Smart and Simple Ways Parents Can Reduce Clutter With a Home on the Market – Today’s guest blog is by Parenting with Chris. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Restoration and Remodeling.
Smart & Simple Ways Parents Can Reduce Clutter in the Home
Looking for ways to keep your home clutter-free while it’s on the market? If you’re trying to sell, you cannot afford to let clutter and messiness win. If you do, potential buyers will walk out the door before they even make it beyond the living room. If you’re in need of smart, simple solutions, look no further than these tips for parents who are prepping their homes for sale.
Décor that can store
The easiest way to declutter your home is to store everyday items in decorative items that have a dual function—benches that open to hold blankets, ottomans that can store board games, baskets with lids for soccer balls and cleats. Modular shelves with bins, for instance, can be a cost-effective way to add pops of color and smart organizational solutions.
Do your research
Look at similar homes in your area that are on the market to better gauge buyer needs, wants and expectations. For example, Redfin notes hot selling properties in Gainesville typically go pending in just 15 days, whereas average listings wait more than a month longer. By examining trends, you can see what the top properties look like and employ similar staging techniques. You could even consider going to a few open houses to see the different solutions people have for decluttering, storage, and display.
Use closet organizers
Parents on a time constraint may think tossing clutter into a closet is an okay solution before a showing, but closet space is actually one of the most sought-after commodities for house hunters. In other words, you want your closets to look as pristine as your kitchen counters. Aim for efficient storage and pare down where you must. It’s a good time to start packing off-season wear and make some donations or have a yard sale while you’re at it.
Establish a daily chore chart
If your kids are old enough to participate, Fatherly suggests creating a chore chart so everyone can pitch in on duties. Ensure everyone has an age-appropriate responsibility to keep the house decluttered for showings.
You can even incentivize the chart. Consider allowing the kid who gets the most done to have first-pick of bedrooms at the next abode, or let them choose the location for the next family vacation. With a little motivation, everyone will be on board.
And you don’t have to tell them, but be sure to reward everyone in some manner. Maybe they pick special decor for their rooms at the next house or a game for moving day. They will be that much more excited about the transition.
Limit the additional clutter
Daily clutter and chaos from kids are common, so it might be easier to manage the madness by examining clutter from other areas. For instance, you can take your dog to a daycare or dog camp to keep their clutter and debris to a minimum. Put aside any messy hobbies, like tying fly fishing flies or painting mosaic tiles, on hiatus until your home is sold.
Rent a storage unit
Minimalism is key when staging a home, which can be tricky for sellers with busy households. Consider freeing up space by moving all nonessential and off-season items into a storage unit. Also, consider keeping mess-inducing belongings (like BMX bikes or crafting supplies) in a unit unless you are settled into the new space and/or ready to use them.
Hire a cleaning company
If you have to choose between having dinner with your family or cleaning up the den, choose dinner. You can always hire a company to come in weekly to do a deep dive into sprucing up (but that means you have to maintain the house for the next six days) or daily to keep on top of things.
Selling your home can be stressful enough, but adding kids into the mix can take the hustle to a whole new level. While it might seem like an insurmountable challenge, keeping clutter to a minimum can be easy. With a little creativity and planning, you can stay one step ahead of the mess and your home will be sold in no time!