[ad_1] The post What to Look For at Garage Sales (To Make Serious Money) appeared first on Millennial Money. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! And for true bargain hunters, a garage sale can be a trove of valuable items, full of hidden gems that could fetch significantly more than the asking price on the open market. Part of what makes tag sales so appealing for shoppers is the hope that someone will put a valuable item up for sale on impulse. Maybe they want to clear space in their house or rid themselves of an old memory. Or maybe, they’ve just overlooked the value of a certain item. At the same time, a garage sale can be a great place to load up on cheap household items. You can pay far less at a sale than you would at the store if you’re willing to use someone else’s secondhand products. Flipper University Learn how to turn flipping into a full-time gig with Flipper University. Hundreds of students are now earning thousands per month by learning how to find, market, and flip valuable items. Learn More The key to success is knowing what secondhand items to look for. Keep reading to learn all about how to approach garage sale shopping so you can find the best deals and potentially earn cash flipping your successful garage sale finds. What to Look For at a Yard Sale Random antiques Old computers Games Rare books Kitchen items VHS tapes Skiing equipment and accessories Sunglasses Jewelry and accessories Collectibles and memorabilia Typewriters Vintage clothing Sports equipment Tools Car accessories Cameras Artwork Antique picture frames Furniture Baby accessories Holiday decorations Appliances Exercise equipment Musical instruments Outdoor gear 1. Random antiques As “Antiques Roadshow” fans know firsthand, antiques can fetch a lot of money. Items like pens, china sets, rare coins, and perfume bottles can all potentially fetch thousands of dollars. The hard part is identifying rare and valuable items. Without a keen eye for detail, you could wind up hoarding worthless items and wasting money at garage sales. If you’re looking for antiques, it’s worth researching what makes them valuable. The general rule is to keep your eye out for authentic items in good condition, produced in low quantities, and built by well-known companies or craftspeople. You should also keep your eye out for items that may not have been popular at the time of production but remain in high demand today, like lamps, candle holders, and silverware. 2. Old computers Attics across the United States are loaded with old computers that could be worth a small fortune. By some estimates, the Apple II and III, Apple LISA, and the Altair 8800 machines all have massive value today. Your best bet is to carry around a smartphone and type the model into Google any time you see a computer built before 1990. Who knows? You could wind up scoring a rather valuable item at a low price. For selling old tech, check out a site like Decluttr. 3. Games As time goes on, demand is growing for rare old video games in good condition. That being the case, it’s vital to keep your eyes peeled for cardboard boxes loaded with old cartridges from early Atari and Nintendo systems. For example, Air Raid for Atari goes for anywhere from $3,000 to $30,000, depending on the condition. DuckTales 2 for NES can run from $200 to $600. And Red Sea Crossing for Atari can fetch $13,000. Similarly, old board games can also be very valuable. Don’t pass up that dusty first edition of Clue! Again, this is where you’ll want to have a smartphone handy. Just because a video game is old doesn’t make it valuable. Prices vary depending on packaging, label, and production quantity. Pay attention, because the last thing you want is to end up with a box full of worthless games you’ll never play. 4. Rare books Old books tend to go to the curb when homeowners need to clear space since they’re bulky and dusty. Oftentimes, people won’t think twice before chucking a book into a box and putting it out with the rest of the junk during a garage sale. As such, you should always look through book collections to try to find old gems like rare books and first editions. A book’s value increases when demand exceeds production. Age, scarcity, condition, and author all play a determining role in a book’s overall price. If you’re unsure about a book and can get it for a few dollars, it’s probably a good idea to snag it while you can. Of course, books don’t have to be rare to be valuable. Garage sales can be a great place to load up on cheap reads, providing you with hours—nay, weeks!—of entertainment. Oftentimes, people throw out financial books too, so keep your eyes peeled for classics that can help you accelerate your journey to financial freedom. 5. Kitchen items Garage sales are useful for cooking enthusiasts and treasure hunters. Look for cookware like stainless steel cutlery, cheap drinking glasses, pyrex containers, plates, and bowls. You may also be able to find items like strainers, colanders, and toaster ovens. Sellers often bundle items together. It’s possible to walk away with a whole kitchen set without paying an arm and a leg. It’s also a good idea to look for vintage items like fancy cookie jars, which can sell to collectors for a lot of money. If you see an older, intricate cookie jar, check the date. If it’s from the 1930s, it could be valuable. Cast iron pans in good condition can also fetch a pretty penny when they’re free of rust and cracks. 6. VHS tapes VHS tapes haven’t been relevant for many years, but movie buffs still collect them. Most lack value, but some—like Pinocchio and E.T.—can potentially net a small profit. If you see a box of VHS movies at a garage sale, definitely take a look regardless of whether you