XP: Getting your house ready to move

Embracetheday · February 2012

We are trying to get our house on the market this spring. It's in great shape as terms of updates and things like that, but there are tons of little "touch ups" that need to be done in each room (painting, cleaning tile, decluttering, etc).

Is there any type of master list someone knows about out there that lists a good plan for getting these things accomplished and double checking yourself?

We've made our own sort of list but I'm sure there are little things we'll think of as we go along and I just don't want to think of them all the day before the open house!

Thanks for the help!!!

clea · February 2012

A friend has their house on the market and they had to make the house look like 1)there was plenty of space for all their stuff, so about half went into a storage unit, and 2) it looks like there is space for entertaining.

I think the terms "open and airy" it hot now, too.

A master list would have been a great thing for them.

cindyhow · February 2012

We sold our townhouse last spring, we put all the extra stuff in storage. even the things in the "storage/laundry room" so that it was not cluttered - ie luggage, extra boxes of decorations etc. Extra furniture that cluttered up a room (ie I had two dressers in a small room - 1 went into storage). Our realtor walked thru a couple months before and told us what we needed to update (fixtures etc), what could stay, what else to do. I packed up a bunch of kitchen items so I could store all the counter top appliances away in the cabinets for a showing. Also pack away all those little pictures, nick nacks, and the stuff on your frig., pack away extra coats in the closets. etc. It really helps. I would suggest getting a cleaning company to do a deep clean before the listing pictures.

Temp6313048411121614 · February 2012

Just like the PP's mentioned, get as much of your stuff out as possible. Pack up your summer clothes, pack up most pictures, pack up anything that you don't NEED. I kept only 2 towels and 1 set of sheets unpacked so that the linen closet wasn't stuffed. You don't want it to look like you're running out of space. Spend 1 weekend doing your little touch ups, then have a reltor come and tell you what more needs to be done.

Embracetheday · February 2012

Thanks for these suggestions! We are starting by going through each room in the house and clearing out everything that isn't necessary. It's going to make me wish we lived more simply - I love open space!

Tantek · February 2012

Hi! We just sold our house in January. Here are the things I remember from the stager (paid for by our real estate agent):

- make sure potential buyers can tell how deep each closet is, whether that means taking stuff off the rod and packing, or clearing the floor or shelf, whatever

- clear off all your counters in the kitchen and bathrooms

- polish stuff like anything stainless so that it sparkles in pictures

- any displays like a china cabinet etc, keep minimalistic (ie my china cabinet was reduced to 6 glasses, 2 plates, and a figurine)

- remove any floormats before pictures and before showings because they break-up the sight-line; same for artwork - keep it minimalistic

Hope that helps! Good luck