Here Be Old Things

Local blogger now offering estate and tag sale services in the New York City area

One of my favorite blogs is Reclaimed Home, which is about "low impact housing and renovation options for thrifty New Yorkers." The author, who includes witty pieces about her personal life, always seems to be up to a LOT: renovating her own homes (yes, plural) in Bed Stuy and Beacon, selling at the Brooklyn Flea, scouting out cheapo property in the region (I like this post on aesthetically pleasing mobile homes) . . . and now moving into the tag and estate sale business. This weekend she's putting on her second effort this Saturday, March 14, up in Beacon. The sale is a mix of antiques and vintage items left over from other sales, clean-outs, and shop inventory reductions, plus some consignments from local dealers. Get a preview of the weekend's goodies on Reclaimed Homes' Flickr page, and then check it out. The address is 69 Verplanck Avenue, Beacon, New York, and the sale runs 8:30am-4:30pm.I know no one wants to say the "S" word anymore, but this isn't shopping, it's recycling!

NYSales.net: a new resource for tag sales in Connecticut, New Jersey, and on Long Island

Up until now, when I've searched for estate or tag sales in the region, I've turned to EstateSales.net, which is trying to be the national player in that niche. Well, now there's a new kid on the block: NYSales.net, which lists estate, tag, moving and yard sales exclusively in the tri-state metro area. It was started by a local who likes to rummage through books and other other items at estate and tag sales, and saw the value in consolidating as many ads as possible all in one spot. This weekend alone, he's listed almost twice the number of sales as his competitor. NYSales.net makes an effort to weed out virtual sales; the site is clean and easy to navigate. Hmmmm... wait. It lists antique shows and auctions. Looks like someone's moving on to my block, too.

Find stoop sales in Brooklyn

Photo by Michelle V. Agins for The New York Times

Stoop sales are the urban version of garage sales, and Brooklyn is the perfect venue – all those stoops. But finding one is usually a matter of serendipity. There you are, strolling along in your flip flops, and there's a neighbor with a card table loaded with household detritus. Score!

Now, scope out the weekend action using StoopSales.com. It sorts sales by neighborhood, lists times, gives you a preview of what each sales offers, and even locates each sale on a Google map. (Expect to see sales listed approximately mid-week.) If you're on the other side of the card table, submit your sale and alert the world.