Now that the weather is finally starting to cool off in most of the country, it’s a good time to think about getting rid of some of that extra junk in your Garage. What’s the best way to do that? Why, by having a garage sale, of course. If you’ve got a ton of crap that you are never going to use again, why not make a few bucks off of it? Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your next garage sale.

Check for Permitting

Is a permit required to hold a garage sale or yard sale in your area? Make sure you check before you start putting out signs. Some cities require that you obtain a permit for a garage sale while others might limit the amount of yard or Garage Sales that you can host per year.

While you’re at it, talk to the clerk at your local police station to learn what you can and can’t do with your garage sale signs — some areas ban them entirely, while others limit where you can put them. If you don’t want to get a ticket, do your research first.

Advertise, Advertise, Advertise

Sure, some people will just go driving around on a Saturday or Sunday looking for garage sales, but if you don’t advertise your sale, you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers. That also means you’re also missing out on a lot of potential profit.

You don’t have to spend money on advertising though. Does your local community have a “buy and sell” Facebook page? Post about your yard sale there. Make a public post on your own private Facebook page or even put something up on Craigslist. The more eyes you can get on your ad, the more potential customers you’ll get at your garage sale.

Clean Up

Garage sales are a great way to get rid of junk and make space in your garage, but that doesn’t mean that you want to let your potential garage sale customers see the mess that is your garage. Not only will cleaning up and organizing your garage make it safer for potential customers to traverse, but it might also even convince them to spend more money. People, even those who are garage sale shopping for bargains, are likely to spend more money if your garage is clean and organized so they can find the items they want to buy.

It might not make you a millionaire, but it can put a few extra bucks in your pocket for something that might have only sold for pocket change otherwise. Wall storage, hangers or even overhead storage are all options to help make your garage look a little more well kept.

Take More Than Cash

How many garage sales or yard sales have you driven past instead of stopping just because you didn’t have any cash on hand? We’re living in the 21st century, why not take advantage of it? PayPal and Venmo allow your customers to pay for their purchases quickly and securely, and most banks offer transfer services now as well. Make it more convenient for those, like us, who don’t often carry cash. You’ll end up making more, and won’t even have to worry about making a trip to the bank.

Make Money While Cleaning Up

Garage sales are a great way to make some money and clear out a bunch of stuff that you’re never going to use again, as long as you do some preparation to make sure it goes smoothly. Do your research, advertise, look into PayPal and for the love of all that is holy, clean up your garage before you put out your signs.

Scott Huntington is a writer from central Pennsylvania. He enjoys working on his home and garden with his wife and 2 kids. Follow him on Twitter @SMHuntington