Handy guide to packing, decluttering, and staging your home when selling.
One of the reasons sellers hesitate to list their house on the market is the stress that comes with it. If you are a seller, the question of how and when to start with decluttering, packing, and staging comes to mind. Today, I’m going to share some tips with my friend Bridget Flynn, the owner of Divine Organizing, to help you out as you make your move as smooth as possible.
1. Declutter early. Bridget emphasized the importance of starting early. Give yourself weeks or even months to declutter your home. Don’t wait until the last minute to declutter to prevent stress and make the moving process feel manageable. Another tip to avoid being overwhelmed is to declutter one room at a time. This way, you’ll see your progress and stay motivated. Once you’re finished with a room, put a sign on it as a badge of what you’ve accomplished and as a reminder that no one is allowed to enter the room until moving day.
“With these decluttering, packing and staging tips, you’re well on your way to a seamless move.”
2. Pack like a pro. When it comes to packing, it is best to use high-quality materials. Bridget recommends buying boxes from Home Depot and packing paper from U-Haul. Using low-quality boxes and papers will not protect your things, and you might regret using them eventually. Pack your personal items, like family photos, collections, and keepsakes, ahead of time when selling your house. This helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in your space as well as creates a blank canvas for buyers to project on, making your home sell faster.
3. Effective staging. Use a neutral color palette when staging your home, particularly Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace paint, which is a true white that adapts to the surrounding decor, creating a warm or cool vibe depending on the room. Also, this color creates a clean and inviting space. Lastly, having good lighting is a game-changer. Open your curtains, have your windows cleaned, and strategically place your lamps in dark corners. Ideally, five to seven light sources per room are recommended, but if you can get more, then that’s good too. Use lighting to make your home warm and inviting by swapping the cool-toned bulbs with warm lights. Remember that you want your home to feel warm, and cool-toned light bulbs are often used in an office setting.
With these decluttering, packing and staging tips, you’re well on your way to a seamless move. If you need a personalized moving game plan or just want someone else to handle this for you, give Bridget a call, and she’ll be happy to help. You can also reach out to me if you need any help regarding any of your real estate needs. Call me or send me an email, and I’ll be more than honored to assist you.
