How to Organize an Apartment Complex Yard Sale

You’ve spring cleaned your Chicago apartment from top to bottom and you’re now sitting on boxes of stuff you no longer need. While you could throw it all away, there is a better alternative. Why not organize a building or apartment complex rummage sale instead?

Yard Sale Planning

Yes, there will be some work involved in this prospect, but it can deliver some serious benefits. There’s nothing like a community rummage sale to bring neighbors together, get them out of their homes and get them talking. Plus, you can make a little money out of the deal!

So, how do you get started?

Get Permission from the Building Manager

The very first place you should start before setting a garage sale is in getting permission. Talk to your building or complex manager and obtain permission. This is important to keep you out of trouble and it might also pay off with extra help. Your manager might love the idea and want to post fliers, put an announcement in the newsletter or even provide advertising for the venture. You don’t know if you don’t ask!

Designate a Planning Committee for the Yard Sale

If possible, put together a small committee of interested neighbors to help with such things as set up, advertising and passing out fliers to residents. Create a Yard sale Checklist and delegate duties. It’s even possible you all will decide to make a block party out of the deal with every participant bringing a dish to pass or setting up an end-of-sale barbecue. Have a little fun with the planning and the day should go swimmingly.

Supplies you’ll need for your apartment garage sale:

• Tape Measure for shoppers looking for specific pieces to fit their spaces.
• Stickers and permanent Markers to price items for sale.
• Extension cords for electric items to be tested before purchased.
• Calculator to total purchases.
• Recycled boxes and bags and newspaper for items after they’re sold.

Inform Your Other Neighbors and Choose a Date

Now, once you have permission secured, your real work will begin. You will need to make sure all of your interested neighbors know about the yard sale so they can get cleaning and preparing too. Don’t expect everyone to get involved in selling, but do expect that they may be your best shoppers during the sale itself. After all, it is hard to pass up bargain items! When setting the date of the sale, make sure to put it far enough in the future to give people time to prepare. At least a two-week notice is a good idea. Three or four could even be better.

A community yard sale in a Chicago apartment complex is an excellent way to get neighbors out and talking with each other. Even this most simple of events can go a long way in building up a sense of community and camaraderie among neighbors. Make sure to get permission and enlist some help in the planning and the event should be very worth the time involved.

Other Helpful tips for a Successful Day Selling:

• Also sell baked goods, hot dogs, coffee, soda, and water to browsers and buyers.
• Let the kids have a table that they’re responsible for, selling and pricing all of their items.
• Consider a “buy one get one” table and even a “freebies” box.
• Create attractive displays and group similarly priced items together for convenience.
• Make plans for the unsold items. Arrange for a charity truck to come pack up what’s left or box it up yourself and drop if off a Goodwill.

Other posts you might be interested in

• Easy Ways to Get the Kids Involved in Spring Cleaning
• How to Cook in Small Spaces
• Living in the Windy City: Men’s Outwear Fashions

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