There has been an unprecedented shortage of affordable homes on the market over the past several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded this issue. People who would normally put their home on the market or shop for a new home have put off taking action. But that doesn’t mean selling your home for top dollar will be a piece of cake once you decide it’s time. You still have competition. The truth is that you can get significantly more for your home if it is in good shape and decluttered – that’s why it’s important to follow these house selling tips.
Fortunately, you might still have some time on your hands to tackle this project. If you’re even considering selling your home in the next year, here are some steps you can take to declutter it and make it sell faster and for a higher price.
7 House Selling Tips
1. Find Your Motivation
When you’ve lived in a home for years and have accumulated tons of stuff, it can be tough to find the motivation to sort through it all. But look at it from a buyer’s perspective. Not one wants to view a home that is cluttered and one that it appears as if it has no storage space. When you declutter, you give potential buyers the best first impression possible of your home.
2. Create a Sorting Strategy
Decluttering and organizing might seem like a chore when you’re still living in the home. But, you can make it a fun exercise as long as you don’t put it off too long and have a strategy.
3. Use a Day-to-Day Strategy
Walk into each room and ask yourself if you use any of the items you see on a day-to-day basis. If you don’t use an item, pack it up and store it until you can move it or donate it.
4. Think 12-12-12
Each day, locate 12 items to throw away, 12 to put in their proper places, and 12 to donate. If you have more time to devote to the process, increase that number to 24.
5. Sort Items by Category
As you go through each room in your home, set aside piles or boxes for different categories that will help you declutter. Those categories should be items to keep, donate, rehome, and trash.
6. Declutter Your Home Room-by-Room
When potential buyers walk through your home, they’ll expect to see certain items in each room. If they don’t, your home might not feel warm and inviting enough. Keep this in mind so that you don’t get carried away with your decluttering project.
For example, your living room should still have a couch, accent table, and lighting. But you’ll want to get rid of things like DVDs and books. Kitchens should have some items in the cabinets and on counters but not be so cluttered that they appeared overcrowded.
7. Get Rid of Items You’ll No Longer Use
You might be concerned about what to do with all of these items that you’re choosing not to keep as you declutter your home. Here are a few options:
- Give Items to Loved Ones – Just because something is leaving your home, that doesn’t mean a loved one can’t enjoy it or won’t want to have it as a keepsake.
- Sell Stuff Online – There are plenty of opportunities to sell items online through sources like eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
- Donate Items – Donate items to local and national charities that will pass them along to people less fortunate.
Ready to List Your Home for Sale?
If you’re ready to sell your home in the Lexington, SC area, we can help. The real estate professionals at The Lafayette Team have over 17 of combined experience helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Contact us today to learn more about how our extensive knowledge of the area and marking abilities can support your needs.