When you are selling your home in Reston, decluttering will help you appeal to buyers and will make your eventual move a lot less stressful.
For buyers, presentation is everything. A fresh coat of paint, new carpeting, some basic repairs, and a well-manicured lawn will boost appeal, but decluttering will truly help you put your best face forward. A clean, clutter free home looks larger, is more inviting, and enjoys an increase in perceived value. These factors all add up to help you sell your home for top dollar!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s clear that clutter!
1. Prepare
As enticing as it might be, don’t be too quick to rush out to the Container Store or anywhere else to purchase organizing and storage materials just yet. In fact, make a vow not to bring anything else into your home until you start taking things out. For now, grab some bags for trash, donations and things you want to sell, roll up your sleeves and dig in!
2. Where to Begin? Anywhere!
Depending on how much of a packrat you are, deciding where to start can quickly lead to feeling overwhelmed. Rather than assessing the big picture, just pick a drawer, closet, shelf, or room and go to it. Choose one area per day or week so you don’t become discouraged. Remember, the only practical way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
3. Purge
Once you choose your starting place, you’ll have some big decisions to make. Consider every item you have in the space you’re working on. If it’s worth keeping but belongs somewhere else in your house, move it. Throw out obvious trash, as well as anything that is broken, damaged, or missing pieces. Bag up any items you want to donate or sell. While purging, commit to only keeping the things you love or that are useful to you. Say goodbye to multiples of the same thing, clothes for when you lose 10 pounds and any useless things you’ve been keeping in case you need them “someday.” Keep sentimental items that mean something to you. Get rid of sentimental items you’re hanging onto out of guilt.
4. Reorganize
Take what’s left and put everything away neatly, making sure everything has a home. While reorganizing, get a jump on packing for your eventual move by boxing up things you won’t need on a daily basis while your house is on the market.
5. Make Some $$ or Donate
Remove items for sale and donation from your home as soon as possible. Check out these online and local Reston resources for where to sell and donate.
Books: Reston library; Reston’s Used Book Shop
Children’s clothing, toys: Small Change Consignment
Household items, TV’s: Cornerstones
Anything goes: CraigslistBuy, Sell, Trade, Donate, or Give Away in Northern Va.