Have you considered participating in a multi-family yard sale? Since you probably have some things to get rid of, why not make some extra money too? A few great things about a group sale is that the cost of advertising is reduced, more people will come because of the variety of items available, and it provides an opportunity for a good old-fashioned block party.

But with so many yard store fronts, how can you make sure that your lawn draws the attention of bargain shoppers on the prowl? The success of a yard sale depends on many factors, including the location, weather, merchandise, set-up and pricing, so don’t fret, because you do have control of the latter three.

Merchandise: Putting a few men’s items, such as tools, lawn stuff, or fishing gear out front helps to draw in the men. There are lots of couples who go to yard sales together, so putting macho stuff out front gives you more of a shot at getting the men involved, instead of them nudging the wife to hurry up.

Presentation is everything: Put some of your larger items out front and your merchandise should be clean. It is a big turn off going to a sale with lots of dirty, unwashed stuff. You should also try to have as much merchandise as possible. Many people do a "walk-by" on sales they think are too small to have much hidden treasure.

Set up: The way you display things can really have an impact on your sales. Using tablecloths or sheets dresses up tables enough to enhance your yard sale appeal. Not enough tables on hand? Be creative, and make your own. Sawhorses and plywood work well, as does getting large refrigerator-type boxes and turning them on their side (for light items). Anything that gets things off the ground is good. A shower curtain rod stuck through a step ladder can make a good clothes rack. A clothesline strung between two trees, or front porches with railings, works well too. Put your best merchandise on the tables, hang the clothing, and then whatever is left over, arrange neatly on the ground on top of a sheet or blanket. If you have a fence, items can be displayed on that as well.

Pricing: As the sale winds down, offer a "fill a bag" sale. It’s any easy way to get rid of items quickly. If you know in advance that you plan to do this, have a sign out early that says, "Come back after 2 p.m. to fill a bag for $5!" You’ll be surprised at the amount of customers who return. Make sure to remove any high value items you don’t want to include, then let buyers fill a bag of the remaining items for a small price. You choose the size of the bag and the price to fill it up according to your items. The norm is $1 to $5, and plastic or paper grocery bags will suffice.

Other tips for a more profitable yard sale: pick a weekend close to the 1st, 15th or 30th as these are typically pay days for most people; also, have the neighborhood kids sell lemonade and baked goods throughout the day. Quenched, not hungry, customers with money in hand, attracts a captive audience for a successful yard sale - leaving you with a lighter house and heavier pockets.

- Marsha Webster, Move Staff Writer Email: Marsha Webster@Move.com