Decluttering is an essential first step when you're getting ready to sell your house. But you will benefit from the process immediately. A neat and tidy home, absent of needless clutter and furniture, will provide physical space and a little peace of mind for you and your family. The best way to declutter your home is by adopting preventative measures: not bringing things into the home you don’t need, and getting rid of things that you do not use on a regular basis. Many of us fall victim to receiving a large number of unwanted gifts, purchasing unneeded items during a great sale at our favorite shop, or holding on to sentimental items that serve little purpose. It doesn’t take long for things to accumulate and clutter up our homes. Here are some preventative tips and overhaul tips to declutter your home.
Preventative Decluttering
Keep a box for unwanted gifts: The act of gift giving is embedded in our culture, and we have many designated holidays specific to the purpose. Giving and receiving gifts is a way of honoring and respecting the people we care for and love. We often feel the need to hold on to gifts that we don’t want. We can acknowledge the act of gift giving sincerely by thanking the giver, but we don’t need to hold on to unnecessary or unwanted items. Keeping a box for unwanted gifts in a hall closet will simplify the process of removing gifts from your home on a regular basis. Donating brand new items to a local thrift store is a great way to honor an unwanted item…it will be a celebrated treasure for someone! It’s a great way to make the world a little happier.
Keep a box for unwanted clothing: When you no longer wear an item and haven’t for some time, it’s best to let it go. Keep a box in your closet for clean, gently used unwanted clothing. The box will be organized and ready to donate to your local thrift store or handed to the consignment shop.
90/90 rule: If you haven’t used an item in 90 days, and don’t anticipate using it in the next 90 days let it go, sell, donate, recycle or throw it away. It’s as simple as that.
Overhaul Decluttering
Rent a small storage unit: This tip is beneficial to those who have decided to sell their home, and are decluttering for the staging process. A small storage unit is a great place for the excess furniture and personal items we recommend removing from the home for staging. These items will be organized and ready for you when you move into your new home.
Begin with a plan: Organizing and decluttering your home can be a very time consuming process. Make a plan to declutter the rooms in your house: one room at a time. You can start with the most difficult rooms or start with the easier rooms and move up to the harder ones later. The choice is yours.
Five boxes: Have a donate box, a sell box, a recycle box, a put away box, and a trash box labeled and empty. Simply place the boxes in the room you are decluttering and get down to business: one room at a time.
Ask for help: Ask for help from family or friends. Open a bottle of wine, turn on the music and get to work: one room at a time.
Hire a professional: Having a professional declutter your home will cost on average between $250-$1,500 depending on the project. It may be the best solution for decluttering your entire home quickly and efficiently. An objective third party will be free from emotional attachment related to the clutter, and can truly simplify the process.
We know our Central Vermont real estate market. We know the best way to sell your home. We look forward to helping you sell your home quickly and efficiently. Contact Heney Realtors today!