Potential sellers must be 100% aware that homes that are cluttered and unorganized will come off as uninviting and congested! A potentially spacious home can be reduce to a mass of cramped space due to excessive clutter. Completely de-cluttering your home prior to showing it is a MUST. Keep in mind, de-cluttering has nothing to do with cleaning. So your home may be clean, but still clutted. Highlighting space and excellent storage are strong points in showing a home. Don't let the great features in your home be camouflaged by ugly clutter!
There effective solutions for conquering clutter before you list your home:
To begin the process of de-cluttering, the safest bet is to start with one room. Choosing one room makes the process of monitoring results easier. The ability to enjoy the results of one completed room, far out weighs the task of struggling to finish numerous rooms simultaneously.
After a room is chosen, start off with doing what can be called a "trial run". Armed with several large plastic bags and a open mind, canvas the entire and throw away any items that can be trashed. This can include expired medications, expired canned goods, junk and outdated mail (always shred) , old magazines, newspapers or catalogs.
Now that the trash is removed, the second step is to determine what to donated or sell. Having a friend, relative or a Professional Organizer handy for this task can be helpful. Considering a second opinion when determining what not to keep is invaluable. Start off by sorting and categorizing all like items into groups. Determine which items are duplicates and/or rarely used. A common rule of thumb is the "Twelve Month Rule". An item that hasn't been used or worn in a twelve months or more should be removed. Secondly, decide what items are functional, decorative, or neither. Functional items are things that are in frequent use. Decorative items are enjoyable pieces that are used for decoration. Things that are neither decorative or functional should be properly stored, donated or sold. Allowing what were once prized possessions to be used and enjoyed by others through donating to local charities and organizations can be rewarding and meaningful. Also selling items via yard sells, internet transactions, and/or auction dealers can be lucrative and worthwhile in many cases.
Now that the room is free of all unwanted items, the organizing begins. The final step to assigned a "home" for everything . This step deals with proper storage and functional space management. Label and create workable storage systems that are tailored to personal preference and accessible. Choose storage items that are clear, light weight and easy to handle. Once every item has a "home", effective space assignment is key. The goal is to create a room that is both visually appealing and functional. Rising to the challenge de-cluttering and organizing a chaotic room will transform it into a calm and welcoming haven .
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