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I love going to yard sales on the weekend. But I love running yard sales even more. Some items make more money than others. It’s a lot easier to sell inexpensive clothes than random nick-nacks. It’s hard to know which items will sell and which won’t.
In many cases, the items I think will sell don’t, and those I believe won’t bring the highest prices and sell the quickest. Some things always seem to do well in yard or garage sales. We’ve built a list to help you in your next yard sale.
To curate this list, I chose items I’ve sold the most at yard sales and took some inspiration from U.S. News Money.
These are what I’ve found to be the 12 best items to sell in yard sales.
1. Gently Used Clothes
Who doesn’t want to buy gently used clothes for a reasonable price? Going to yard sales isn’t much different than attending thrift shops. However, in my opinion, yard sales are easier to manage.
You can also haggle in a yard sale. When I run them, I want to sell items fast. Just because a t-shirt is listed at $5 doesn’t mean you can’t buy it for $3.
2. Jewelry
You won’t find me buying jewelry in brand-name stores or for full price. But in thrift shops and yard sales? Count me in! You can see some of the most amazing pieces in yard sales for pennies on the dollar.
I own a beautiful opal amulet that I paid only $15 for, which is worth well over that amount. If you have old costume jewelry, display it at your next yard sale.
3. Legos
You are never too old to play with Legos. If you’re an avid collector of Legos and need more space, consider selling them at a yard sale. Collectors will drive across states to buy specific sets and pieces.
Even the more common Lego sets and pieces can earn you a pretty penny. I like bundling Legos when selling at yard sales. It’s much easier to eliminate a huge box of Legos than 20 individual sets.
4. Accessories
Do you also have too many accessories? Funny enough, while I never wear scarves, I somehow own seven. If this sounds like you, put them for sale!
Accessories are commonly found in yard sales. They are easy to price cheap and sell quickly. It’s a lot easier to convince someone to buy a $10 purse than a $100 table.
5. Books
While more and more people are turning to e-books, physical books are still cherished. Books are another great item to sell in yard sales for fast and quick profit.
I especially recommend selling more popular modern books. I’ve had the best luck selling gently used YA and romance novels.
6. Homemade Crafts
Many people look for homemade items made with love. Are you into crafting? Do you make your own blankets or pillows? What about wood art?
Yard sales don’t have to be just for gently used items. You can also sell items you’ve made by hand. My dad sells his paintings, and my best friend sells hypoallergenic clay earrings.
7. Baked Goods
People love homemade crafts and baked goods. However, you have to be more careful with baked goods since you never know what people are allergic to.
Still, if you advertise with signs that you have a yard sale and a bake sale, it won’t take long for a line to form. I’ve made cookies and brownies previously for a yard sale, and they sold better than everything else.
8. Pots and Pans
Pots and pans are not cheap, especially those made with high-quality materials. If you’re looking to make some extra cash and get rid of your pots and pans, host a yard sale.
No one wants to spend a lot of money on kitchenware. These pieces won’t last long in your yard sale. From my experience, pots and pans move faster than other kitchenware like glassware and utensils.
9. Furniture
Furniture is a tough one to sell, but it’s worth mentioning. I always recommend selling at least one big piece of furniture at a yard sale. The large piece can attract potential buyers even if no one buys it.
If you decide to sell furniture, post the yard sale with each big piece and their prices on Facebook Marketplace. Plenty of people are constantly browsing, waiting for a good deal.
10. Kids Toys
Have you been to a toy store recently? Or even the toy section of your local grocery store? Kids’ toys are pricey and yet cheaply made. I’ve seen new Barbie dolls go for over $30, and they look so much worse than the older ones.
If you have old toys you’ve been sitting on, now is the time to sell them. Yard sales are great for kids’ toys if you price them to sell quickly. You won’t get rich, but you’ll free up space.
11. Hand Tools
Another expensive item yard sale lovers are always hunting for is hand tools. My husband works maintenance and always looks for tools to make his job easier.
Instead of buying a new tool in Lowes or Home Depot, we browse weekend yard sales. It’s even better if you can post about the sale.
12. Appliances
Last but not least are appliances. Like furniture, appliances are tricky to sell in yard sales. People tend to turn their heads away since they are more expensive and large.
Still, it’s worth a shot. You can even list smaller household appliances like toasters, air fryers, coffee makers, blenders, and pressure cookers. I recommend having access to a plug to prove the items work.
15 Bizarre Items That People Bought and Sold on eBay
We all have an eBay account, but who still uses the platform? Traditionally, eBay was the go-to website to sell and buy used items. Now, there are many marketplaces for second-hand items, but eBay is the place where weirdness abounds. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen on eBay? I can bet it wasn’t as weird as some of these items.
18 Everyday Household Items That Are Surprisingly Valuable to Collectors
You don’t have to be a collector or hoarder to have several valuable things in your home. We all accrue many items over the years, some of which could be worth money. Even some everyday household items can be valuable, especially to collectors.
To help determine whether any of your household items are valuable to collectors, we’ve assembled a list of 18 everyday items you likely have in your house. Check out this list and see if any of your items can be turned into money.
13 Home Renovations That Are Not Worth the Money
There’s something to be said about making your home your own. However, certain renovation projects aren’t worth the money and time invested.
Being pragmatic about the projects you decide to invest in around your home can be a considerable challenge. There’s always the temptation to add the features you’ve dreamed of having. Then there’s the reality of costs, maintenance, and the long-term appeal of realizing your dream.
I approached compiling the way I would suggest anyone start when contemplating a renovation. I dug into years of real estate sale and construction data from the last few decades to see how costs have fluctuated compared to buyer demand for certain home features. These were the resounding renovation losers, not worth the money.
