Decluttering must be your priority when planning to sell your house. Although it sounds like an uphill task in a given time, it is possible and proven to boost your property value. Do you know decluttering also does an amazing job of reducing stress and anxiety? So whether you are planning to sell your property or move out to downsize, you cannot escape clearing the mess at home. Ask any real estate agents in Doncaster, they would tell you the same. Remember it cannot be done last minute.
It is recommended to start as soon as you know your house is going to be on sale. Have a family member or friend visit the property before the buyer does to understand where to begin. This article presents you with 7 tips to declutter your property and make it look less like a chore before the sale.
Have a plan
A decluttering strategy is the best way to begin the task. Create a to-do list. Plan the order before you dive into the process. There will be certain rooms in the house that need to be cleared of clutter on the highest priority. Make a list of it and get started. Do not assume you can accommodate everything into a box and sort them out in your new home. It will only add more clutter for later.
Get a buyer’s perspective
Living in the same space for a long time can make everything look in place and normal. It is always a good idea to put yourself in a buyer’s perspective and understand what needs improvement. Does the kitchen look messy? Are there too many books on the shelves? Ask yourself a few questions before proceeding with the task.
One space at a time
Take one room, make a list of all the changes you need to do, and finish it. Stepping into multiple rooms can make you lose track of the plans and leave your chores half done. Also when a particular room looks tidy at the end of all your efforts, you will be motivated to proceed further. Take enough breaks between each room to stay sane.
Set a timer
Consider giving yourself time slots – say 30 minutes to clean the shelves and 45 minutes for the cupboard. This allows you to be free of distractions. For example, when you declutter your bedroom, you may come across an old photograph and become nostalgic. This may push you to procrastinate on the task for a while. Setting a timer will urge you to get your chore done on time. Also, Remember to schedule your time realistically.
Categorise the waste
When you declutter, you may have a load of things in hand. You may suddenly be unsure if you need to throw them away or keep them for future use. Or what if the t-shirt you outgrew would be perfect for your cousin? So make sure you have at least 5 different folders you can categorise your things into. If certain utensils or wardrobe needs a fix to be in perfect use, put them in the ‘Fix’ folder. If there are things that need to be recycled, place them in the ‘recycle’ folder. There might be a few things that you need to throw away. Place them in the ‘waste’ folder. And finally, if you are up for charity, put the others in the ‘donate’ folder. This way you save time wondering what you should do with them.
Take pictures
It is also a great idea to take pictures of your house before the decluttering to match the clean space you have in mind. Categorise your room into sections to sort them in order. If you analyse the tidied pictures you will still have things to declutter. You can also compare the pictures to understand how far you have come and be motivated.
Seek help
Do not overburden yourself with the task of decluttering larger spaces. You can seek assistance from friends or family to share the chore. There are many professional organising services at affordable rates you can find online. Get the help you want to make your property sale less stressful.
Summing up
According to research, things that have not been in use for the last 6 months may never be necessary for the future. So take time and analyse when was the last time you used something and decide wisely. Decluttering can sound exhausting but makes all the difference to your property and your lifestyle.
