Regular readers may notice that my blog has been pretty quiet lately. The main reason for that is due to a very sick laptop and limited time on other computers. For now, my resurrected laptop is doing okay, but will soon face partial retirement once my new Dell arrives.
Here is my newest 2Tips4-2sDay installment.
- Under-bed sweater boxes make cleaning up for showings a SNAP! When a home for sale is owner-occupied, showings can present some difficulties if the homeowners are even slightly on the Messie Side of Life.
Let’s face it, many of us are more like this fellow than this lady, but trying to rationalize it away with comments like “A home has to look lived in, for Pete’s sake…” will not cut it for today’s finicky buyers.
When making appointments to see homes, buyers do not want to hear “Give me two hours…” or “Sorry, you need 24 hour notice…” Their agents will simply move on to properties easier to see. It’s a pain, yes, to keep your home tidy for a last minute showing, but if you want to sell, you need to be ready a the drop of a hat.
One problem area is the bedroom -
particularly a kid’s room where toys tend to take over. Simple solution: under-bed storage boxes with lids. Toss the wayward items in these boxes and shove them, with force if necessary, under the bed. The floor will look tidy, and the nosiest of buyers will only see neatly organized storage boxes under the bed. Hooray, disaster averted.
- Along the same lines, eliminate last-minute “THE BUYERS ARE COMING, THE BUYERS ARE COMING” stress with a nightly Ten Minute Tidy.
Basically, everyone in the house works together – if possible, each person picks a room – and a timer is set for ten minutes (or fifteen). Once the timer starts, everyone races to tidy up as quickly as possible, scooping things that are out of place (i.e., belong in another room) and putting them in a basket. When time is up, you should have some pretty good looking rooms. Take an extra few minutes and put the items away that were scooped into the basket.
For more ideas, visit these home organization sites:
Flylady.net – I find her site useful but her email updates worse than a nagging wife. Good info though.
The Organized Home (they’re too organized for me but there are a gazillion great ideas.)
Don Aslett – the king of conquering clutter and simplifying housework. I love this guy. Best book ever is Clutter’s Last Stand. Find his excellent books on Amazon.com.
Messies Anonymous – I can so relate to these people. I’m one of them!
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Filed under: Home Sellers, Tuesday Tips | Tagged: clean, clutter, organizing, selling home, tidy
