So you have a job and kids and every day you walk out of your house with a clean counter only to come home with a pile of dirty dishes, a house filled with clutter and it doesn’t matter how hard you try to clean, there seems to be a continuous flow of clutter entering your home – on top of that, you received a phone call from a real estate agent scheduling a viewing of your home within the day. Spell d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r.
Cleaning is something we all can relate to whether or not you are selling a home. A clean home gives a positive vibe, it gives a good impression to your prospective buyers increasing your chances of selling. Show buyers a messy and chaotic home and they will turn away and never look back – something you don’t want to happen.
Decluttering your home for sale can be a huge challenge especially for parents whose hands are already full minding the kids, chores, work and a whole bunch of other things. If you are that person, the question is – can you still find time to handle all these?
Yes it can be tough, yes it can be stressful, but it is manageable. Just follow these simple guidelines.
- First and foremost, ask for guidance. Your agent, for example, can give impartial advice on where you could focus your effort.
- Just start it – even if you have to start small. Pick a room or an area where you can start, set a specific goal every day. For example, start decluttering your drawer. Dedicating 15 minutes of your time cleaning and getting rid of the clutter is a good start.
- Get some help! Your family can also give you a hand in the decluttering process. You shouldn’t do it alone, get your kids involved or whoever in your family who can lend a hand to make the process less frustrating and time consuming.
Teach your kids the value of hard work. There are ways to keep them involved. Positive reinforcement is one, recognize their efforts, give thanks, and give them some treats. Another way is promising them a surprise for helping you clean.
- Treat decluttering like you are going to move. Sort things into three categories: things moving with you, things to toss, and things to donate/sell/give. Put them in separate boxes. When you review items, be honest with yourself, if you haven’t use it in a year, give or donate it. You can also have a garage sale of items you no longer need that are still in good shape.
- Don’t panic if you got a surprise call from an agent scheduling a showing. Tell the agent what to expect if you cannot rush to your home and prepare it for viewing. At least the agent can prepare the buyer ahead of time.
Read more: How to Declutter Your Home Before Selling
Are you selling your home? We can help! The J Michael Manley Team go above and beyond to get your home sold in the market. Our marketing efforts are geared toward getting your home sold as quickly as possible for top dollar.
