The Organized Move: Preparing Your Home for the Public's Eye By
Bridget Messino
(This is the first in a series of three articles on "The Organized
Move")
The thought of moving can set most of us in a tailspin, but what is more
frightening is imagining the parade of realtors and home buyers marching
through your very personal space and judging you on: neatness,
maintenance and upkeep, and tasteful décor. (There will be a handful of
buyers that are looking for a "fixer upper" and projects that last for
years, but unfortunately only two exist to date).
So let’s discuss a few easy tips to get your home in market condition.
Remember -- realtors and prospective homebuyers can tell how a home has
been cared for over the years. If your home is in need of major repairs
it is always best to consult a professional to ensure proper technique
and installation.
The month before you list your home, walk around with a notepad and
write down everything that is in need of some minor repair or a little
freshening up. It is very natural to focus on just the main living areas
of your home and forget about the closets and storage areas, but this is
a big mistake. In every home I ever bought or sold closets and storage
areas were part of the public viewing. So lets divide the space of your
home and get moving:
Bedrooms
Check all the bedrooms and pay particular attention to the closets. This
is a great time to review the contents and do a major purge. The fewer
items that are crammed in your closet, the fewer things you have to pack
and your closet will appear larger to a buyer. Set a pickup date with
your local charity -- this gives a little extra motivation to get those
closets in order. Out of season clothes should be packed up and if
possible stored at a very kind relative or friend’s home.
Take a similar approach to shelves and dressers and any other surfaces
in the rooms. Clutter is a real turnoff for a lot of people. Pack up the
unwieldy collections and neatly organize what is left.
Bathrooms
Check for any leaks, cracks and discoloration on all your plumbing
fixtures. Spend a little extra time cleaning the mirrors and the lights
(this can really make your bathroom sparkle). If your beauty products
are all over the bathroom vanity consider purchasing an inexpensive
caddie to hold your products so they can be swiftly tucked away for a
showing.
Family Room/ Living Room
Get rid of anything that makes the rooms look crowded or dated. Window
coverings can either make or break a space. Heavy and dated curtains can
be taken down to allow natural light in. It is very important to air out
the home on a regular basis. Also consider using one of the products on
the market to eliminate odors from carpets, drapes and upholstery. If
you or family members are smokers, consider smoking outside until your
home is sold. Pet owners send the dog off to the groomer for a bath and
regularly change the cat’s litter box.
Kitchen
Check that all cabinets are clean inside and out, as well as in good
working order. The contents should be arranged in an orderly manner. You
wouldn’t want your cereal boxes falling on a buyer’s head. This is an
excellent time to donate small appliances, dishes, and glassware you
have not used in years. If you are doing a long distance move and using
a professional mover, they charge by weight. In my book this is a huge
motivator not to move something that I am not 100% sure I will ever use
again.
Keep the counters clear; this can be a difficult task for busy people
who are accustomed to using this space as their personal catchall. Keep
a few empty bins or baskets for every household member. In a pinch you
can quickly toss the items into their respective bins and set in a
closet or in their rooms.
Also, a vase of fresh cut flowers and a subtle scented candle add a nice
touch.
Basements and Garages
These two areas usually need a little more lead-time than a month. Start
with your basement and make it a family affair. (I feel pretty confident
to say that the basement is not in its current state because of one
individual, but there is always the exception!) To maximize your time,
refrain from paging through old textbooks and reading all your old album
covers. Set those albums aside and start organizing.
Designate areas in your basement with boxes labeled as give away, throw
away, and pack. Empty boxes, old toys and clothes that have not seen
sunlight in years can easily be escorted to curb. Properly dispose of
old electronics and paint (check with your local waste disposal company
on recycle options). Consider packing a few boxes from your "pack pile"
and stack neatly in your storage area. This will give you a great head
start on the packing process.
Now, out the door to the garage, if you can’t pull car in than you have
a good day’s worth of work ahead of you. The concept behind the garage
is to provide shelter for your car and storage for your outdoor related
equipment only and not "I am not sure what to do with that, so just put
it in the garage storage". Start by placing like items together and
remove anything that does not qualify for garage living. Toss any broken
items, unrecognizable objects, and those unfinished projects that have
remained in their current state the last 7 years. Donate and recycle all
the things the kids have outgrown. Start the boxing process and pack
anything that will not be needed until you reach your new home.
Yard
Finally, don’t forget the yard. Clear away any dead foliage, weeds, and
fallen branches. Trim hedges and shrubs and neatly store hoses and
sprinklers. Rake up any leaves and give your yard a fresh cut. If
climate permits, plant a pot of flowers and place near your entryway.
When you think you are done, have your realtor come through and look
around with a fresh eye. It’s amazing what you stop actually seeing when
you live with it day to day! Getting ready to sell your house may not be
fun, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A little sprucing and
organizing will bring back realtors and potential buyers. Remember --
people want to be able to visualize their own ideas for a home, so make
it an inviting and welcoming place.
©2004 Bridget Messino
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