Placing your house on the market to include having the house ready for showings and inspections being performed once there is a contract can be stressful. Having children, pets and/or being a caregiver, it can take the stress to a whole new level. Between the toys, snacks, homework, providing meals and everyday activities, keeping your house “show-ready” can be challenging. But don’t worry; there is a way to manage the chaos and still present a clean, inviting home to your potential buyers.
Some strategies that might help, provide you a bit of flexibility to help you sell your house without losing your mind while still presenting a clean and inviting house for your potential buyers.
1. Declutter
Though it might seem overwhelming at first but have a decluttering session. Go through your house and eliminate the items you do not want to move and pack away the items you wish to keep but will not need while you are waiting for the closing on your house. Items can include seasonal clothing, kitchen items you do not need now, personal items, toys, etc. Now you have a head start on the packing when the time comes to move and have the bonus of making the house look more spacious. Also, if you wish you can use clear bins or other boxes to pack items in but label what is in each bin or box to make unpacking at your new home less stressful and less work. Use a place in the garage, closet or storage unit to place the boxes.
2. Prepare an “Essentials Bag”
As your daily life continues regardless of scheduled showings, to help make showings less stressful, keep a few essentials already packed in a bag, bin or tote bag. One for when you have a showing up coming. Include items such as quick cleaning supplies, air freshener, link roller, wipes, etc. In addition, have an essentials bag to meet the needs and wants of yourself, children, pets or other family members so that leaving the home is not so stressful. Examples for this essentials bag might be books, puzzles, games, snacks, diapers, and more.
3. Develop a daily routine that includes a quick tidy up Insurance
Add to your daily routine a quick tidy up in the morning and the evening. If you have family members in the house – involve them. Provide them with a couple of tidy up tasks to help them be part of the activities and to relieve you of the full workload. Perhaps they can be responsible for making their bed and picking up items left around their room as examples.
4. Designate one area as a Zone
Though the object is to keep your entire home tidy and ready for showings this is not always possible. Consider designating an area that is for “kids”, pets, etc. Though you will want the area to be tidy, this provides an area that helps make the stress of keeping the house ready to show while providing an area for family or pets. A zone area can help contain clutter as well as allows a potential buyer to see how the flexible an area could be to meet their own specific needs.
5. Ask For Help
Ask your family, friends or neighbors if they can offer to help. Some, if not many, will have been through the same situation you are addressing with the sale of your house. Perhaps to babysit, walk or house set a pet or offer a space to store a few boxes you have already packed as examples. If you have it in your budget, consider hiring a cleaner to come to the house once a week.
6. Once you have a contract generally there will be an inspection
If there is an inspection, the inspector will need to be able to access many areas of your house to include the HVAC, Water Heater, Electrical Panel, plumbing in your kitchen and bathrooms and more. In addition, it is common for a buyer to attend the inspection. Tidy and uncluttered will assist the work to be done by the inspector and help you buyer to be comfortable with their desire to purchase your house.
Placing your house on the market comes with challenges but these can be overcome with planning and knowing what to expect. With a bit of preparation and planning you will be able to simplify the impact of showings and inspections. The object being your house is sold and your sanity remains intact.
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