There is nothing quite like a big move to spur a reassessment of everything you own. As you begin preparing to pack, you鈥檒l likely discover a myriad of items you no longer need or want. Don鈥檛 just toss the things you won鈥檛 be bringing to your new home. Instead, it is time to plan a mega garage sale. A pre-moving garage sale is an excellent way to declutter, reduce moving costs, and even earn extra cash to help with your moving expenses.

Planning Your Pre-Move Garage Sale

Pulling off a successful garage sale takes time, effort, and good planning. To start, choose the right day or time for your event. If your community or neighborhood already hosts a yearly garage sale event or swap meet, hitch your garage sale wagon to that train if the dates work for you. Otherwise, Saturdays are usually the most popular day to host a garage sale.

Start your sale early, around 7 or 8 AM, to attract early bird shoppers and make the most of the day. Most garage sales wrap up around noon or 1 PM. As the day gets closer, double-check the weather. If it looks like rain, storms, or extreme weather is coming your way, consider moving your garage sale to a different weekend. Poor weather keeps potential shoppers at home and can drag down your sales.

Finally, if you live in an HOA, check the rules to make sure you are allowed to host a garage sale. You may need to request a permit or adhere to specific rules and guidelines.

Preparing Your Items for Sale

Now that you have a date for your pre-moving garage sale, it is time to decide what you want to sell. This can also be a great opportunity to start organizing items for your move and deciding what (if anything) you want to move into self-storage (learn about ).

Choose What You Want to Sell

Go room by room and sort every item into one of several categories. Your categories may vary, but we suggest:

• Keep and move
• Keep and store
• Sell
• Give to friends or family
• Donate
• Toss

Be ruthless in your decision-making. If you have not used an item in a year or two or if it no longer serves you, put it in the 鈥渟ell鈥� pile. Remember, the more items you sell at your garage sale, the fewer things you will have to pack and haul to your new home.

As you sort through your belongings, set aside and dispose of any items that are broken, damaged, or heavily worn. Once you decide what to sell, check, clean, and repair each item as needed. Make sure all electronics work, games include all their pieces, and clothes do not have holes or stains.

Pricing Your Possessions

Be realistic and price your items to sell. People who visit garage sales are looking for good deals. If you are not sure what to price your items, a good rule of thumb is to price at least 50% below what you originally paid for them. You can also check Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, eBay, and Craigslist to see what comparable items are selling for.

Place clear, easy-to-read price tags or stickers on every item. Be prepared to negotiate, as many garage sale shoppers love to haggle, but always keep a firm minimum price in mind for every item.

Displaying Your Items

On the day of your garage sale, get up extra early and spend time setting out and displaying your items. Presentation matters. Your tables should look neat, not cluttered. Avoid piling or stacking items, like books, clothes, and games. If you can, display clothes on a clothing rack, set out shoes in pairs, and line up books, games, and puzzles.

Group like items together and use clear signage to indicate prices and categories. Consider eye-catching displays, such as showcasing a unique item on a decorative table. Get creative and help your garage sale stand apart.

Promoting Your Pre-Move Garage Sale

It would be sad if you put in all the work and effort to host a pre-move garage sale only to have no one show up. If you happen to be participating in a neighborhood garage sale event or local swap meet, the event鈥檚 organizer should manage most of the promotion. Otherwise, it is up to you to get the word out.

Online Promotion

Begin by promoting your garage sale online. Places to list your sale include:

• Online classifieds
• Craigslist
• Facebook Marketplace
• Nextdoor
• Facebook groups for your city or community
• Neighborhood text chains

When promoting your sale, highlight that it is a moving sale, which often implies a bigger sale with a wider array of items. Include your address, the time of your garage sale, and any notable items you will be selling. Post pictures if possible. Reach out to local friends and family members and encourage them to share the news with their networks.

Signs

Creating eye-catching signs is one of the most effective ways to promote your garage sale. Make your signs big, colorful, and easy to read. Write in large, thick letters so your signs will be readable to people driving down the road. Include a big headline announcing your moving sale, address, and the time of your sale.

Put your signs at the front of your neighborhood and along nearby intersections and busy roads. Use signs with arrows to guide drivers to your home, especially if you live out of the way or in a large subdivision.

Finally, put your signs up a few days before your garage sale so people have time to plan a visit.

Running a Successful Garage Sale

The big day is here. You have already done all your marketing, gotten up early to set out your items, and made sure your things are well-organized and clearly priced. Now, it is time to focus on running a smooth and successful garage sale.

Cashier鈥檚 Table

Set up a cashier鈥檚 table in a central location where you can greet visitors, answer questions, and handle transactions. Keep plenty of change on hand, including small bills and coins. Price items in increments that are easy to make change for, like $0.25, $0.50, $1, $5, $10, etc.

Many younger shoppers prefer using payment apps like Venmo and Zelle instead of carrying cash. Savvy garage sale hosts can cater to these shoppers by opening accounts and displaying printed sheets with payment app QR codes at the cashier stand.

Interacting with Shoppers

Greet visitors to your garage sale and let them know you are happy to answer any questions about the condition, origin, and age of your items. Remember, many garage sale shoppers are hunting for a good deal, so be prepared to negotiate and haggle. Always be friendly. It is okay to politely decline a lowball offer and suggest a higher price. Toward the end of your garage sale, consider offering bigger discounts to get rid of the things that are not selling.

Wrapping Up and Moving Forward

Congratulations! You have made it through your pre-move garage sale. Hopefully, you were able to successfully rehome your unwanted possessions and make a little extra cash in the process. Now you can move forward with deciding what to do with any unsold items.

If you still think you can sell the items, consider posting them on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or other online sales platforms. Price them to sell quickly, especially if your moving date is quickly approaching.

For everything else, a great option is to donate to a local charity or thrift store. Many organizations will arrange to pick up donations from your home. If you have anything you cannot donate or sell, your final option is to dispose of the items responsibly.

With your garage sale complete and remaining items taken care of, it is time to focus your attention on preparing for your big move. Hopefully, your home is a little less cluttered, and you have extra cash in your pocket to help cover your moving expenses.

Good luck with your move!

The post Before You Box: How to Host a Profitable Pre-Move Garage Sale appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Leaving the nest and moving for the first time can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the common issues and mistakes that come with finding a place to live, choosing essential furniture, and arranging your new space. It is an exciting and scary time! Use the tips and information in this guide to help with everything from packing your stuff to finding the perfect place. With the right advice, moving into your own place can be a seamless experience.

Choose the right place

Before you start discussing your moving plans with your parents and begin packing up, you鈥檒l need to find the right place for you. Here are some tips to help you make sure you鈥檙e choosing the ideal place:

• Look for a trusted local real estate company.聽 If you a renting, look for one that specializes in rental properties. They can help you choose an apartment based on proximity to things like your job and local amenities, such as shopping and entertainment. The real estate company will also help you find a place that you can afford and fits within your budget.
• Now is the perfect time to nail down your finances so you know how much rent you can afford. It鈥檚 also a good time to think about to help split the cost of things like rent and utilities if you can鈥檛 afford a place on your own. Sit down and write out a thorough budget, including your monthly income after insurance and taxes.聽 This will help you determine how much income you鈥檒l have left every month for rent, electricity, and groceries. Setting a budget before you move out will make finding the right place a lot easier, and you won鈥檛 need to worry about struggling to pay your bills.

Before you call the moving company

A moving company can help you take your belongings from your parent鈥檚 place to your new space. Before you call a moving company, keep the tips from this checklist in mind to ensure a smooth transition:

• Start by finding a reputable moving company to pack and move your furniture and other big-ticket items. Read several customers’ reviews online or ask your family and friends for recommendations. Get at least three estimates from different moving companies for the best possible price.
• Think about what you鈥檙e planning to take from your parent鈥檚 house to your new home and what you鈥檙e planning to leave there. Make a list of the items you know you鈥檒l take with you and put away the items you aren鈥檛 planning on bringing into the new place. If your parents don鈥檛 have room for your leftover stuff, consider renting a small storage unit to keep everything safe. Consider hosting a yard sale to make a little extra cash by selling items you no longer need. Donating clothing and other items to local charities is another great way to declutter before the move.
• Before you move into a new place, inspect it thoroughly and ensure everything is in good condition. Check the appliances and look carefully at the walls and floors for signs of damage. Make a note (and take pictures) of any damage and issues you find and notify the landlord of broken items. Drafting a custom move-in checklist ensures you鈥檙e not responsible for the repairs.
• Consider hiring a locksmith to change the door lock to your new place, if possible. Before you do this, check with your landlord because they may require access to your place in the event of an emergency. Changing the locks is a good way to protect yourself when living alone, in case the previous resident still has access.
• Set up your utilities in advance, including power, water, internet, and gas. Do this ahead of time, so everything is turned on and ready for you as soon as you move in.

Apartment checklist

When moving for the first time, it鈥檚 a good idea to create a simple apartment checklist so you鈥檙e prepared before move-in day.

• Decide where you鈥檙e going to sleep. If there鈥檚 more than one bedroom, which one should you choose to sleep in? If you鈥檙e getting a roommate, agree on who gets what bedroom before you move in to avoid misunderstandings. If you鈥檙e living alone, decide which bedroom has the most space for your bed, nightstand, dresser, and other furniture.
• Look carefully at the lighting in your new place. If there isn鈥檛 a lot of overhead lighting or it feels dark, supplement by layering your lighting using floor and table lamps. Plug-in wall sconces add a bit more light to a room and a nice, stylish touch.
• Stock up on essential bathroom supplies, including plenty of clean towels, a new shower curtain (and a shower curtain liner), and some soft, absorbent bath rugs. Make sure you have plenty of toilet paper, shampoo, soap, cosmetics, and other bathing must-haves before you move in.
• Ensure you have plenty of cleaning supplies, including a mop and bucket, a vacuum cleaner, a window cleaning product, and a disinfecting surface cleaner. Have plenty of dish soap, sponges, dish rags, and paper towels. When your, you鈥檒l appreciate it even more.
• Don鈥檛 forget the basic kitchenware like plates and cups, silverware, and a few essential pots and pans. Food storage containers are also a great way to save money by keeping any leftovers from the night before.
• Determine which small appliances you鈥檒l need, including a coffee maker, a microwave, and a toaster oven. Check that your new place has ample counter space and enough electrical outlets. Store unused small appliances in the lower kitchen cabinets and only take out what you need when you need it.
• Invest in a basic toolkit that includes a flat head and a Phillips head screwdriver, a small hammer, and plenty of nails and screws. Small household drills are also affordable and easy to use whenever you鈥檙e in a pinch.
• Think about the essential furniture you鈥檒l need to be comfortable. Essential furniture includes a decent-sized couch or loveseat, a bed, a dresser for clothes, and a desk and desk chair if you鈥檙e working or studying from home. If you don鈥檛 have a kitchen island, invest in a decent dining table or coffee table where you can sit down to eat.
• Consider which items you need right away, and which can wait until you get settled. Try not to spend too much money on non-essentials like d茅cor until you have all the basics covered first.

Dos and don’ts when living by yourself

Living alone can be fun, but it also comes with many responsibilities. Here are a few dos and don鈥檛s when you鈥檙e living by yourself.

• Do: Make a grocery list before going shopping, so you get only what you need and avoid spending money on the things you don鈥檛. Go through your fridge and kitchen cabinets before you head to the store to determine what you need.
• 顿辞苍鈥檛: Spend more money than you earn. Avoid racking up credit card debt because it will affect your credit score.  Your score is important if you plan to buy a home. Only buy items that are within your monthly budget.
• Do: Clean your place as you go and make small repairs whenever something breaks. It鈥檚 a great way to keep your place nice and ensure you鈥檒l back when you move out.
• 顿辞苍鈥檛: Allow your place to get cluttered and disorganized. Not only will this add to your stress, but it also makes coming back to your place unpleasant. Keep your new home as tidy and organized as possible by using storage baskets and bins, shelving, and storage furniture. Everything should have its place.
• Do: Be proud that you鈥檙e moving for the first time on your own. Invite your family and friends over and show off your new space. This is a big moment in your life – host small gatherings and get-togethers so the people you love can participate in your excitement.
• 顿辞苍鈥檛: Feel like you need to keep up with your friends or family members in terms of acquiring things like new clothes and fancy furniture. Stick to your budget, live frugally, and enjoy what you have. As you adapt and advance, you鈥檒l be able to invest more time and money into nicer furniture, a new flatscreen TV, and the other things that help make your new house a home.

Congratulations on your decision to move out of your parent鈥檚 house and into your own place. Remember the tips and information from this guide to help you avoid common mistakes and to make the whole experience go off without a hitch. With advance planning, a good attitude, and a proper budget, you can be sure that moving for the first time is the right choice for you.

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Your first year at college is one of the most exciting times in your life! Whether you are moving into the dorms at a nearby campus or moving across the country to try a new city, it鈥檚 important that you try to make your new home fit you and your new adventure. Of course, we all know dorms can be pretty tiny, plus you most likely will be sharing the space with another classmate. To be able to make the most of the room while staying comfy and productive, follow some of these tips for dorm decorating.

Color Theme

Just like with any space in a traditional home, you will want to think of a color scheme for your dorm. This will help you pick bedding, lamps, desk furniture and more. If you want a more simple look you can go with more neutral colors. If you have a more outgoing style, maybe a brighter color is better for you to liven up the space, such as yellow or bright blue. Can鈥檛 pick just one or two colors? Patterns are always a fun way to bring more personality into the room and can bring in several cohesive colors at once.

The Right Work Space

As much fun as it is to focus on the social aspect college life brings, it鈥檚 also important to remember…you鈥檙e there to learn! To make that easier and more efficient, you want to make sure you have a nice, neat work space in the dorm. Most dorms will provide you with a desk so don鈥檛 worry about having to buy one. But keep in mind, you will have to go out and find a comfy chair and a good lighting set up if that is not provided. Remember, you might be having to work with the lights off if your roommate is sleeping but you still have work to do, so lighting is very important.

Wall Mirror

A must-have accessory for dorm living is a wall mirror! There are plenty of affordable versions at any retail store that you can easily hang up on your door or hide in your closet and just take it out when needed. Most dorms only have shorter mirrors and most likely will be used by multiple people, so it can be difficult to get ready and be on time. With a wall mirror you can have a better view of your whole outfit and not have to worry about others鈥� schedules.

Photo Wall

Even if you go to a college closer to home, it鈥檚 easy to get home sick when you first move out and have to adjust to a new environment, all while meeting tons of new people and keeping up with coursework. A good way to bring some pieces of home with you and to remind you of the great support you have during stressful times is a photo wall. You can print out memorable moments with family and friends in different sizes or colors and hang them on one of your walls. This is also a much more affordable option when it comes to finding wall decor.

Hidden Storage

As mentioned before, dorms are small- no way getting around it. But there are so many options to make the most of small space and utilize hidden storage areas. The best option is always under your bed. There are different sized containers that are made to easily slide out from under the bed frame while keeping everything clean and organized. If your bed doesn鈥檛 allow for storage underneath, look to your closet and see if there’s anyway to reduce the amount of space your clothes use up, which will make room for more belongings.

Although you might not realize it now, that small dorm will become your home away from home and oasis. So no matter how you choose to decorate, just make sure you feel comfortable and it will all come together.

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That 30-60 day period between accepting a buyer鈥檚 offer and closing the deal is a busy time for both parties.

While the buyers are focused securing financing and making sure the house is as it appears to be, sellers are mainly concerned with 1) proving that they have the right to sell the property, and 2) making sure the buyers are aware of the true condition of the property.

Here鈥檚 an outline of what sellers can expect during the closing process.

Disclosure and Clear Title

First, you鈥檒l probably need to disclose any material facts about the property to the buyers. The requirements vary by state, but often include items like known water damage, structural issues and liens.

You will also need to address any clouds on title. If the title company finds any discrepancy in ownership or encumbrance that could invalidate your clear title, these will need to be removed before title can transfer to the buyer. Common title issues include things like foreclosure proceedings, liens from contractors who have not received payment for their work on the property, and probate issues when the owner of record has passed away and the house is being sold by the deceased鈥檚 estate.

Appraisal and Inspections

An appraisal will be completed (at the buyer鈥檚 expense) to assure the buyer鈥檚 lender that the property is worth the sales price. Sellers typically don鈥檛 need to do anything except make the property available to the appraiser.

The buyers will also probably want a home inspection, so the property will need to be made available to the inspector. Inspections often uncover maintenance issues in the home that may require repairs. The buyers will notify you shortly after the inspection to make any requests for repairs or to ask for a price reduction to account for the cost of the required repairs.

These requests are entirely negotiable. You can agree to some, or all, of the requests. Or you can refuse and risk losing your buyer. A good real estate agent is invaluable at this stage of the transaction. They know industry standards regarding who typically pays for what, they can offer practical advice, free from the emotion that goes with being the homeowner, and they can often save a deal threatened by the results of an inspection.

Waiting

At this point, you have a bit of waiting to do, typically a couple weeks while the seller works with their lender to secure financing. But you鈥檒l probably be so busy packing you won鈥檛 miss the hustle of the transaction!

Signing the Paperwork

Just a few days before the closing date, you鈥檒l get to sign the small mountain of paperwork that accompanies every real estate transaction.

It鈥檚 generally helpful to request a copy of the documents before your signing appointment so you can read everything through in your spare time. That way you won鈥檛 be rushed through while the notary waits for you to read the docs at the signing appointment.

Moving Out

That鈥檚 it! Now you just need to leave a few things for the buyers: keys, garage door remotes, appliance and system manuals and warranties, etc.

Then you can turn off the lights, lock the doors, and embrace a new chapter in your life!

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International. This post was written by Michelle Clardie.聽Michelle is a professional real estate blogger, specializing in ghostwriting Realtor庐 blogs. Her engaging content helps real estate agents become more visible online, generate more qualified leads, and increase their revenues. You can learn more at聽www.michelleclardie.com

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