The Ultimate Guide to Yard Sale Like a Pro

It’s my favorite time of the year, when the heat takes off, pools are open, and yard sale season is in full swing. You know what they say — one’s trash is another’s treasure. Here are some tips to help you succeed.

The Checklist

⏰ Get up early. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a sale that has already been picked through. Getting up early also helps you beat the heat.

🚙 Clear out your car. You don’t want to be stressing about whether your new cool dresser will fit in your car because you forgot to take skis out of the back seat. Another tip, carpool and use a friend's truck in case you do need the extra room to bring goodies home.

💻 Make a plan. Sometimes, it’s fun to drive around until you see some yard signs. But it’s nice to have an idea where you’re going. People typically start putting out signs a few days in advance. Alternatively, I love a good estate sale — check out KSL, FB Marketplace and estatesales.net for places that will be a little out of the valley, but definitely worth it.

💵 Cash is king. It’s good to have on hand for those knick knacks that are a buck or 75 cents. Hit the ATM beforehand. It might even help you decide just how much you’d like to spend.

🤝 Bargain. It’s never off the table. People want to get rid of their stuff, and it never hurts to ask. Be kind when asking if someone would accept a lower offer. The worst they can say is no.

♻️ Bring reusable totes. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Most yard sales don’t have bags.