When Kristen and I consult with clients on preparing their home to go on the market, a big focus is usually on removing the clutter. Almost everyone has some type of clutter in their homes, whether it’s as simple as a pile of magazines to closets bursting with clothes. Many of us know we need to do something, but the task is overwhelming. I might spend a token hour here or there going though my possessions, but soon lose my inspiration. I found this great article on Houzz that discusses different philosophies or methods for clearing clutter.

I particularly like this idea from Mindy Starns Clark, author of The House That Cleans Itself, says: “My technique for clearing clutter is based on the understanding that every possession you own, from the tiniest button to the biggest couch, consumes a piece of your time — time to clean it, store it, move it, fix it, lose it, find it, wash it, wipe it and on and on. The more things we own, the more time we sacrifice to that ownership. Thus, when decluttering, ask yourself, ‘Is this item worth the total time investment that owning it requires?’ If it is, then keep it. If it isn’t, then get rid of it. It’s that simple — unless the item also carries an emotional component.” Check out the full article here:

It’s a new year and the gyms are packed. Everyone is wanting to get in shape for the spring or just trying to have a healthier lifestyle. That’s great, but why not resolve to get your house in shape as well? One way to do that is to look at your home as if you were a buyer seeing it for the first time. Does your home have curb appeal or is your landscaping overgrown? Is there any rotten wood or does your home need a fresh coat of paint?

What is the first impression when you walk through the front door? Have you changed the décor since you originally moved in? Are your kitchen appliances twenty years old? Do you have too much furniture? Do you have organized closets and decent storage? Be honest and make a list of what you fix or update if you were planning to sell your home and do some of the work now.

For example, I love my house, but a prospective buyer would most likely be disappointed at the relatively small closets and lack of storage. I know that I need to make effective use of every inch of space. My plan for this year is to have closet organizers installed and add shelving in some dead space in one of the bathrooms. I can help free myself from clutter and I will have turned a negative into a positive when I sell my house in the future.

Go online and check out some of the sold homes in your neighborhood. How do they compare to yours? Do they have granite in the baths while you still have the standard white cultured marble? Do they have newer appliances? Do they have a lot of hardwood flooring or new carpet? How is the landscaping?

Almost every seller wants top dollar for their home. They often have to make changes in order to get that price. Many of the changes made are ones that the seller thought about in the past but never got around to making. Why not enjoy the updates now? Ones that will stand the test of time? If you are unsure of what updates make sense then contact us and we will be happy to offer our opinion.

One of our listing photos courtesy of Cal Mitchner of Charlotte Virtual Home Tours