that you know to be high traffic times for your neighborhood. Also be sure that you start your yard sale early in the morning, and continue it through the afternoon. This will attract more shoppers.

Spread the Word

To reach the most potential shoppers, do not settle for just running a weekly ad in the local classified section of your paper. Run an ad online at sites like Craigslist, Facebook, and community-based sites. Add photos to these ads so shoppers can see some of the best items you have for sale. Also, ask local businesses if you can post a flyer in their window. Use descriptive words in your ads, such as “designer”, “stunning”, “beautiful”, etc.  

Create Good Signage

Your signage can be representative of the items you have for sale. Avoid using cheap poster paper and markers, and opt for sturdy cardboard, stick-on lettering, or a pre-made sign. Post your signage the evening before the yard sale, and include the address. For extra visibility, tie a few helium balloons to your signs the morning of the sale.

With these helpful tips, your home will be decluttered and ready for staging in no time! To learn more about our staging services, contact us at 877.949.9797.