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Real Estate: The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday A pril 5, 2006 - 13 A penny saver shopping mall Thesecrets to a successfulgarage sale It is probably the only time you can tered location, such as a garage, or having throw your unwanted items on your front an alternative location to quickly move your lawn without provoking a disapproving look items to in the event you do get showered from your neighbours. Instead, they'll like upon, could help avoid the cancellation of a ly saunter over with a pocket full of money planned event. To avoid last minute scrambling, make and a few cold beverages. This is what makes garage sales so appealing - they're sure all items you need for the sale are pre-. pared in advance. Some things that should equally fun and profitable. Garage sales are perfect for those plan be on your list include plastic bags for shop ning a move. Alternatively^ they serve as a pers, tables, boards and boxes to display your great incentive for those who have compiled items and markers and tape for sudden price a lot of extra `stuff over the years. They can changes. You can even prepare for price prove especially profitable if you begin with changes by deciding beforehand how willing you are to negotiate on your prices. In most a plan. It is essential to begin planning a few cases, you should have room to lower your weeks in advance so you have time to imple fees by 25 to 50 per cent. You will also need ment sales techniques, such as advertising. to decide what methods of payment you will The best way to advertise is by adding accept. Once you have your advertising complete unique touches to customary advertising ideas. Attaching an assortment of colourful and your basic items prepared, you can plan balloons to a sign, or using a catchy phrase your merchandising. This is an area that in your newspaper ad will help gener ate excitement. Your local real estate office can also provide you with garage sale signs. You should begin advertis ing about three to four days in advance of the sale. Be careful not to advertise Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Broker too early as this could cause potential customers to forget about your sale. Office: You will have to select a start and Direct: finish time for your sale. For maxi mum success, it is suggested to begin around 7 am, as most garage sale goers are early birds. A plan will help you prepare for the unexpected, such as a rainstorm. Simply setting up your sale in a shel can separate profitable garage sales from ordinary ones. For example,.to attract cus tomers you should display your most unique and interesting items close to the street, where they will be easily spotted. Take advantage of product placement by placing children's toys next to women's clothing, which should help keep children occupied while their mothers shops. Although clothes are often difficult to sell at garage sales, you can improve your chances by neatly hanging and showcasing the gar ments rather than pilling them up. Grouping similar items together will make the shopping experience more pleas urable and familiar to those who frequent department stores. Place all similar items together, just as they are done in your favourite store. ^ To ensure that people stay long enough to peruse over all your goods, make sure COOPER Real Estate ...The Bottom Line they're comfortable. On a warm day, offer cold glasses of lemonade and juice. For the early birds, have coffee and donuts on hand. To keep the atmosphere lively, not to men tion original, play music in the background throughout the day. These simple tactics will make your garage sale more profitable for you, and more pleasurable for .your customers and neighbours, giving them one more reason to drop in for a visit. , Dan Cooper is an associate broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. Dan can be reached at 905-338-3737. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article; however, the infor mation is general in nature. Please seek pro fessional advice relevant to your specific sit uation.^ Sales Representative 905 . 338.3737 905 . 849.3357 WELL MAINTAINED FAMILY HOME! V is it w w w .W e s tG T A h o m e v a lu e .c o m Hom eLife Realty Centre Corp. Call Kate 905.849.3357 FIRST TIME BUYERS! Call Kate 905.849.3357 WALK TO DOWNTOWN! Call Kate 905.849.3357 {in vis # Low M ortgage Rates a re just the beginning 5 y ea r variable QUIET CRESCENT! Call Kate 905.849.3357 BACKS ONTO GREENSPACE! Call Kate 905.849.3357 GREAT FAMILY HOME! 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