Keep An Eye Out
Garage sales are a fantastic way for folks to declutter their home and share with the community. What’s even better is that certain garage sales are smorgasbords of valuable items, either in monetary value or personal interest. Whether you’re a collector or just looking for some new decor, looking out for these 20 items is likely in your best interest.
1. Handwritten Letters
While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, letter collectors might have a stroke of luck at a garage sale. They’re a small, intimate piece of history that could have potential value if you’re looking to sell. Otherwise, you can enjoy some secrets from strangers.
2. Christmas Ornaments
Christmas ornaments are expensive, so what better way to decorate your tree than by collecting them from your neighbors? You might even get a story attached to them that you can tell your loved ones about. Popular Christmas ornaments to look out for are those made in Germany, as they often feature clips instead of hooks.
3. Tools
If you stumble across a whack of tools at a garage sale, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Many people are simply looking to get rid of clutter, and you may find yourself with a very expensive tool that’s in good condition for pennies on the dollar.
4. Old Coins
Vintage coins are always a fun find. Many folks look for these coins as a way to make a bit of candy change, as you can typically sell them at auction houses or local mint dealers, but owning a piece of history can be just as fun.
5. Jewelry
Consider yourself lucky if you find good-quality jewelry at a garage sale. Sellers often don’t know or don’t care about the value of the goods that they’re selling, so you could walk away with a genuine gold, silver, or stone-adorned bracelet for next to nothing.
6. Silverware
Real silverware is rarely sought after these days, but real sterling silver goes for a pretty penny. Of course, you could always keep it if you’d like to spend your evenings polishing your newfound kitchen utensils.
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7. Artwork
Genuine artwork from Vincent Van Gogh or the Group of Seven has been discovered at garage sales in the past, and you could be the next lucky soul. Even if you’re not finding a one-in-a-million painting, you could still get some genuinely beautiful pieces for next to nothing.
8. Picture Frames
Like artwork, picture frames are incredibly expensive to buy new, so purchasing framed pieces specifically for the frame is a great way to decorate your home. The best part about frames is that they can be painted, so you can fix them up any way you like.
9. Cast Iron Cookware
New genuine cast iron cookware can cost hundreds of dollars, so if you find a good-quality piece at a garage sale, we’d recommend taking it.
10. Genuine Leather
A super awesome find if you get lucky enough. Genuine leather jackets, pants, boots, belts, or other clothing items are always expensive when they’re new. You can get yourself a whole new look for next to nothing if you stumble across a leather goldmine.
11. Retro Video Games
Retro video games and video game consoles are popular collector's items these days, and you’ll likely spend a pretty penny purchasing them from buy & sell stores. The NES in your neighbor's basement, however, can be yours for a much smaller fee. If you’re really lucky, you’ll find a game or two that nobody has talked about in years.
12. Pottery
Pottery is a great way to decorate your home, and you might even get some unique, vintage, or otherwise valuable finds. In 2020, a garage sale attendee found a 15th-century Chinese Bodhisattva for $100. It was sold at auction for over 2 million.
13. Musical Instruments
Looking to take up a new hobby? Garage sales might have you covered. Many folks will get rid of musical instruments that they haven’t touched in years, and if you’re lucky, the instrument has been kept in a case. You might need to replace the strings, but you’ll be paying a lot less overall.
14. Comic Books
The dream for any comic book collector: A garage sale where every book is $1. You can fill your shelves with your favorite superheroes for next to nothing, and might even stumble upon a rare edition that you can sell or keep for bragging rights.
15. Fishing/Camping Gear
Outdoor adventure gear is not the cheapest, so finding a good quality tent, sleeping bag, tackle box, or even a kayak at a garage sale is huge. Bonus points if some of the items are 20th-century, as they tend to be made of a more durable quality.
16. Model Trains
Model trains are a popular collector's item, most typically loved by fathers in television shows. However, model trains can cost upwards of $100 to buy new, so fathers everywhere can count their blessings if they can buy their toys for next to nothing.
17. Exercise Equipment
If you have the space for a stairmaster or treadmill, you can typically find them for cheap at garage sales. If you don’t have a huge amount of space, good quality workout gear, weight sets, or exercise balls are also things to look out for.
18. Antique Furniture
Whether you’re looking for a funky piece to liven up your space or need something more functional, garage sales are a fantastic way to furnish your home. Many folks often look for mid-century modern or other solid wood pieces, as they will last much longer than Ikea furniture.
19. Vintage Clothing
Curating an aesthetic is hard, but if you’re lucky, you can find genuine 20th-century pieces at garage sales. If you’re really lucky, you may even find some historical pieces that you can sell for a pretty penny.
20. Rare Books
You might love old literature, beautiful covers, or just want to expand your library. In any of these cases, stumbling across old or rare books can feel like you just won the lottery. You might even find something that’s one of a kind.
