How to Have a Successful Yard/Garage Sale



Early, early, early!



So.. you have started your spring cleaning and realized that you have more and more extra stuff accumulating in the garage or the spare room.  It has value, so you cannot just throw it away, so what to do?  Donate it?  Give it away?  Perhaps your best option is hosting a yard sale.



Here are a few tips that can assist you in holding a successful yard sale:

1.  Determine your goals.  Does the thought of lugging all your junk back into the garage or house drag you down?  Then keep your prices quite cheap.  Perhaps you are trying to earn enough for a new lawnmower.  Then make sure your prices are fair and have some bigger ticket items to sell. A general rule of thumb is to price items at 1/3 of the retail value when new.



Street sales can bring BIG crowds

2.  Pick the right date.  You'll likely want to choose a date when it is somewhat warm (May through September, in Ontario), a weekend, and a date that is not competing with any other major community function like Oshawa's Ribfest (unless you live by Lake Ontario).

3.  Encourage neighbours to participate.  What's better than a yard sale?  Five yard sales!  You will generate much more traffic to your sale if you have a "street sale" or "block sale".  Just make sure you have encorporated each of these tips so your buyers stop at your table.

What, when, and where.

4.  Advertsise and promote.  Post at your local supermarket.  Free ads on kijiji and craigslist.  Don't forget to promote it locally on this facebook group.

5.  Understand your location.  If your home is on a busy street and/or parking is difficult, consider moving your cars so people have a place to park.  Think like the customer.  Would you stop if it were inconvenient?  

Live in suburbia? Street signs become much important if you live on a secluded court or you are off the beaten path.  Make street signs crisp, clean, and clear, with an address, and directional arrows.



Making a presentation



6.  Early bird gets the worm. Open early!  Garage sale hunters know the best bargains are scooped up within the first hours, and these early birds are hawks.  Cater to them.  They'll likely be your best customers.  Have change ready, you don't take VISA.

 

7.  Make a presentation.  Spread out your items on tables so they are easily seen, and can be easily browsed.  Price items clearly so customers don't have to search.  If they cannot see a price, they might put it down, and move on.



Leave the junk to Fred Sanford



8.  Don't make it a full-time business.  Once or twice a year should suffice.  If you hold one every weekend, word will get out that you are essentially Fred Sanford and nothing of value.  In fact, your neighbours will likely not appreciate the new business on the block, and neither will the city.

-Stephen

http://www.getstephen.com/

407 Extension. Why is it important to Durham Region?

Coming soon to Durham Region?

If you ask most citizens of Durham Region, you will likely get a response in favour of the extension of the 407 to Highways 35 and 115. 

But why?  Do we just want to win the fight?  Do we just want the Provincial government to follow through on a promise signed in 2007?  Or are there real, substantial reasons to continue this major highway?

In 2007, the Federal and Provincial government signed the FLOW Agreement to extend the popular toll-highway eastward to Highways 35/115 complete by 2013.  Recently, many of us are already aware, that the Provincial government has broken this agreement by breaking the extension into phases.  The proposed plan has the 407 ending at Harmony Rd in 2015, and then finally to the 35/115 by the year 2020, seven years after what was initially signed in 2007.



Proposed map of Highway 407 extension east



According to the Toronto Board of Trade, traffic patterns and gridlock cost Toronto $6 billion dollars a year in lost production.  New York City and Los Angeles, two of North America's largest cities have an average commute time of  77 minutes and 57 minutes, respectively. GTA residents face commute times that average 79 minutes.  A completed 407 would immediately increase production and literally have paid for itself in the first year, not to mention the saving of  valuable commute times allowing us all more time to spend with our families.

How do you feel?  Is it worth the fight?

For more information, click on the following links:

RAMP it up! Hwy 407 Campaign

Oshawa City Hall

Stephen Young

March Break 2011, a guide for Durham Region parents.

Ok, ok, I know what you are thinking, it cannot be March Break already.  I am sorry to inform you that it is true.  March Break has arrived. But this messenger isn't about to be shot.  I have prepared for you a few ideas that might keep the little ones interested long enough for you to keep your sanity for the upcoming week.



Chew 20 times before swallowing



Purple Woods:  This might be a good idea after the kids have overheated the XBOX360.  Open from March 10th-20th, what's wrong with a little fresh air and exercise.  Purple Woods is hosting their annual Maple Syrup Festival.  $3.00 admission ($2.00 for children 12 and under) is a modest price for one of Durham Region's best family getaways.  They even have a Pancake Tent where you can sample some of their delicious flapjacks.  $5.00 for adults (3 pancakes and a drink) and $4.00 for children (2 pancakes and a drink).  Wagon rides are $2.00 per person.





Let's...Go...You...Gennies!  (oooh)



Oshawa Generals:  You'll have to save this one for last since the Gennies are on the road most of the week.  Home games, however are scheduled for March 19th against the Brampton Batallion and March 20th against our arch-rivals, the Peterborough Petes.  Tickets can be purchased here in advance.  Make sure you say hi to me, if you see me at the game.






And here's to you Mrs. Robinson...   

Oshawa Community Museum and Archives:  Do you know someone that lives in Oshawa?  If you don't, then how did you get this far in the blog?  Oshawa's history is much more than General Motors, and  S.M. McLaughlin and you can marvel in the three houses at Oshawa's waterfront which depict how life was lived so long ago.  Museum is open for tours from 12:00–3:30 p.m, and there is an interactive play stations for kids. Admission is $3.00.



52 lanes?  Really?!



Neb's Fun World:  Wii Bowling might be fun and all, but can Wii let you race a go-kart, ride the bumper cars and have a hot dog?  Neb's Fun World has been entertaining children of all ages since 1989 and has been growing in popularity ever since.  Located at 1300 Wilson Rd. N, it gets quite popular during March Break so arrive early, even earlier than the official opening time.  It is a first come, first serve basis.  BONUS:  Take advantage of their new early opening special where you can get ride tickets for HALF PRICE.



Ooooh DOUBLES!  Roll again!





Quality Family Time:  Who says that you have to go somewhere to find a good time?  Stay home, play a board game with the family (I like Monopoly, hmmmm...wonder why?), do a jigsaw puzzle, bake some cookies, even play charades.  Ok, ok, now I am dating myself.  March Break is supposed to be just that, a break.  So why not spend it with your loved ones and invest some time with your greatest assets, yourselves.

Stephen Young



http://www.getstephen.com/

P.S.  If you end up actually baking some cookies, my office is at 360 King St West, Oshawa.

8-)



And so it begins...

Welcome to the official blog of Stephen Young, Get Stephen.

As a professional real estate agent living in Oshawa, and serving the entire Durham Region, my goal is not just to post informative information regarding the real estate market, but also to contribute on all news items regarding our community.

Comments, thoughts, and opinions are ALWAYS welcome at Get Stephen as long as it meets one imperative criteria:  keep the posts respectful and clean.  Otherwise, comments will be deleted.

Blogging is new to me, so please be patient as I practise my writing and communication skills.  If you already know me, you likely agree that I have an opinion on almost anything, so if you have an idea for a topic, please don't be shy.

So, what do you think so far?
8-)

Stephen
GetStephen.com