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Clutter loves company. Or at least, it seems that way. It’s an unspoken (and non-scientific) rule that the more clutter you have in your home, the more it tends to “multiply.” And the longer it sits, the more likely it is to become part of the scenery and stick around your home forever.
But when it’s time to sell your home and move on to your next adventure, all that clutter could hold you back from getting a fair offer on your home. Here’s how you can start the decluttering process, once and for all:
Remove children’s toys
The proliferation of toys when you have children can be tough to control. If you’re out of storage space before you are out of toys, ask your kids to help you purge. Get rid of toys they have outgrown or no longer play with. The rest can be boxed up and put in the attic or basement until moving day.
Hide your pets
Pets are like family, they contribute to the general feeling of a home not being put together. Designate a spot for pet things, such as their bed and toys. Hide pet food, brushes, and other pet gear from sight. The difference is almost instant.
Fold and put away laundry
Folding and putting away laundry is where you spend most of your effort on laundry day. But the sooner you can empty your baskets, the cleaner your home will look. Try not to let laundry pile up. The added bonus is that you never run out of clean clothes, towels, or sheets.
Clean your dishes
The sink is too often treated as a catch-all for dirty dishes. When you’re done with a dish, either stash it directly in the dishwasher or clean it on the spot. This will keep your sink and countertops free of clutter, and potentially avoid that old-food smell that comes with a sink full of dishes. Potential buyers will be much happier if you do.
Remove unnecessary items
Think about all the items you use on a daily basis. Now, take everything else and find a home for it. This can be easier said than done, and it takes a bit of time to tackle each room. But hiding items you don’t use frequently can free up tons of space and make your home look more organized.
Move personal items to storage
Depersonalizing a home you’re still living in can be an emotional experience. After all, it’s still your home! But removing personal items allows potential buyers to picture themselves living there — which is your goal, really. Don’t worry, though, you can just stow away your personal items in storage and add them to your new home.
Clean out your garage or shed
Deep clean your garage and shed to show prospective buyers how much storage space they’ll inherit. This is hard to picture when all of your tools and odds and ends are taking up square footage.
Organize your bathroom toiletries
Dedicate a small space on your bathroom counter to your toiletries and hide the rest. Less is more, especially since a bathroom really helps to sell a home.
Organize your refrigerator and pantries
Yes, prospective buyers will check your fridge and cabinets to gauge how much space you have. Organizing these areas will give them both an instant facelift.
Ready to sell your home for more? Find out how much you can make with Upsell!