I’ve become something of a rummage sale expert over the past few years. Over the summer, I try to get out to as many rummage sales as I can to peruse cheap furniture, decorations, and other potential diamonds in the rough. I’ve seen a lot of outstanding rummage sales as well as a lot of poor ones, so I’ve started to gain a pretty good idea of what factors go into making a successful sale.

If you’re looking to clear out some space in your home this summer and make some extra money in the process, a rummage sale is a great way to do it. Just make sure that you keep these things in mind:

• Be organized. As a rummage sale shopper, there’s nothing more discouraging than heading up to a sale and seeing that it’s just a bunch of junk tossed randomly on a few blankets in the yard. How you organize your sale can really make a good first impression, and people will be more likely to stick around to browse at your items.

• Have plenty to sell. There’s not much use in having a sale if you only have a couple boxes worth of items to get rid of. For best results, pair up with neighbors.

• Make prices reasonable. There’s going to be the temptation to ask for too much money for certain objects. Just try to remember that your main goal is likely to get rid of these items, with the money you earn being a nice addition to the space you’re gaining.

• Use price stickers. Not only will it give people a quick view of how much you want for the items and prevent some haggling, but it will also show people what is and isn’t for sale. There have been several occasions where I tried to buy an item that wasn’t for sale because prices weren’t clearly marked.

• Advertise. Post signs around your neighborhood. Tell your friends. Best of all, post a listing on the rummage sale section of Craigslist. You’ll definitely get people to come and check out your selection that way!

Do you have any other tips for running a successful rummage sale?