4 Tips for Decluttering Your Home
When you're ready to sell your home at the Lake of the Ozarks, one of the first steps you should take is to declutter your home. From the attic to the basement and everything in between, you want to go through every room in the house. While it may be difficult, try not to be sentimental, if you don't use it, get rid of it. Potential buyers are seriously put off by clutter. Keep reading for tips on de-cluttering your home from the Fran Campbell Team!
The thought of decluttering your home can be overwhelming. Where do you even start? Making a plan and setting goals will help you stay focused and be efficient in decluttering your home. Start with a list or map of all the rooms and specific areas that need tackling. Then prioritize them by which area needs the most work. Set goals for when you want each area completed and be sure to set aside specific time to work on the project, especially for the areas that may take longer like the garage or the basement. If you only have an hour or less to work, consider tackling a smaller area such as the under-the-sink cabinet.
As you go through each area, you want to have a system for how you will sort your personal belongings. One of the most common methods uses three baskets or three piles: one for keep, one for donations and one for trash. This method forces you to make decisions one item at a time; this helps you avoid creating a bigger mess than the one you started with. Clear a space in your house where you can stack boxes and bags that you want to get rid of or donate. As for the things you want to keep, make sure you have a place to put them where they are out of the way. Consider using labeled bins or other organizers to keep your space looking nice and clean.
If you're serious about decluttering your home, you need to make a commitment to yourself that you're actually going to get rid of stuff. You need to mentally prepare yourself for what's to come. Many of the items you'll find don't have much monetary value anymore, but may hold some sentimental value. Think about the last time you used the item - if you can't remember when that was, you should probably just get rid of it. Consider the 80/20 rule. We typically only wear 20% of the clothes we own, 80% of the time. The same applies for the use of other items in your house as well. Your mission should be to get rid of the things that you don't use 80% of the time.
Before you commit to an entire room, pick a small project to tackle, to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. Counter tops, shelves and other flat services are the biggest clutter-magnets in your home. They are the "catch-all" places for everything you're either too lazy to put away or that doesn't have a place. Mail, bills, magazines, you name it, you're sure to find them on those flat surfaces. This is a great starting point for your decluttering project. While you may need to keep a few items on the counter, make it a goal to keep those areas free of clutter.
Once you've gone through everything and decided what you're keeping or getting rid of, consider having a moving sale. Then you can use the money to purchase new paint or other items to spruce up the home to get it ready to sell. If you don't want to try to have a sale, donate them to your local thrift shop or a charity in need. For all your Lake of the Ozarks real estate needs, whether you're trying to sell or are ready to buy, contact the Fran Campbell Team!
Real Estate Lake of the Ozarks : Find Your Dream Home Now!
Be sure to "Like"our Facebook page, "Follow"us on Twitter, and "Connect" with the Fran Campbell Team on LinkedIn.
Contact Fran Campbell Team at RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks for all your real estate needs.
Fran Campbell Team
Lake of the Ozarks BEST Realtor
www.FranCampbell.com
Fran@FranCampbell.com
1-573-302-2390 Office
1-573-280-1110 Cell
1. Set Goals.
The thought of decluttering your home can be overwhelming. Where do you even start? Making a plan and setting goals will help you stay focused and be efficient in decluttering your home. Start with a list or map of all the rooms and specific areas that need tackling. Then prioritize them by which area needs the most work. Set goals for when you want each area completed and be sure to set aside specific time to work on the project, especially for the areas that may take longer like the garage or the basement. If you only have an hour or less to work, consider tackling a smaller area such as the under-the-sink cabinet.
2. Create a System.
As you go through each area, you want to have a system for how you will sort your personal belongings. One of the most common methods uses three baskets or three piles: one for keep, one for donations and one for trash. This method forces you to make decisions one item at a time; this helps you avoid creating a bigger mess than the one you started with. Clear a space in your house where you can stack boxes and bags that you want to get rid of or donate. As for the things you want to keep, make sure you have a place to put them where they are out of the way. Consider using labeled bins or other organizers to keep your space looking nice and clean.
3. Make a Commitment.
If you're serious about decluttering your home, you need to make a commitment to yourself that you're actually going to get rid of stuff. You need to mentally prepare yourself for what's to come. Many of the items you'll find don't have much monetary value anymore, but may hold some sentimental value. Think about the last time you used the item - if you can't remember when that was, you should probably just get rid of it. Consider the 80/20 rule. We typically only wear 20% of the clothes we own, 80% of the time. The same applies for the use of other items in your house as well. Your mission should be to get rid of the things that you don't use 80% of the time.
4. Clean Off Flat Surfaces First.
Before you commit to an entire room, pick a small project to tackle, to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. Counter tops, shelves and other flat services are the biggest clutter-magnets in your home. They are the "catch-all" places for everything you're either too lazy to put away or that doesn't have a place. Mail, bills, magazines, you name it, you're sure to find them on those flat surfaces. This is a great starting point for your decluttering project. While you may need to keep a few items on the counter, make it a goal to keep those areas free of clutter.
Once you've gone through everything and decided what you're keeping or getting rid of, consider having a moving sale. Then you can use the money to purchase new paint or other items to spruce up the home to get it ready to sell. If you don't want to try to have a sale, donate them to your local thrift shop or a charity in need. For all your Lake of the Ozarks real estate needs, whether you're trying to sell or are ready to buy, contact the Fran Campbell Team!
Contact the Fran Campbell Team to schedule a showing!
Real Estate Lake of the Ozarks : Find Your Dream Home Now!
Be sure to "Like"our Facebook page, "Follow"us on Twitter, and "Connect" with the Fran Campbell Team on LinkedIn.Contact Fran Campbell Team at RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks for all your real estate needs.
Fran Campbell Team
Lake of the Ozarks BEST Realtor
www.FranCampbell.com
Fran@FranCampbell.com
1-573-302-2390 Office
1-573-280-1110 Cell
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