Looking to sell your home this year? If you're planning on putting your house on the market like these Detroit Lakes and Edina homes for sale, you'll want to invest some time into decluttering. Clean, uncluttered homes sell faster and fetch higher prices.

Every second Saturday of August is National Garage Sale Day. It's a perfect time to get rid of unnecessary clutter and make some cash while you're at it. While garage sales sound like an easy endeavour, they can quickly become overwhelming if you haven't adequately prepared. To help you through the process, here are some tried-and-tested tips that will ensure a smooth, stress-free, and profitable clearance.

• Check Local Laws and Regulations
  Depending on where you live, odds are you'll need a permit to hold a garage sale on your property. It's important to check in with local authorities early enough to ensure you get the permit ahead of time. With a permit in hand, you can rest assured that things will proceed smoothly. Proceeding with an unpermitted sale could make you liable for three-figure fines. It's better to err on the side of caution.
  
  
• Advertise!
  The advantage of National Garage Sale Day is that people will be out and about in search of yard sales. Make sure to clearly indicate the location and time of the sale. It's also a good idea to state the payment methods you can take, be it Venmo or strictly cash, so people can come fully prepared. But, no one will come to your sale if they don't know about it. There are plenty of ways to get the word out, including:
  
  
  • Placing fliers around your town on local bulletin boards
  • Using Newspaper Classifieds
  • Sharing on social media – Facebook neighborhood groups are a great place to start
  • Posting ads on Craigslist, Nextdoor, Garage Sale Finder, and Yard Sale Search
  • Place signs across your neighborhood to direct people to your sale
    
    
• Make an Inventory
  To keep track of what you've sold and how much money you've made, you'll want to keep an inventory. Yes, just like a real store! Not only will this help you stay organized, it will help you guide people coming in search of certain items.
  
  Also, treating your garage sale like any other kind of shopping experience will make people shell out more money. People are more willing to pay higher prices when everything is organized and laid out by category. And it helps buyers spot multiple things they like.
  
  
• Name Your Price
  Speaking of efficiency, pricing items individually or in groups will make the buying process much smoother. Shoppers won't have to find you to determine whether they'd like to buy an item or not.
  
  Wondering how to set prices? Here's a tip: Don't be too sentimental about the items, meaning you end up overpricing them in the process. Keep things realistic and have a friend help you set the prices. And on the subject of money, pass by your bank and get some change. If you're taking cash, you'll want as many quarters, singles, and five-dollar bills as you can get your hands on.
  
  
• Be Prepared to Haggle
  People who frequent garage sales love a good bargain. Don't be unwilling to budge on your prices. Still, it's important to have a firm "bottom dollar" in mind to ensure you don't sell at a loss. In the meantime, work on your negotiation skills. You'll need them.

A garage sale can help you sell your home. By decluttering, you can stage your house better and attract more offers. Remember, people are more willing to buy a home when they can see all its features. If you'd like to sell your home, call today. Let us guide you through the process.