How to Hold a Successful Garage Sale

Spring is here! It is that time of the year again to get rid of all that clutter.

Garage sales can be a great way to get rid of clutter — and earn a little extra cash — before you sell your home. But make sure the timing is right. Garage sales can take on a life of their own, and it might not be the best use of your energy right before putting your home on the market. Follow these tips for a successful sale.

1. Don’t wait until the last minute. You don’t want to be scrambling to hold a garage sale the week before an open house. Depending on how long you’ve lived in the home and how much stuff you have to sell, planning a garage sale can demand a lot of time and energy.

2. Get a permit. Most municipalities will require you to obtain a special permit or license in order to hold a garage sale. The permits are often free or very inexpensive, but still require you to register with the city.

3. See if neighbors want to join in. You can turn your garage sale into a block-wide event and lure more shoppers if you team up with neighbors. However, a permit may be necessary for each home owner, even if it’s a group event.

4. Schedule the sale. Sales on Saturdays and Sundays will generate the most traffic, especially if the weather cooperates. Start the sale early, 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. is best, and be prepared for early birds.

5. Advertise. Place an ad in free classified papers and Web sites, and in your local newspapers. Include the dates, time, and address. Let the public know if certain types of items will be sold, such as baby clothes, furniture, or weightlifting equipment. On the day of the sale, balloons and signs with prominent arrows will help to grab the attention of passersby.

6. Price your goods. Lay out everything that you plan to sell, and attach prices with removable stickers. Remember, garage sales are supposed to be bargains, so try to be objective as you set prices. Assign simple prices to your goods: 50 cents, 3 for $1, $5, $10, etc.

7. If it’s really junk, don’t sell it. Decide what’s worth selling and what’s not. If it’s really garbage, then throw it away. Broken appliances, for example, should be tossed. (Know where a nearby electrical outlet is, in case a customer wants to make sure something works.)

8. Check for mistakes. Make sure that items you want to keep don’t accidentally end up in the garage sale pile.

9. Create an organized display. Lay out your items by category, and display neatly so customers don’t have to dig through boxes.

10. Stock up on bags and newspapers. People who buy many small items will appreciate a bag to carry their goods. Newspapers are handy for wrapping fragile items.

11. Manage your money. Make a trip to the bank to get ample change for your cashbox. Throughout the sale, keep a close eye on your cash; never leave the cashbox unattended. It’s smart to have one person who manages the money throughout the day, keeping a tally of what was purchased and for how much. Keep a calculator nearby.

12. Prepare for your home sale. Donate the remaining stuff or sell it to a resale shop. Now that all of your clutter is cleared out, it’s time to focus on preparing your house for a successful sale!

Reprinted from Realtor Magazine. Copyright 2008 All rights reserved.

Awesome View with Pool and Spa

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MORENO VALLEY, CA 92557
MLS# h07175588
4 bedroom(s) 2 bathroom(s)
Approximate Sq ft : 2,197

BACK ON THE MARKET...Priced to Sell....less than appraised value... Located North of Freeway 60, in quiet street. Awesome City Lights, view from Sparkling Pool and Spa and from Master Suite, a very relaxing atmosphere. Relax in the backyard patio or spa for an after work retreat. 2 bonus rooms, one adjacent to the master bedroom can be a master retreat/office/library. the other bonus room can be an upstairs TV room or extra bedroom. Cathedral ceiling and open floor plan, warm and inviting. Kitchen opens up to family room with a view of the pool and city lights. Wet Bar, fireplace, inside laundry room and 3-car garage.

55+ Gated Community at Solera

$289,000
1710 N FOREST OAKS DRIVE,
BEAUMONT, CA 92223
MLS# h07135005
2 bedroom(s) 2 bathroom(s)
Approximate Sq ft : 1,687

Professionally landscaped yard surrounds this lovely home in Solera at Oak Valley Greens, a 55+ Del Webb well planned community, a perfect retirement paradise. This turnkey , very clean house with a 10 ft ceiling, open floor plan has 2 bedrooms with walk-in closets, 2 full baths, a Den with double-doors, a Great Room, a utility room, covered Patio, a front porch, and a 2-car attached garage with direct access to the utility room. Gourmet Kitchen has Oak Cabinetry with raised-Panel Doors and pull-out shelves, under cabinet workspace lighting, Corian Kitchen countertop with cast Iron kitchen sink. The perfect Residence for comfort and fun in a Guarded Gated-Community with lots of amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Gym etc. Mexican Riviera Cruise for 2 to Buyers Compliments of Motivated Sellers for Escrow closing on or before end of March.

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Identity Theft, How to Safeguard Your Information

Identity theft is when your pesonal information is stolen and used without your permission and knowledge to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft can cost time and money, can destory your credit and ruin your good name. Identity theft is a serious crime.

How to safeguard your information:

• Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before discarding them.
• Protect your Social Security number. Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Give out your Social Security number only if absolutely necessary or ask to use another form of identification.
• Do not give out personal information on the phone, through mail or over the internet unless you know who are dealing with or a internet secured site.
• Never click on internet links in unsolicited emails; it is best to type in the web address. Use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect your personal computer.
• Do not use an obvious password like your birthdate, mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social Security number.
• Keep your personal information in a secure place at home and not readily available to others.