It’s finally time: you’ve decided to sell your house and relocate, but there’s one more step to take: decluttering and cleaning! Making your home look like a glossy magazine cover can feel like a tall order, especially if you have children, pets, or just friends and family coming in and out. So, what’s the best way to prioritize as you go through the staging and showing process? Here are some pointers from some of the top real estate agents in the United States to help you along the way!
Begin by storing unnecessary items.
Decluttering is one step that your family must take. While this is less concerned with whether every surface is clean, it is more concerned with what items are on side tables, shelves, or other visible areas in the home. Consider how you can store as much of your personal knickknack as possible during showings. Remember that the goal of staging isn’t usually to make the space look like it’s been lived in, but rather like a hotel room or a magazine shoot of a furniture set.
By beginning with decluttering, you clear off surfaces throughout the home, making it easier to get in and clean. Remember that things that need to be easily accessible can live in drawers or cabinets, but anything that doesn’t need to be cluttering your space can be donated or stored in totes in an attic or basement.
Choose Between Professionals and a Do-It-Yourself Deep Clean
Some people who are selling a home simply do not have the time to do a thorough cleaning, so hiring professionals is a good next step after decluttering (the professionals will have to spend less time moving things if you declutter, which saves you money). However, if you can set aside some time to do it yourself, you will save money and have complete control over your cleaning process. Assemble your tools, create a checklist in case multiple sessions are required, and get to work! Remember that the goal, in this case, is to make everything as clean and sparkling as possible, especially any areas that will be seen during a showing.
Choose Between Professionals and a Do-It-Yourself Deep Clean
Some people who are selling a home simply do not have the time to do a good scrubbing, so hiring professionals is a good next step after decluttering (the professionals will have to spend less time moving things if you declutter, which saves you money). However, if you can set aside some time to do it yourself, you will save money and have complete control over your cleaning process. Assemble your tools, create a checklist in case multiple sessions are required, and get to work! Remember that the goal, in this case, is to make everything as clean and sparkling as possible, especially any areas that will be seen during a showing.
Remember, this is only temporary, but it is inspiring!
This may appear to be a lot of work, but keep in mind that curb appeal and first impressions are important in how a buyer perceives your home, and emotional appeal is a big part of how people choose their home. That being said, if you develop a routine that makes your house look better than ever, why not bring your favorite aspects of the process with you to the new house? After all, most of us prefer to live in a clean environment!
