Many people throughout the country have messy garages and attics. They have lots of "stuff" that is taking up valuable space in their home. Not only do the items create mass confusion, there is a potential of lots of money that just so happens to be sitting in your garage. Much of this stuff is no longer needed, but could be the perfect fit for someone else who needs it, perhaps your neighbor.

It is always advisable to check with your family before sifting through everything in your garage. You do not want to be accused of selling something a family member still needs, or worse, that has sentimental value for them. If you have items such as books or other paper, it is always a good idea to store them in storage boxes away from water sources or other areas where mildew may be a problem. Keeping them stored this way also keeps them safe from bugs, rats and the like.

Now that you have clearance from your family, separated out books, tapes, and other media, it is time to start thinking about "cleaning" out your garage and preparing it for the garage sale. It is always a good idea to gather like items first. Start with finding all the clothes, then move to the tools, appliances and so forth. Be sure that as you progress from each item to be certain they are clean. You will have a hard time selling something that is dirty or worn. You do not want to spend a lot of time on each piece, but making sure it is at least presentable will bring you more money in the long run.

Sifting through all the stuff in your garage can prove to be challenging. You may find that many items that you run into have a sentimental value. They may also be items that you have not seen in years. Remember, that the potential buyer will not see the item through your eyes. You need to determine what is more important, cleaning out your garage and making some extra money, or holding onto something sentimental. Some people are more sentimental than others. Just be sure not to sell or throw out something that may be valuable to someone else.

After cleaning out the garage, you will need to label the things you intend to sell. Be sure to price things to sell. Tools and furniture are going to be more expensive than clothing and trinkets. There are exceptions, such as antiques that will bring more money. It is advisable though not to sell your expensive items via a garage sale.

Be sure to enlist the help from your family when having the garage sale. Make sure everything is setup neat and orderly, priced to sell. You may want to price it a little higher than you normally would, just to leave room for negotiation. Most people who frequent garage sales expect a lower price than what is actually on the item, so be prepared for it. Be sure to promote and let everyone know about your garage sale. The paper is a good way to get targeted traffic to your garage sale. If a neighbor is having one the same day, you may be able to get some of their traffic without having to pay. But if you want to be certain people visit, an ad in the paper will surely bring you potential customers.