My thoughts on this blog center around a Time Magazine article entitled "The Joy of Less" by Josh Sanburn. This article appeared in the March 23rd issue.
The article hit home with the accumulation of "stuff" that the average homeowner has and how it affects them when it comes to selling their home.
First some quick quotes from the article:
- Children in the US make up 3.1% of the world population but buy 40% of the worlds toys!
- Most household moves outside the US average 2500 to 7500 pounds. It is 8000 pounds in the US!
- The $24 billion dollar self storage industry is so large that all of the citizens in the US could fit inside its units simultaneously
The article points out that the consumer is a big part of our economy (approximately 40%).
Economist Victor Lebow writes in 1955 "We need to have people eat, drink, dress, ride live, with ever more complicated and, therefore, constantly more expensive consumption."
"The 80's were all about buying stuff, by the 90's everybody went from accumulating stuff to changing stuff". (changing out appliances, home decor, counter tops because everybody else is doing it)
The more we have the more complicated our life has become.
So how does this lead me into real estate?
Very simple. When we visit your home for the first time the conversation ultimately comes to clutter.
- You need to "declutter" your home
- The less you have the larger your home looks for potential buyers
- Before we list your home you need to clean out your closets, your garage, and the basement.
So how do you keep one step ahead of the clutter issue:
- Read a book. Yes if you have issues with buying things read a book. Stuffocation by James Wallman or Everything that remains by Joshua Fields Millburn
- Personally my wife and I go through our clothes every six months. If you don't wear it, you give it away
- Go through your garage and your basement once a year. Use the same criteria. If you don't use it, ebay, Craigs list, garage sale, or donate.
- Don't wait until your kids graduate high school before you start "decluttering" their stuff. Encourage your kids to sell what they do not want, or donate it.
- Do not wait until you want to sell your home to tackle this issue.
Our society wants us to buy stuff, change what we have to be "in style", and to keep things in case they become valuable (can you say Beanie Babies). Maybe its time for us to think as individuals and not follow the herd!
If we can help you get your home ready to market in the North Atlanta, North Georgia, or Lake Lanier area let us know. We are the Wells Team of Keller Williams Community Partners. www.randywellsteam.com
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