Tips for Getting Rid of Your Clutter Before You Sell Your House
Getting rid of clutter really is the first step. This will make it so much easier to clean and prepare your house later on for the actual sale.
Many people think of closets first when it comes to elimination of clutter. However, that might not be the best strategy. Clutter can accumulate every day in places that are out in the open. Trying to empty a closet will just bring more items into the living space, and pretty soon the task can seem overwhelming.
If your house has more than one level, start on the lowest one and work your way up. If it has a basement, leave that for last. If you have only one level, start by the entrance area. Either divide your area into sections, or start in one corner of the room and work your way clockwise. As already mentioned, don’t include the closets yet.
Begin with removal of trash. Trash can mean anything from used magazines to old bills and receipts. If you have children, this may also include outdated report cards, school projects etc. It may seem hard to part with those things, but keep in mind for how long you have had them. If you collected things for many years, just keep the most important memories. If you really don’t want to part with something, scan it into your computer. That will eliminate a lot of the paper clutter, yet allow you to maintain a visual record. This task may seem daunting, especially if you have resided at your house for many years. However, keep in mind the less you have to pack up when you move, the less clutter you bring into your new place, and you won’t have to deal with the same items multiple times.
There are really only two choices: Keeping an item or getting rid of it. To decide if you want to keep an object, consider how long ago you actually used it. Get rid of it if you have not used it in a few months. Resist the temptation to try to make money off your items. It takes time and effort to try to sell stuff. Consignment stores charge fees, plus there usually are restrictions on how many items you can bring in. Selling online takes time and effort also. Not only would you have to keep track of bids and payments, it takes time to prepare and ship packages. In addition, there is no guarantee things will sell. Don’t lose focus of what is important – to make your house look the best it can be, so it can sell quickly and make you the highest profit. Give any items you no longer need or want to your friends and family, or donate them to charities. The goal is to make your house appealing to prospective buyers, and it will show much better when it is clutter free. That in turn will get you a quicker, better sale and you will never miss the relatively small amount of money that assorted trinkets and goods would bring.
When removing clutter from your closets, the same concepts apply. Get rid of clothes that are not in the size that you currently wear. The same applies if you have not worn them in a year. Obtain storage containers to hold the items you are keeping. Not only will that make your closets look neater in case prospective buyers look in them, when it is time to move you won’t have to pack as much. Even if you plan on using movers, it will still make life easier in the long run.
Don’t forget the outside! No prospective buyer wants to trip over toys, lawn implements, or pet supplies. In addition, your neighbors will appreciate it!
Do not get discouraged. Think of the benefits that await you and how nice your house will look. You will also feel so much better starting out in your new home without excess baggage.
