Summer’s here. And that means it’s time to break out the swimsuits, the flip flops, the shorts, the tank top and….. the yard sale signs! Yard sale signs?

Yes, that’s right. It’s yard sale season, which is good news for anyone selling their home. Anyone who has ever had to pack up and move to a new home understands that you don’t know how much stuff you actually own until you have to compile it into boxes.

Call them what you will–yard sale, garage sale, rummage sale—but know that these events can help with the frustration of packing up and moving because you can sell everything (or almost) everything you don’t want to take with you and make a little extra cash while you’re at it!

By following these tips, you can have a successful yard sale–and a lighter moving day!

1. Find out your community’s restrictions and laws for yard sales. Before you start planning, do a little research to find out if there are restrictions on sign postings, times, size of sale and things of that nature. You don’t want to have to shut down because some rule was overlooked.
2. Go through your entire house and collect sale items. Look at everything you have and decide if you really need it in the next house. This can be tougher than it sounds. Don’t let sentimentality get in the way. It may have meant something to you at one point, but if the item has been sitting in the back of your closet since 2005 it’s time to let go. Also, you’ll regret not getting rid of something once you go to pack, and you realize you don’t actually care as much about the item as you thought you did.
3. Once you’ve got all of your yard sale items collected, it’s time to set a date. Weekends are usually the best time of the week with Saturday being the most popular. Try not to schedule your yard sale around a holiday weekend or an important community event. Check the weather forecast too. Then, based on your community’s rules, decide on the times of your yard sale and how long it will run for. Will it be an all-weekend event or just one day?
4. You’ll want to start your sale early. People expect yard sales to begin early-to-mid morning so make sure you’re on par with others. Seasoned shoppers sometimes even like to show up early to scope out the goods. If you don’t mind this, then don’t worry, but if you don’t want anyone around until the time you open, you can mention no early birds in your advertising.
5. Once all the details are set, you’ll need to advertise. No one will come if they don’t know it exists right? You can list your sale online, take an ad out in the local paper and post the details on free community bulletin boards. Use word of mouth by telling friends and neighbors to tell their friends and neighbors. Of course, still use signs too. Don’t overdress them and make them out a durable material. You’ll want people to be able to read your sign clearly and you’ll also want the sign to last.
6. Make sure the items you’re going to sell are in decent condition. If something is dirty, wrinkly or just plain gross, it’s going to stop people from buy it. To ensure this doesn’t happen, wash all clothes you plan to sell, put any dishware through the dishwasher, clean off dirt and grime from things that have been sitting in a corner collecting dust and just give everything a general once over. Just remember, appearance can be a deal-breaker.
7. Set the stage for your sale. It will look more organized and inviting this way. Anything antique put out on front; it will attract people. Set like items together. For example, group all clothes together and organize them by age and/or gender. Baby clothes, teenage girl clothes, men’s clothes, etc. Other groups can include movies, books, toys, shoes or household items. Use plastic baggies to organize small items like jewelry. Remember to put a price on every item and price it fairly because you want it to sell. Again, don’t let sentimentality for an item cause you to price it higher than it ought to be priced.
8. Make sure you have enough change on hand to give back to people. You don’t want to look silly if you can’t make change for someone who’s willing to buy something. Head to the bank before your sale and get about $50 worth of coins and small bills.
9. Although you mean business, you also want your yard sale to be fun. The more fun people are having, the happier they’ll be. And the happier they are, the more willing they are to buy! Bring out a stereo and turn up the tunes. Put some balloons out front on your mailbox. Make small talk with customers who stop by.
10. Start a “to donate” pile. Most likely, you will not sell everything you set out. In this case, every hour or so, take the items that don’t seem to gain any interest and put them in a separate pile. You can call the Salvation Army to pick up the items or donate the items to different charities.
11. Don’t host a yard sale alone. Unfortunately there are people out their who like to pull yard-sale scams so it’s always a good idea to have someone run the sale with you to keep an eye on things and keep you company.

Remember, your trash is someone else’s treasure. So get out those flashy, yet readable, yard sale signs, make some extra moving money and get rid of extra baggage before the big move!

Even in today’s tougher market, people are still starting out, moving, transferring and upgrading, selling and buying homes as they do. In fact, there are all kinds of different, still-common reasons that prompt browsers to become buyers, whether a first-timer or someone who has to sell and buy.

Whether you’re one of these buyers, a seller or just someone looking for some perspective on the real estate market, consider these circumstances that make people buy.

1. FIRST-TIME PURCHASE: It’s the American dream to own your own home, and many renters nationwide work toward that eventual goal. When it comes time to buy, these future homeowners start their hunt, looking for their first places.

2. NEED MORE SPACE: There’s a reason they call your first place your “starter home.” You start out with it, and, as your household and its possessions grow, you move. It’s probably the most common situation that makes people relocate. Lack of space prompts homeowners to start looking for something bigger, better equipped to meet personal needs.

3. WANT A NICER PLACE: Americans are known for wanting the biggest and best of things, and this is especially true of houses. Sometimes moving can mean getting a fancier kitchen or a larger closet, without the hassle of renovating.

4. RELOCATION/JOB TRANSFER: With today’s work force changing jobs several times throughout their careers, relocations are a part of life. Whether moving within the area, to be closer to work, or transitioning to a new state where a job is located, homeowners find themselves packing up and starting over.

5. LOCATION/NEIGHBORHOOD: Sometimes, moving can mean being closer to friends/family or nearer local conveniences. Alternatively, moving can give you a location further out from busy cities and out in the country. Similarly, as time goes on, neighborhoods change. For people who aren’t thrilled with the changes, moving may be the way to find an area they do like.

6. FINANCIAL ISSUES: Sometimes, a buyer may wish to relocate to downsize current mortgage payments. A growing problem nationwide, variable-rate mortgages and high interest rates have forced some homeowners to change living situations.

7. COMBINING LIVES: Shared living arrangements often go hand-in-hand with serious relationships and marriages. This can often mean one or both parties will choose to leave their current home(s) and find one together.

8. DIVORCE: Divorce is a reality today, and with it come the complications of home selling. Often, a couple will sell the home to arrange for the division of the proceeds.

9. DOWNSIZING: It can become increasingly difficult to maintain a large home, and different seasons of life prompt homeowners to downsize to condos, townhomes and smaller places.

10. RETIREMENT: As older age approaches, people want to retire to new locations or more easy-to-maintain residences. With so many adult communities popping up across the nation, the options abound!

What about you? Are you looking for your next place? Head over to Buyowner.com to see what’s available!

And if you’re also selling a home, consider using Buy Owner, the leading FSBO company in the nation, to help you market your home best!

Imagine. Summer vacations and weekend getaways to your home away from home, where you can come and go as you like, with anyone you’d like, whenever you’d like. Picture yourself escaping from it all to the peace and privacy of your second home, where you don’t deal with crowds or annoyances or no vacancies.

These are the dreams of [second] home ownership.

In today’s society, owning a second property, whether for investment or vacation purposes (or both) is growing more and more popular. There are a lot of benefits, from convenience and comfort to financial equity and savvy savings.

How can you know if you should take the plunge? And what issues are worth investigating before you dive into a new mortgage?

Step One: Be informed about the market.

Learn everything you can about the location of your potential purchase. Is it a tourist area? What are home sales like? Does the area tend to appreciate much? A good buyer is an informed buyer, so do your homework.

Also, if you’re looking to purchase mainly for the investment opportunity (aka, resale value), you’ll want to buy in a hot area, where there is strong demand. Be on the lookout in communities near popular attractions or with great vacation weather.

Step Two: Know what you can afford.

The same rules that apply to buying your first home come into play here. Talk with qualified mortgage professionals at Buy Owner’s authorized mortgage company, Guaranteed Rate. Then, armed with the knowledge of what you can spend, you’ll be able to decide what you want to spend.

Step Three: Evaluate your needs.

How often do you vacation, and what’s your typical vacation budget like for a given year? Will buying a second home prevent you from alternative trips, and is that OK? What do you want from this purchase–a weekend getaway, a summer cabin or a rental property? Crunching some numbers and working through different scenarios can make all the difference in how confident you feel about going forward.

After you’ve researched and evaluated the market and your needs, if you’re ready to buy, what should you do?

Head over to Buyowner.com to search through the best of the for-sale-by-owner listings available! Whether you want an oceanfront condo or a rural country estate, Buy Owner has it all!

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If so, maybe you should consider living in a condo or a townhome.

Condos and townhomes provide an ideal living arrangement for anyone who doesn’t want the commitment that comes with owning a traditional home. The biggest advantage of living in a condo or a townhome is that it’s a lot cheaper than owning a house. You can move in right away, and you instantly become part of a community that may offer amenities you might not be able to afford otherwise, like a pool, a fitness center and/or 24-hour security. Some condominium complexes even feature grocery stores and restaurants right inside the building, so you can benefit from all modern conveniences without ever having to leave home!

Townhomes and condos each have their own advantages. It’s really just about finding what suits your needs.

Why Choose a Townhome?

You might prefer living in a townhome if you are looking for more independence, as there are probably not as many rules and restrictions as a condo complex might have. Plus, townhomes aren’t usually as noisy because there aren’t as many common walls between neighbors. You enter your home through your own front door, as opposed to a condo entrance that opens to the main lobby. You will most likely have your own parking space or maybe even a garage, so you won’t have to search for a spot in the lot. And townhomes usually feature front and back yards, although they are smaller than those you would find at a traditional home.

Why Choose a Condo?

While townhomes are more appealing to some people, condos are not without their advantages. For one thing, the exterior is completely maintenance-free, so you won’t have to worry about taking care of an expensive lawn. The social aspect is enticing as well, as residents immediately become part of a special kind of community when they move into a condo complex. Plus, condos often boast more attractive locations in thriving downtown areas, and many of them provide breathtaking views that you wouldn’t get at a townhome or a traditional home.

The past decade has seen the most significant area improvements, such as the $100 million addition to the Milwaukee Arts Museum.There is more than meets the eye in the arts scene of Milwaukee, with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Ballet, and the Milwaukee Shakespeare company as just a few of the many performing arts companies in the area.

Also known as the “City of Festivals,” Milwaukee is home to Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world. Over one million visitors come to town every summer, earning it a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. Countless other festivals occur throughout the summer months, rivaling much larger surrounding Midwestern cities and towns.

Milwaukee is home to the Miller Brewing Company, the second-largest distributor in the country. Because of this, a brewing culture dominates the area, with several microbreweries serving up local drinks around town. Major schools like University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University have created an active nightlife in several hot neighborhoods, including Bay View, River West, and the Historic Third Ward along the river. With restored industrial buildings turned into trendy lofts and boutiques, Milwaukee is full of culture, class, and a neighborhood feel throughout its new urban landscape.

A rich history and a bright future make Milwaukee a one-of-a-kind Midwestern oasis, not far from the metropolis of Chicago. Take in Wisconsin from a “Great City on a Great Lake!”

Head to Buyowner.com to check out current for-sale properties in the Milwaukee area!

Chicago was once the most formidable locale in architecture and design, and you can see the most impressive architectural feats from Lake Michigan and the winding Chicago River. Summers in Chicago are truly spectacular, with street festivals, free movie screenings, and a bustling lakefront that provide cheap and diverse entertainment for the warmest months of the year.

Once known as an industrial hub, Chicago has been given a new look by recent development. Older brick buildings have been renovated into trendy lofts, while quieter neighborhoods have been revitalized by new business and residents. High-rises, condominiums and single-family homes are being built every year, and residents are finding more and more art, culture, and entertainment in each neighborhood.

Chicago is also known to have a bustling art community, with over 35 galleries in the West Loop alone. Rush Street, Michigan Avenue, and the lakefront have historically housed the rich and the famous, with top-notch bars, restaurants, and shopping within walking distance of each other.

Today, Chicago is home to a bustling film and tourist industry, with celebrities often living in or passing through the Windy City. The Chicago theater scene has produced several film and theater celebrities, and spawned the Second City, one of the largest comedy theaters in the country. Several Loop and off-Loop productions have been featured on Broadway, and Chicago maintains a solid breeding ground for entertainers of all kinds. With the height of urban culture at your fingertips, Chicago brings you the best that the Midwest has to offer.

Check out hot for-sale properties in the Chicago area at Buyowner.com!

Indianapolis is the 13^th largest city in the U.S. and is fast-growing as a result of revitalization, combined with an attitude all its own. It’s situated on the original East-West road in the country, where the city’s crossroads have made suburban access surprisingly easy compared to other cities of its size.

Several universities are located within Indianapolis, such as Butler University, Indiana University-Purdue and the University of Indianapolis. With a vibrant academic community, this city has overcome its roots in the Rust Belt and has built a thriving economy in the media and service economy.

At the center of this revitalized economy is a growing interest in the history and tourism within the city; the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, for example, is one of the oldest in the city, and much development in the city has been directed around this prized historical monument. The White River has also been a desirable district to live around, with the White River State Park offering some serenity in the midst of the urban landscape.

Filled with countless racing fans, this city is a hotbed for amateur and college sports. Home of the Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis boasts a rich sports history and culture, with basketball, football, and racing as a true pride of the city. The widely successful Indianapolis Colts have put Indianapolis on the map yet again, and sports are a significant part of this vast city’s urban economy.

With over 650 square miles of land, Indianapolis boasts an area larger than New York City and Chicago, and it has plenty to offer from end to end.

Now’s the perfect time to check out Buy Owner’s Indianapolis homes for sale by owner!

Home to a wide range of cultural, historical, and recreational activities, Atlanta offers something for everyone! Sports enthusiasts will delight in taking in a Braves, Falcons or Hawks game. Also well-known for its live music scene, Atlanta boasts a vibrant nightlife, with clubs, renowned restaurants, lounges and music venues open late into the evening.

Several attractions unique to Atlanta truly set the city apart. Sample soft drinks from around the world at the World of Coca-Cola, newly situated next to the Georgia Aquarium. Future newscasters can get a look behind-the-scenes at the headquarters of CNN and Headline News. At the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum, you can tour the mansion where Mitchell wrote her Pulitzer prize-winning novel Gone with the Wind. Centennial Olympic Park is famous for holding the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, and today it features events and activities that make it a year-round gathering place.

Even the city’s shopping selection is unique, evident at Underground Atlanta, where six blocks have been transformed into an underground marketplace with specialty stores and restaurants. Providing the utmost in Southern comfort and hospitality, Atlanta is a sophisticated city that is constantly changing.

Head to Buyowner.com right now to check out Atlanta properties listed for sale by owner!

The City of Brotherly Love welcomes you! As the sixth most populous city in the U.S., Philly is a city rich with American history, with food, culture and Colonial architecture to match.

It’s situated on the Delaware River, providing several homes and businesses with waterfront property, while a vibrant industrial economy churns beyond the waterway. Philadelphia is also the northernmost city that falls in the humid subtropical region, allowing for very modest winters and spectacular summer months.

Each Philadelphia neighborhood boasts its own unique charm, with stately Victorian-style homes next to contemporary showcases, colonial row houses and city skyscrapers. 

Fantastic bars are never far away. With a vibrant nightlife and cuisine that could only come from a place like Philly: try the local water ice, a local delicacy, after you gorge yourself on a world-famous Philly Cheesesteak. After that, you can take a walk by the riverside, or through the beautiful, historical campus of the University of Pennsylvania.  As one of the finest college towns in the country, Philadelphia offers an academic atmosphere coupled with industry and innovation.

Two major lines of transportation, the Septa and the Patco systems, provide service to the surrounding suburbs, as well as the nearby hub of New York City.

Philadelphia has the third oldest public rail line in the country, while the city itself was designed with wide roads and open spaces, in order to imitate an English country garden. While there are few country gardens to be seen today, there is plenty to experience in this significant piece of American heritage.

Head to Buyowner.com right now to check out Philadelphia properties listed for sale by owner!