By Guest Blogger: Whitney K. Shaffer, Realtor
Selling your home can be a daunting task, but paired with the endless supply of kids clutter, toys and crafts around your home can make it seem impossible.
As not only a realtor, but also a mother, I appreciate the difficulties that many face when they list their home and also have children. I myself recently made a move and didn’t realize that my one child had so many toys. I had two giant packing boxes full of just stuffed animals. This much “stuff” can definitely put a wrench in your plans to list your home, making it difficult to keep clean and uncluttered.
There are, however, steps that one can take to make it easier to deal with the clutter of children while trying to sell your home.
1) Utilize a storage unit
Not only is it essential for anyone to de-clutter when listing their home, but when you have countless toys hanging around it becomes that more important. Put anything that you can function without in storage. As far as toys go, your children probably don’t even play with them all, so it becomes important to go through them and select a few that are easily stored in a toy box or out of sight. All other toys should be put in storage or donated.
2) Involve your kids in cleaning
Depending on the age of your children, you may or may not be able to take this step, but even young children can help out some. As mentioned earlier, you should already have a minimal number of toys laying around, so have them pick up their toys daily and put them back in a toy box. Other chores small children can do is helping make the beds or wipe down counter tops. Older children can no doubt take on more responsibility and more chores.
3) Have a cleaning schedule
You don’t have to spend hours every day cleaning your home to make sure it’s show ready. Creating a schedule to clean will help you maintain your home in a condition that is ready to show. Perhaps you spend 15 minutes in the morning making beds and cleaning breakfast dishes, and 30 minutes in the evenings doing pickup and other maintenance chores. Whatever the schedule, make sure it is something that works for you and your family and you will be more likely to keep it up.
4) Get out of the house
Undoubtedly the more time you spend in a home, the more chances you have to mess it up, so try getting out and about more. Maybe you take the family out to eat or take the kids to the park or to visit relatives on the weekend to avoid destroying all of the work you have put in throughout the week. Look at it as a chance to try new things and visit new places. It might even catch on as part of your regular routine.
By employing these steps into your routine, you will be able to maintain your home in a show ready state. Remember that it doesn’t take all of your free time to maintain your home, but it will take consistency and dedication. If you go a day or two without cleaning, expect to have to make up that missed time. Don’t get discouraged if your home doesn’t sell immediately, but odds are you will be much better off and your home will definitely show better if you are able to keep up the maintenance. Best of luck with your home listing!
Whitney K. Shaffer, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty River Cities
5700 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 31904
Office 706.221.6900 | Cell 706.573.0774
[email protected]
Image Source: istockphoto.com
