Getting Ready To Sell: Gotta Clean it UP!
Getting Ready To Sell: Cheetos are a No No
You have a long list of projects on your to-do list that never seem to get done, but then again, who really has the time? And then one day, sometimes unexpectedly, you realize you’re going to need to sell it.
You could skip those projects for getting your home ready to sell, and get your home on the market in a few days – after all, don’t most people realize that REAL people live in their homes and that most homes don’t look like those model homes in the new subdivisions?
You could, but you shouldn’t.
Buyers Want Move-In Ready Homes
Potential buyers don’t want to see how you live, they want to envision themselves living in your home the way they live and that means you need to do your homework. All that stuff that you know and love and use and keep and play with every day, no matter how wonderful and well organized, is distracting and confusing for most buyers.
If you want the best possible price and terms for your property, take ownership of your marketing strategy.
Stray cheetos, fly swatters and bouncy balls need to go, somewhere, anywhere, but not under the couch, not on the front porch and certainly not anywhere where most buyers will see them when they first walk into your home.
Making Some Decisions When Getting Your Home Ready To Sell
Fortunately, we have the Internet. And that means that a bunch of resources that can help you get your home ready to sell are available. The most basic elements that can be extracted from these sites are these:
Keep what you truly love and use
Donate excess items so that others may benefit
Toss everything else
As you work through your rooms, surveying your stuff, ask yourself these questions:
- Why am I keeping this thing?
- Does it add real value, or bring joy to my life?
- Am I keeping it out of guilt, or obligation?
- Do I use it?
- Am I willing to spend the time and money to pack it, move it, unpack it and find it a new place (in the back of the closet) of my new home?
Let Go and Spend Less Time Moving
Sometimes it can be hard to let go of the things you have collected over the years.
You may be tempted to feel that when you put your home on the market, you’re showcasing your interesting and very real life. It helps to remember that what you’re really doing is preparing to move on, and your heart and mind can be filled with the memories of what you’ve owned, where you’ve been and what you’ve done, but your home doesn’t need to showcase anything other than how fabulously accommodating it will be to the styles and tastes of the new owners.
For the overflow items that you plan to keep but that may not have a practical spot in your newly-decluttered home, a small storage unit can usually be rented for a short period of time while the home is listed for sale.
Homes That Are Ready To Sell, Sell for More Money
Taking the time to prepare your home to sell means taking control of your marketing strategy.
Well-priced homes that are neat, clean and well-maintained are more appealing to potential buyers and will get you on your way sooner to your next home.
And in THAT home, YOUR home, you can keep it REAL.
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