Countdown to Sale Say

1. Four to Six Weeks Before
• Unclutter the entire house for items to sell.
• Store your items in a chosen garage-sale area, which can be in your basement, attic or garage.
• Check with your city or township to see if you need to obtain a license or permit for holding a sale.
• Call your local newspaper about placing an ad, or see about putting up a notice on Web sites like craigslist.com (promotion should go on the Web no earlier than a week before the sale date).

2. One to Two Weeks Before
• Inform your neighbors of your sale. Offer to put up rope so no shoppers park on their lawns.
• Begin cleaning and clearing out the garage.
• Create brightly colored signs.
• Sort and price items.
• Gather grocery bags.

3. The Day Before
• Post fluorescent posterboard signs at busy intersections leading to your house.
• Get plenty of change and dollar bills.
• Set up tables inside the garage or around the yard.