Dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and tidying up isn’t always enough when you’re trying to sell your home. Cleaning should start from the top floor, to the first floor, and finally the basement and garage. Before cleaning, decluttering will help make the move easier and will allow buyers to imagine themselves living in the home.
Electronic’s change and advance constantly which means that old wires, video consoles and games, printer equipment, and so many more unused electronics start to build up. You might have random cords and wires, computer monitors, old televisions, unused tablets, old printers, used printer cartridges, gaming consoles, etc. First step is to test every electronic that you might get rid of. While testing them out, make a pile of electronics that don’t work and a pile that does work. The pile that does work can then be traded into an electronic or gaming store for a little extra cash for your move, they can be donated to charity or thrift stores, or can be given away or sold online. The electronics that do not work should be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way so they don’t end up in landfills.
How many times has your son or daughter asked for another basketball? Has your children grown out of their old bikes? If you have kids, you know how much sports and outdoor equipment you end up storing in your home. Footballs, sleds, baseball mitts, tents, backyard games, bikes, scooters, skates, ect. build up year after year. All of the outdoor and sporting equipment may not be in the best shape or you and your family may not use them anymore. Those items that are broken can be thrown out and the items that are still usable can be traded into a sporting goods store, donated to a local boys and girls club, or donated to a thrift store.
Clothes build up very quickly, especially kids clothes. Slimming down the amount of clothing your kids have can be much easier than your clothes. If it doesn’t fit your child, get rid of those pieces of clothing! For your or your spouse's clothing, there are a few ways to figure out what to get rid of. One way is to empty out your entire closet, put the clothes back that you regularly wear, and try on the clothes that you haven’t worn in a long time. Any of those clothes that don’t fit, aren’t flattering, or are falling apart with holes or stains should be put in a pile to get rid of. The clothing that isn’t falling apart, can be sold at a yard sale, sold to a thrift store, or donated to a charity.
How many times are you going to watch that movie, read that book, or listen to that CD? Almost everything is digital now, so most likely you can purchase the online version. With that in mind, decluttering your collection of books, movies, and CD’s can be a little easier. While going through your books, think about if you will re-read it or not. If not, then you can get rid of it. If you will re-read it and can’t find a digital version on Amazon Kindle, OpenLibrary.com, or any other digital book library, keep it! With movies and CD’s, you can look them up online to see if there is an online version that would work for you, if you are on the fence about getting rid of them. Some places you can find digital versions of movies and CD’s are; Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and so many more! Once decided on what to get rid of, those CD’s, movies, and books can be sold at a yard sale, sold to used bookstores, or donated to a local library.
Over the years in your home, you start collecting unnecessary kitchen utensils, small appliances, decorations, etc. These items build up and create more trouble and clutter than they’re worth. Starting with the counters and tabletop, then working to the cupboard, go through everything that you have. There might be some coffee mugs with chips off the sides, storage containers with missing lids, donut maker that is never used, melted plastic kitchen utensils, and other kitchen supplies that aren’t in the best condition. These items can be thrown away or, if they are in good condition, they can be sold at a yard sale or given to a charity.
When buyers are looking at your home whether in person or in pictures, potential buyers like to imagine living in the home. With less clutter, they are able to imagine their own things and clutter in the house. Less clutter will also keep them focused on what they are there for. Almost empty counters and less furniture will help to show your home’s features better than when there is clutter and furniture packed in. Homes that are less cluttered normally sell faster and for a better price!
