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Community Corner

Get Your Garage Sale On

Northbrook recycles itself every summer.

If April showers bring May flowers, what does May sunshine bring? June garage sales! Signs and balloons will soon be popping up on street corners directing traffic toward yards and driveways filled with toys, clothes, paperbacks and other cast-off treasures. This household purging sets the stage for bargain hunters as they begin their summer search for treasure.

This weekend, will be conducting Northbrook Garage Sale 2011, an annual three-day event where any in Northbrook resident can list their garage sale in a directory put together by the real estate firm.  

According to Bryce Fuller, a realtor for Coldwell Banker, the sale draws people in from surrounding areas and generates a lot of local interest as well. 

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“People call the office way in advance to put the date on their calendar,” he says. “We usually have 80 to 90 families that have signed up to have sales over the weekend and a directory and map are available. It’s a great time to do a sale because we do the advertising and it brings people into the area.”  

The garage sale directories will be available at Coldwell Banker’s office at 1330 Shermer Road in Northbrook beginning Thursday, June 2. Anyone wishing to participate should call the office at 847-272-9880 by Tuesday, May 31.

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Advice From Garage Sale Pros

Laura Callahan has sometimes held her garage sales during the realtor weekend, but this year she and her daughters were out the weekend before. 

Four generations of Callahan’s family often come together when they put together a garage sale. Seven families are represented, and family members include Grandma, mom, aunts, sisters and grandkids. The Callahans enjoy their time together just as much as the profits, Callahan says.

“It’s fun to all do something together,” she says.

The kids have fun too, manning a hotdog and lemonade stand.

“It’s a good way to get them involved,” says Callahan. “It gives them ownership of something and they have a say in how to spend the money they make.” 

This year her girls, Nora and Emily, are hoping to use their money for a new puppy.

 “You have to be careful, though,” warns Callahan. “One year my aunt had an expensive pair of glasses in a case and someone else accidentally sold what they thought was an empty case for 50 cents!”

Whether you’re a first-timer or an experienced pro, here are a few helpful tips to insure a successful sale, thanks to YardsaleQueen.com.   

  • It is best not to pick a holiday weekend for your sale.  People are busy with other activities and you probably won’t get a lot of traffic.
  • Spread the word! You can publish your sale on Northbrook Patch for free (simply add an event to the calendar).  Other free ways to get the word out include Craigslist.com and Yardies.com.
  • Make sure your signs are large and legible.  Definitely let the kids have fun making the signs, but be sure they can be read at a distance.
  • If you have a dog, keep it in the house or leashed in the backyard.  No matter how friendly Rover may be, some people are afraid of dogs and it may deter them from stopping.
  • Check books and shoeboxes for old receipts that may carry credit card numbers.  Check pockets of clothing for valuables.
  • Have an electrical outlet handy if you are selling used appliances. Customers will want to be sure they work.
  • If it’s a hot day, consider selling cold soda and water or have free ice water out to encourage customers to stay and shop longer.
  • Price your items and leave room for negotiation.  If items don’t have a price on them, many customers will not ask. And remember you can always come down on a price, but you can’t go up.
  • Start the day with lots of coins and small bills for change. It’s a good idea to use a fanny pack to keep your money in. Otherwise, keep your eye on the moneybox – shoplifters frequent garage sales too.
  • Have a calculator handy, old newspaper for wrapping breakables and plenty of paper and plastic bags.

For more ideas and tips visit YardsaleQueen.com or ask around for neighbors who are old hands at garage sales.  Most of all, enjoy the experience and feel good about reusing items and keeping them out of the landfills.  You can also feel good about the fact that there is no sales tax on garage sale items!

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