Is your home or space full of white elephants or items unused since the last moon landing? Selling such items in a yard sale is a great way to get rid of these and at the same time, earn some cash.

However, holding a successful yard sale involves more than just hanging out a "Yard Sale" on a board and displaying it in front of a pile of clothes or toys. A little planning and some efforts will help ensure that everything is sold and nothing comes back in the house. Here are five simple things to keep in mind for a successful yard sale.

Collecting items: Start collecting items which are lying in your attic or garage or closet floors and analyze them. Make sure they are in good condition, before thinking of displaying them in the sale. This applies to everything from clothes and toys to books and electronic items. No one wants to spend his money on a very attractive lamp which doesn't work or an expensive sweater with a noticeable hole in the back.

Advertising the sale: Spread the word about your yard sale through newspaper ads and emails, local blogs, Facebook, and possibly Craigslist, to ensure that there will be enough people scouting through displayed items on the day of the sale. Use the help of internet to make attractive flyers, clearly mentioning the date, time and venue of the sale. Display them at various places in your area. Look for popular places, such as the grocery store, community center, as this will help you attract a good crowd.

Price articles right: When pricing your items, think like the customer. Remember, no matter how attractive or priceless something might have been in the past days, it is the present condition which will determine its price. Ask yourself how much you would pay for something and then price it accordingly. It is better to set the price a bit higher, as there will surely be negotiations and bargaining. Consider marking the remaining items down, when you've only 1-2 hours left in the sale.

Attractively display your merchandise: Displaying items neatly on racks or tables that encourage browsing. Using color coded stickers to write prices, will make it easier for the customers to choose items of interest. Appear approachable and be ready to compromise, as your goal is to sell as many things as possible. Lastly, make sure to enjoy the whole event, making it a pleasant experience for you and your customers.

Collaborate with friends / neighbors: The more 'stuff' the bigger the enticement. Call a few friends or neighbors and inquire if they might like to join the event. If they consent, be sure to advertise the event as a 'neighborhood' yard sale.

Want more help? Visit YardSaleQueen.com or YardSaleSupplies.com.

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