Selling your home is a stressful affair. Working through paperwork, advertising and looking for a new home is hard enough, but throw in trying to accommodate open homes and inspections – and it can seem like an impossible task to juggle.
While much of the clutter in our homes may be commonplace to us (so much that we don’t always notice it), unsightly clutter – no matter how innocent – can be enough to put off a potential buyer.
We consulted professional organizer Jo Carmichael of All Sorted Out about the best way to declutter your home prior to selling your home.
1. Start at the kerb
“Remove visual clutter, such as garbage bins, from the front of the driveway,” says Jo. “Try storing items behind the garage or car port instead. Remove pot plants that aren’t growing and stray toys.”
“Trim hedges & garden beds, ensure there is a number on your letter box or front gate or door, and place two matching plants either side of your doorway with a new door mat that says ‘welcome’.”
2. In the home
“Remove winter coats, rain jackets, umbrellas and everyday backpacks from the entrance or front hall. Move them to a cupboard or, if they are no longer used or wanted, donate them.”
3. Tackle the kitchen
Jo recommends hiding all kitchen appliances from sight to make the kitchen feel more decluttered and spacious.
“This is a key area of every home and and it’s not hard to make a good impression with a kitchen. You may like to leave your appliances out on show for everyday use, but when selling, I recommend placing them inside a cupboard
“If there’s no room inside the cupboards to stash them, then it’s time to remove items from the cupboards and decide if you really use them, and donate those you don’t.
Now the kitchen is less cluttered, it’s also easier to wipe the bench and splash backs clean.”
4. In the living room
Jo says that if you’re selling your house, then you’re probably packing up to move, too. Now is the time to sort through old DVDs, videos and other paraphernalia that might be cluttering up your living room.
“Remember that by decluttering you are making space, so things can be put away – making your home tidier and ready for open home viewings.”
5. Freshen up the bathroom
“Any bathroom will look instantly brighter and more appealing if it’s clean, with all daily products removed from the counter top and shower recess,” says Jo. “Placing one product on the basin and one in the shower is sufficient. Leave one or two clean folded towels on the towel rail, no floor mat required.”
What do you do with everything else?
“Place those products you use daily inside the vanity on the days buyers are inspecting your home.”
6. Check the garage
“Garages are a luxury but can become a dumping ground. Buyers will be curious to see if their vehicles, sports equipment and pets will fit into your garage space,” says Jo. “ Be sure to clear out rubbish, disused items, spider webs and dust. This is not the place to dump everything that was making a mess inside the house.”
Want to know the easiest way to declutter your kitchen? Watch the video below.
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