Good morning everyone, I had a request from someone to write a guest blog for me and I am happy to provide to each of you. As we get into the season of buying and selling houses while balancing work at the same time, this becomes a relevant topic. I hope you enjoy this blog from Kristin Louis. I hope you enjoy this post!
Being a parent is a full-time job, but so is getting your house ready for sale. Thankfully, there are ways to successfully juggle both of these monumentally important tasks. Here are some tips for preparing your property before you put it on the market.
Declutter and Open Space
The goal is to make your home look as spacious as possible to a buyer, and this requires letting go of things. Decluttering is difficult, particularly for children, so start early and let them have the final say-so. After all, they may not be ready to part with many of their toys, and that’s okay. Instead, ask what they can tolerate being put into storage, and then emphasize that they will get their treasures back. Once you have helped your children, look to the rest of the house. As a start, limit furniture, as too many large pieces can make a room seem smaller. Don’t overlook places like the kitchen since potential buyers will probably go through your cupboards. So, use canned goods when possible and decide which kitchenware can be kept or put away.
Think Curb Appeal
The first thing a buyer will see is the outside, whether looking at your property on a realtor’s website or when stopping by for an open house. Making it as glamorous as the inside will mean tending to your garden and keeping everything in pristine condition. However, you may not have time to spend hours each weekend pulling weeds, so take what measures you can to cut corners without sacrificing style. A stone pathway (which can cost on average between $13 and $17 per square foot to install) can make mowing a lawn easier, and drought-tolerant plants need less looking after than others. This may seem like work, but maintenance is minimal, and you can involve the family as a way to bond and have fun. Even small changes can make a difference, such as replacing your mailbox or repainting your front door.
Keep the Kids in Good Spirits
Moving is rough on kids, even if you’re not taking them out of their school or making them leave behind their friends. A home represents security, and the unknown can be scary. Try to get them excited by turning things into an adventure, but don’t force the issue. Allow them to say goodbye in their own way, and let them plan out their new room. If all else fails, distract them with fun activities during your downtime. Go to the library and let them pick out a new book to read, have fun playing together at the park in your new neighborhood, or take them for a picnic over the weekend. The options are endless and don’t have to cost a dime.
Stay Clean
Maintaining a clean property will be one of the most difficult parts of putting your house on the market. We cannot avoid the messes kids often make, and piles happen even when we habitually pick up. Unfortunately, everything needs to look spotless to attract a buyer, including things that don’t come with the home, like the refrigerator. That can take work and time, so it may be best to hire a housekeeping service to come in once or twice a week to keep your house in top shape. In addition to cleaning, a housekeeping service can also help you with other tasks, such as garbage disposal, some pet care, and running a few errands.
Stage the Property
Like the exterior, your home's interior needs to shine and look flawless, and the best way to achieve that is through staging. To start, use as much natural light as you can to expand space, and make sure furniture does not block walkways. Avoid bright colors, especially on walls; instead, use them as accent pieces. One last touch is to set your table with your best dishware and keep everything smelling lovely and fresh. You don’t want to rely on scented sprays, so open windows to air out your property when you can.
It’s a busy time of life, and children may have a hard time processing the change at first. However, you need to find the right balance between family life and preparation. With patience, teamwork, and help when needed, you can have a successful sale.
Image courtesy of Pixabay