Less is More!
The knick knacks, the Hummel collection, the garage sale finds....If it is collecting dust, pack it away or give it away. I'm not just talking about what you see when you walk into the kitchen, I'm also talking about what's inside the cabinets too. If that can of Cream of Mushroom soup from 1995 is still in the cabinet - throw it away. It is expired, I assure you. Got a great deal on canned veggies last year, and discovered you hate french-cut green beans? Donate them. Once you get rid of the food you will never eat from the cabinets, you'll recognize that you won't need to store the cereal boxes on top of the fridge!
Here's a list of areas you can declutter:
Kitchens: Neatly pack away all the appliances and special kitchen gadgets you do not use on a regular basis. Do you really need 4 - 1 quart pots? Scaling back on all the kitchen "stuff" will help a buyer realize there is plenty of space. Clear off the counters, and just keep the basics. In most households just a toaster, coffee maker and knife block are all you really use that need to be easily accessible by leaving them on the counters.
Bathrooms: I hear this from people, all the time - why are there 15 bottles of stuff in the shower? Bought a shampoo that dulls your locks and you'll never use it again? Get rid of it! Got a bunch of different shampoo bottles nearing empty? Consider purchasing an over-the-shower-head-dispenser for Shampoo, Conditioner & Body Wash. It is neat & clean and you can create your own concoction of shampoo without wasting any. How about cleaning fluids under the sink? Two 1/2 bottles of Scrubbing Bubbles? Combine them, recycle the empty bottle. Don't mix different cleaning products together! Linen Closet - toss the frayed towels.
Bedrooms: Pack up anything stored under your bed. Keep only the current season's clothes in the bedroom closets unless you have a Mariah Carey sized closet. Pack up the shoes you never wear, or donate them. Pack up all the self-help books sitting on the nightstand if you've already read them. Toys that have been outgrown should be given away or packed. If you've got lots of picture frames here or anywhere sitting on tables, dressers, counters - put them away. Less is more. You want the buyer to picture THEIR families living there, not yours.
Livingroom & Family Room: Recycle the stacks of newspapers. Get rid of the fake flowers that are collecting dust & cobwebs. Bring the old magazines, movie collection, board games and stacks of books to the local nursing home. The residents will love having new things to read, watch & play! But remember, if you decide to do that - just do it! Don't let them sit in boxes in the garage while you drive by the nursing home twice a day. Just commit to do it. .
Basement & Garage: These areas of the house usually most cluttered, yet they are where a good number of buyers make their decision to buy the house or not. Get them ship shape! Put your tools away. No where to put the boxes you've packed? Neatly place them against a wall, not in the middle of floor. Neatly wrap all the cords for the power tools. Think leaving the old paint cans is "nice"? What's nicer is if you make note of all the brands, colors, finishes and what rooms they were used in. Then properly dispose of the paint cans. Chances are the paint inside is dried up and it is more of a chore for the buyer to get rid of it.
Attic: Go through everything you've stored up there over the years and decide to keep, sell or donate. Chances are if its in such an inaccessible space of your home, you don't need it.
These are just a few tips to start the decluttering process, but I'm sure you get the drift. You may even realize that purging of all the "stuff" is liberating. I've learned I need no more than 1 Large & small frying pan and 1 large & small pot. I only have 4 burners on my range! Living with less not only clears the mind, but will ultimately let the buyer feel like there is plenty of space for their "stuff".
As a service to our clients, we offer our recommendations to all of our clients looking for advice on what to clear out from their houses before we get their homes on the market. If you are thinking of selling or buying a home or investment property in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, The Lazrak Realty Team is here for you. Call us at 978-935-9668 or visit us at www.ChristinaLazrak.com If you're outside of those areas, we would gladly find & interview well qualified & experienced agents that will offer these same services to you.
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