If the prospect of moving has you wondering how you can possibly pack a houseful of belongings B次元官网网址� including many you no longer use or want B次元官网网址� then fall garage sale season may provide the perfect solution.

While it takes a little planning and a healthy dose of elbow grease, the results can be worth it. Not only will you clear out some, if not most, of those no-longer treasured treasures, but you can also earn a few dollars to put toward your new digs.

For a few tips on how to host a successful garage sale, we checked in with Cassie Kangas, the recently crowned B次元官网网址淨ueen of Garagellennium,B次元官网网址� she laughs.

B次元官网网址淎t the top of the list is to be organized,B次元官网网址� says Kangas, a realtor with DFH Real Estate.

First, ensure the items you put into the B次元官网网址渟ellB次元官网网址� pile are ones you truly want to sell, since B次元官网网址渙nce theyB次元官网网址檙e gone, theyB次元官网网址檙e gone.B次元官网网址�

Approaching the date, youB次元官网网址檒l want to advertise B次元官网网址揢sedVictoria is a popular avenueB次元官网网址� and prepare easy-to-read signs for your neighbourhood. Kangas finds Saturday sales work better than Sundays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. seems to be a good time. But be prepared for early birds, whoB次元官网网址檒l likely arrive as early as 8 a.m.

As part of preparation, be sure to have all the items priced, either individually for bigger items or grouped with like items in a box or under a sign B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址渁ll pocketbooks 50 cents,B次元官网网址� for example.

B次元官网网址淧rice things realistically,B次元官网网址� Kangas advises, suggesting that as a rule of thumb, newer items in good condition might be around one-third of their retail price. Older items, or those in poorer condition, should be priced accordingly.

At the same time, B次元官网网址渂e willing to negotiate because everyone wants to go to a sale and feel like theyB次元官网网址檙e getting a deal.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 also a good idea to have a box of B次元官网网址渇reeB次元官网网址� items that tend to catch peopleB次元官网网址檚 eye. Remember also to have enough change on hand, including $10 and $5 bills, in addition to toonies and loonies, and keep the cash on you rather than in a box on the property.

When setting up, ensure the items for sale are clearly identified and not mixed with other items in the garage, and make it easy for people to move around, Kangas says.

If possible, try to have the sale visible from the road and have things elevated on tables and shelves, rather than laying them out on tarps, which can be difficult for people to look at.

For electrical items, have an extension cord so shoppers can be sure the item works. For clothes and toys, make sure the items are clean B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e much more likely to sell.

If youB次元官网网址檙e not sure if you have enough for your own garage sale, get together with a few friends or neighbours, since B次元官网网址渕ulti-family saleB次元官网网址� can be a big draw.

Finally, remember to be a good neighbour, Kangas advises. If youB次元官网网址檙e on a narrow street with limited parking, speak with neighbours ahead of time to let them know extra traffic will be expected for a few hours, and be sure to remove signs once the sale is done.

Once your sale is done with and your storage spaces are cleared of many of those unwanted items, itB次元官网网址檒l be much easier to prepare your home for sale. DonB次元官网网址檛 forget, less clutter is a sign of a well-kept home.

editor@oakbaynews.com

GREATER VICTORIA MARKET UPDATE 禄 MONTH TO DATE SEPT. 14/15   COURTESY VICTORIA REAL ESTATE BOARD

禄 275 / 565 -- NET UNCONDITIONAL SALES / TOTAL, SEPTEMBER 2014

禄 412 / 1,099 --NEW LISTINGS / TOTAL, SEPTEMBER 2014

禄 3,553 / 4,253 -- ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL LISTINGS / TOTAL, SEPTEMBER 2014