When preparing your home for listing or helping a homeowner prepare, the task is never a pleasant one. I often thought that anyone convicted of a minor crime or fraud should be sentenced to help an elderly couple who lived in a home for 30 years prepare to move. I am sure this would prevent them from ever doing anything wrong again. The harsher the crime the more difficult the move. If you steal from a convenience store you are sentenced to move a piano player to a three story walk up.
Anyway, nuff said. I have a program that I used for 17 years and perfected as time went along and things changed to make this task as simple as possible. You do not need to be listing or moving but because this is the time when most people need this advice, I am focusing on them. The program is being sold and I will offer some of what is contained here. I am hoping that it will give agents something they can randomly hand out to their sellers without hurting their feelings. Every agent knows of several homes that simply show terribly but with some organization and cleaning they will shine up nice and sell fast.
The basis of this is to discipline yourself and your family to live with what you need and stop spending time cleaning, sorting and especially moving items you will not use. It teaches us to use what we need and let go of what we do not. If you follow this you have to follow it to the letter or it is a waste of time.
1. Make a list of everyone in the home and what they do. For instance little Sally is six and goes to kindergarten. Two days a week she takes dancing and one day a week she takes swimming at the YMCA.
After making a list of everyone on a separate piece of paper for each write down what they need for these activities follow the list below which allows each person to keep certain things.
Each person receives a keepsake box. This can be a plain box or a fancy one. Each person receives the same size and can only keep personal items enough to fill the box. Nothing more.
Each Bedroom
1 Bed for each person or one for couples.
1 Dresser for each person in the room
1 Nightstand
1 Lamp for each person
1 Television in each room if allowed
1 Game set for children with 6 games max.
1 Telephone in each bedroom
1 Throw or area rug
1 Jewelry box or men's box for jewelry or items
1 Picture on wall
1 Photo on nightstand
1 Personal kit ie..make-up, toothbrush, brush, comb, mirror, shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, after shave or perfume two types only.
Clothing lists are included in the program
Living Room
Sofa
Love Seat
Area Rug
TV stand or entertainment center
TV
Coffee Table
2 End Tables
1 Chair
1 Set fireplace tools if you have a fireplace
2 Lamps
3 Wall Pictures
1 Photo of each household member and one family photo
Children have their school backpack on a hook on the back of their door or closet door
Children with activities have a bag packed at all times with their activities uniform or items ready to go. When they arrive home, the items are washed and repacked so there is nothing laying around or racing to get the uniform ready in a moments notice.
Each room has a hamper for clothing, one in the bath for towels, after they are dried and each room has a towel rack in the closet for the bath towel for each person. Towels are used to dry clean bodies and absolutely can be used a few times. This cuts back on wash immensely. Another idea to cut wash is to use only a bottom sheet on children's beds. They do not need the top sheet. If you have three children that is one load.
Dining Room
Table and chairs (one for each person and a few extras for guests)
Lamp
Side Board (china cabinet)
2 Pictures
Kitchen
Table and Chairs
Pantry cabinet or another type of cabinet if needed
List of kitchen items are in the package
Fridge/Freezer
Stove
Dishwasher
Washer / Dryer if in the kitchen area
Bathroom
Towel rack with guest towels
Small decorative items (2) in the bathroom
Shower curtain and liner if necessary
Bath mat
Plunger
Toilet brush under sink
Cleaner under sink
List of other bathroom items are in package
Everything else must be donated or sold. You will not use it and you will not look at it. Why take it from home to home with you.
For anyone interested in purchasing the package, send an e mail and I will forward the package when completed. I have a few more things to add then will upload it to a website for purchase. The package will be detailed and will have exact amounts. When using clothing lists, do not over exaggerate,. Only what is used and worn. Winter and summer clothing exchanges will be made using space bags that are stored in the back of each closet in the off season. Any expensive suits or coats can be stored at dry cleaners or in protective bags in closets.
There are a few other rooms and are included in the packag. There are mud rooms and laundry rooms as well as a few other details that are more specific. Attic and garage are also included. This gives some idea of how to eliminate the clutter and keep things orderly. The methods of cleaning and they products that work best are included. When you are trying to spruce up your home remember to use classic decorations, mute colors like tan, off white and light yellows. All other colors are per taste and could cost you the sale. Everyone knows they can paint. It is just something that causes people to be turned off. You want to please everyone that comes in. Few people do not like the classic decorative items and colors/patterns. Use these and keep it clean and it will pay off many times over.
If there are any questions you can e mail and I will be happy to answer. You can also comment here.
Thanks, and best of luck with any sales and moving.
