Finally we have some good weather. This weekend we will go into our garage and begin to pull out the stuff we need to open up our pool. This is always a dreaded weekend, as I am sure I will find many extra things that really don’t belong in the garage. Sweatshirts my kids dropped as they left in the car, roller skates and sleds that we don’t use anymore, pictures, area rugs and lamps that I use for staging my listings.  What to do with all this extra stuff???

Answer: Garage Sale!

Just like Antique Road show, not all treasures are worth something. So, if you are planning a garage sale, start with three boxes. Mark them as 1. Good Stuff we don’t need any more. 2. Garbage and 3. Free Stuff (things nobody in their right mind would buy, but maybe take.) If it looks like you have enough for a garage sale, here are some tips.

The keys to a good garage sale are:

Advertising: Local newspapers are the best. Most have a special section reserved for garage sales. Letting people know in advance that you are having a garage sale will get those early birds out and at your sale first thing. Make sure you advertise by listing a few key, anchor items that will draw attention to potential garage sellers. Examples would be a dresser or tools. Unless you have baby clothes, don’t waste your time with adult sizes, take those to a co-signment shop.   Note: before you put up signage, check with your town or village as to their rules for garage sales. Many places need permits.

Pricing: If people wanted to pay retail or close to retail, they wouldn’t stop at a garage sale! The idea is to get rid of the stuff you don’t want, so you can go out and buy more! lol. Have early bird specials like take $1.00 off if you buy five items. Make your pricing realistic, if not cheap.

Ask a neighbor: If you don’t have enough stuff of your own, why not ask a neighbor or two to join you. This way you will attract more buyers and have someone to talk with while you work.

Call 1-800-775-Vets: You can have the American Veterans of America pick up everything you have left over on the following day. It’s even tax deductable.

Be Friendly: I know that sounds obvious but each person who comes to your garage sale should be considered a guest. I always have a huge jug of ice cold lemonade and offer it free to all who are shopping.

Don’t forget to give me a call at 630.730.8027 and I will be sure to stop by. : )

Time to clean gutters

Last weekend I was showing homes in the Lombard and Glen Ellyn area. I was surprised at how many homes had visible debris coming out of their gutters.

Regular maintenance is the key to well working gutters. It is suggested that your gutters and downspouts are cleaned out in both the spring and again in the fall, once the leaves from nearby trees have fallen.

If you don’t clean your gutters and downspouts, the rain will not run off or drain properly and over time this can cause damage to your home’s foundation.

Inspect the gutters as you clean them, looking for any rust, holes or loose nails. Make sure they are securely fastened to the house. Run some water through the downspouts and make sure that the water running out of the downspout is being properly diverted with the use of a plastic or concrete diverter. You don’t want the water emptying out on the ground where it will cause erosion. A few hours on a nice day can save you thousands of dollars later. Your home is your most valuable asset; regular maintenance is a way to preserve it for years to come.

For the past few years, I have used Mark Keane of Keane Maintenance to do my gutters and have been pleased with his services. If you are like me and prefer someone else on your roof, his number is 630-595-1570.