One of the first questions I am asked by my Sellers is "I know I have to get rid of things but I don't know how to begin?" Whether you are in Boca Raton or Boynton Beach, if you live in South Florida we do not have the luxury of having basements for storage.
In fact, chief among prized features when Buyers are evaluating a house is how much storage it has. Closets will be opened; counters looked at; and yes, unfortunately, Buyers will look at your garage. All of these are places where we "put things".
1 or 2 car garage??? A closet??
You've heard this many times but YOU WILL be moving soon, so why not get started ASAP in packing?
It can be overwhelming and daunting but it HAS to be done.
Here are some helpful tips:
1. Grab the trash bag and start throwing! Keep in mind movers will charge you by how much they move. Do you really want to pay to move something you're going to throw away when you arrive at your new house?
How much time will you really have to read that stack of magazines from 3 years ago? Are you really going to make all of the recipes you've clipped that are piled up on your desk?
2. Next decide what you want to donate or give away. It's so hard to part with items that aren't broken or that you can still wear (but haven't in the last 2 years). However, try looking at it this way... if you're not using something, why not donate it so someone else who REALLY needs it!
South Florida is home to many worthwhile charities that would welcome your treasures. Here are but a few:
Faith Farm Ministries with locations in Okeechobee, Boynton Beach and Ft Lauderdale, you can schedule a pick up!
Goodwill
Salvation Army with free pick up and drop off locations.
3. What's left is to start packing. If you've been working with a Home Stager you probably have a list of what needs to go and what can stay.
The question then becomes "What do I do with it all?"
*Consider an outside storage facility. Many will rent on a monthly basis. You might pay less than $100 a month for a 5x5 x8 unit. Isn't that an investment worth making to get your house sold?
*What about begging a friend or relative to let you store some of your boxes or small items at their home?
*Invest in small covered storage boxes for office papers; plastic bins to store items in the utility room; little plastic bins to store personal items in your bathrooms.
If you need help deciding what to throw, donate or keep, ask a good friend to come over and act as your "guide".
There's much you can do to edit and declutter your house before you list it... you just have to decide you're ready to Get It Sold!
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