Written by Sarah Thompson, owner of Clean Slate Home Organizing
Imagine you’ve decided to sell your home. What’s the first thing that you’d do to get it ready for market? What else would make your home more attractive to potential buyers?
I run Clean Slate Home Organizing, a home organizing business serving clients primarily in Chittenden County, and I often ask my clients these questions, whether or not they are considering selling. When we identify what would be welcoming to a potential buyer, much of it will be in alignment with what would make you feel happy and comfortable in your own space.
At this time of year, nature invites us to welcome new possibilities. It’s a time of anticipation and hope for what’s to come. So, I encourage you to harness the energy of new growth and possibilities that the season offers and declutter and organize your home as if you were preparing to sell.
- Pretend you are selling your home. Walk from room to room and generate a list of all the things that you would do to the space. If you share your home with others, you might want to involve them in this process too. Your list will likely include some larger projects (refinish the floors, update the cabinets, etc.) and lots of smaller projects such as easy repairs, decluttering closets, and tidying shelves.
- Look at the list of smaller projects and ask yourself: Which of these projects feel doable this spring? Which would free up space – physically or emotionally? Which would help me enjoy my home more?
- Choose a couple easy projects to tackle that would bring new life into your space. You may experience a new appreciation for how lovely your home is and realize that you have more space than you thought.
Here are the suggestions that I give my clients:
Get rid of all the stuff that is no longer serving you: It’s been said that most homeowners only use 25% of their belongings. Pass along outgrown toys, kitchen gadgets, and clothes that don't suit you. When you go through your house as if you were preparing to leave it, you will find tons of items that you don't actually use or want....get them out of the house now!
Fix that curtain rod, light switch, door knob, or other item that you've been putting off repairing for years, and create a "new" home that you love to spend time in. If a repair can be done in 30 minutes or less, do it this spring.
Create space for something that energizes you. It’s not just children who outgrow their toys! Often we keep gear or supplies from hobbies or activities that we no longer do. Even though the camping gear, cake decorating accessories, puzzles or hockey equipment might be difficult to part with, know that you are giving it new life when you pass it along to those who will actually use it. Create more space for what you love now in your current home.
Tap into the energy of spring and refresh your space so that you enjoy it more now. And then, when the time does come to sell, not only will you have knocked a bunch of things off your to-do list, but you will have also had months or maybe even years of living in a house that feels spacious and comfortable and brings you joy.
