How to Have a Pre-Move Garage Sale in Bad Weather

Are you planning a pre-move garage sale? Does the weather forecast call for rain, cold temperatures, or something worse? Before you start the planning process, take a look at what you need to know about pre-move garage sales, the weather, and your options.

Should You Have a Garage Sale Despite the Weather?

The weather outlook isn't clear and sunny. Should you go ahead and schedule a sale or just move without having one? If you're not sure whether the weather forecast outweighs the need for a pre-move sale, consider:

• The number of items you need to sell. If you only have a select few picks to declutter, you may want to skip the sale. However, if you have a full yard’s worth of items, you may need to find a way to go ahead with the event.
• Your other decluttering options. A garage sale isn’t the only way you can remove the clutter from your home. If the weather won't cooperate, you may need to consider donation, private sales, an online auction, recycling, or upcycling.
• The other overall options. You don't always have to remove seldom-used items completely from your home. As you declutter, think about what you can keep and store. Instead of selling everything, rent a storage unit to hold some of the overflow.
• The severity of the weather. A little drizzle shouldn't stop your pre-move garage sale. Use the severity of the forecast to guide your decision. If the prediction calls for gusty winds, hail, freezing temperatures, or other wild weather, a garage sale probably won’t work.
• Your yard. Do you have a wide-open yard with absolutely no cover, or can you hold the garage sale in an actual garage? An indoor-outdoor option may provide the protection you need to go ahead with the sale.

If you won't let the weather get in the way of your plans, you're ready to take the next step and start the planning process.

How Should You Plan a Garage Sale?

More specifically, how should you plan a garage sale with a not-so-great weather forecast? To make the most of this pre-move event:

• Declutter. The purpose of the sale is to lighten the moving load. This means you need to declutter your soon-to-be old home. Look for items that are in usable or decent condition. If you're sure you won't or can't use these picks, separate the items and mark them as "for sale."
• Create an inventory. Organize your sale and your move with an inventory. Categorize everything you plan to sell and the items you will keep. Use an app, spreadsheet, or make an old-fashioned paper and pencil list.
• Choose the best day possible. Review the coming forecast and pick the best day possible. Even though the weather prediction isn't 100 percent accurate, you can use the likelihood of rain, cold temperatures, or other types of weather to plan your garage sale.
• Advertise. Plain paper signs may fall apart in the rain. With bad weather on the horizon, use laminated posters or online advertising options to market your sale. You can also post the event on social media pages and local community sites.
• Find cover and warmth. Again, if you have a garage you can hold a completely covered sale. However, if you don't, consider other options. A sturdy tent can keep the rain away and outdoor patio heaters can keep your shoppers warm.

If your moving date comes before you need to completely vacate the property, simply push the garage sale back. Put the to-sell items in one room and ask the movers to leave these picks where they are. Schedule the sale after your move — and when the weather clears.