JennifersLost Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 We plan to put our house up for sale at the end of February/early March and I feel like I should be "doing something", but I don't know what. With all the sorting I've been doing it's not really very cluttered. I can't clean yet, obviously. Should I start boxing up stuff we don't use? Is that weird? What if we don't sell? I did that last time and then I had to unpack a bunch of stuff. How do you handle it when you put your house up for sale? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janna Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 That's always the time that I go through closets and storage areas deciding on what I want to move with me and what can be tossed. Generally, I would leave everything up and in it's place that someone who walked thru would see. I would go through the areas that the people wouldn't see too much of, or at least wouldn't spend a lot of time staring at. The garage is also a good place to start, or drawers, cabinets, etc.... If you wanted to make things look a little more stream lined, you could always take down some pictures, if you have a lot hanging. Don't take them all down obviously, but enough that the walls don't look full of pictures. But that might not even be an issue for you. Those are the areas I start in anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 We've had to move ourselves 3 times, and each time I took the opportunity to pare down possessions. You've already been doing that. I would start boxing up stuff like clothes from other seasons (if you have any) or tools and the like. We didn't have to sell a house, just moved from one rental to the next (or into the Rectory, last time--but that was a professional move not a diy). Still, I'd box what you could reasonable live without for a few weeks. Label really, really well, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Our landlord is probably going to be foreclosed on, but we don't know when. I'm just collecting boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Year Round Mom Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 We'll be moving whenever my dh gets orders to move, anytime between now and September! Ack! He's in the military. Besides decluttering and packing up unused stuff, I'm making a list of cleaning tasks I'll have to do (I'm not actually going to do it, though, until we have a timeframe. I'm a procrastinator with the accompanying bad habit of rationalizing.) Anyways, some of the things on my list: removing and cleaning knobs on drawers and cabinets, though we might end up replacing them instead; powerwash and restain deck; powerwash outside of house; clean under appliances; dust light fixtures and fans; etc. And these are not cleaning tasks, but need to be done to prep the house to go on the market: landscaping; replacing burnt-out lightbulbs; repainting walls if the magic eraser doesn't work; etc. Should be fun :glare: ETA: oops, you weren't going to clean yet; well, at least you could make the list, right? Doesn't list-making feel like you're doing something productive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 It gives me a sense of control when there is really nothing else I can do, and it helps get me organized when it is time to do something. You could make a schedule of what would have to be done when starting at moving day and working backwards. Rather than dating it, plan it out as "day before," "week before", etc. Also, include on the list phone and account numbers for utility companies, your new address, etc. so that you don't have to hunt for it later. You will have everything in one place when it is time to call to change utility services, forward mail, etc. If you know your new address, you could make up change of address forms/ cards now and have them ready to drop in the mail as soon as you know when you are moving. Also, instead of just boxing up stuff you don't use often (off-season clothes, fancier dishes, and the like) you could organize them. Pack them into labeled boxes that you can keep them in even if you stay so that you can find them when you need them but not have to completely unpack the whole box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WTMCassandra Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 It gives me a sense of control when there is really nothing else I can do, and it helps get me organized when it is time to do something. You could make a schedule of what would have to be done when starting at moving day and working backwards. Rather than dating it, plan it out as "day before," "week before", etc. Also, include on the list phone and account numbers for utility companies, your new address, etc. so that you don't have to hunt for it later. You will have everything in one place when it is time to call to change utility services, forward mail, etc. If you know your new address, you could make up change of address forms/ cards now and have them ready to drop in the mail as soon as you know when you are moving. Also, instead of just boxing up stuff you don't use often (off-season clothes, fancier dishes, and the like) you could organize them. Pack them into labeled boxes that you can keep them in even if you stay so that you can find them when you need them but not have to completely unpack the whole box. :iagree: especially about the lists. I LOVE lists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweetpeach Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Purge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthie Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Yes, use this time to declutter and start packing up the stuff you don't need. It gives me a small sense of accomplishment during such a hard time. Good Luck! Ruthie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keptwoman Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Purge or pack anything you won't need in the next few months, declutter. Deal with any minor maintenance issues. Freshen paintwork, tidy and weed the garden, wash curtains. Clean up or paint any furniture in poor maintenance. Staging a house for sale is not a quick or easy process, so start now!! There was a thread a week or so ago on house staging for sale. That might give you some ideas as to what you could start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweetpeach Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 weed the garden This made me giggle, coming from our Lovely Australian Boardie-Friend . . . This shivering Canuck would enjoy a status report on weeding that garden, during the winter freeze of Northern British Columbia! lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peri Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I would not pack up anything unless the house has been sold. Buyers are usually good at giving you time to pack up and move out. Besides, its all that stuff we don't need that makes our house look like a home and if you put that away it might make it harder to sell. I would, right now, concentrate more on making the home look sellable. We just bought a house and because of the way the house was, we almost didn't buy it. It had some tacky old wall paper up. that wall paper just made the house look so old. Well, we bought the house and just by taking down the wallpaper and painting the walls it looks totally different. It doesn't look so old anymore lol. I can actually see myself living in that house now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I took a Ambien and it is working on my typing skills. I'll pot=st a good one tomrooro. Nignt alll, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest janainaz Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 I start to organize and get rid of anything and everything I don't need. I make every cupboard and cabinet, closet and shelf, moving box ready. Just organize and when you move it's much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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