THE BENEFITS OF AN UNCLUTTERED HOME

If you are thinking of selling your home,

I am sure you have heard someone say

you should start by de-cluttering your home.

 

Did you know there are benefits of an uncluttered home

whether you are selling or not? 

1.  BETTER PHOTOS - If you are selling your home, you obviously want the photos used to market your property to be the best they can be.  After all, if you don't have photos or have bad photo, buyers might assume there is something wrong with your home and choose not to view it. 

Even if you are not selling...the holidays are coming up and wouldn't a de-cluttered home look nice in the photos you snap on Christmas morning? 



View here to view tips on uncluttering your kitchen


2.  EASY CLEANING - An uncluttered home has a place for everything so when you get a call from a friend who wants to stop by in a few minutes to wish you "Happy Holidays" or you get a call for a last minute showing...you can be ready in no time.  Once your home is de-cluttered, everything has a place and all the "extra" stuff is out of the way.

3.  REDUCED STRESS - Who couldn't use a little less stress?  Have you had those mornings when you can't find your keys or you other shoe to get out the door in the morning?  Do you look around your family room and dread moving all the knick-knacks to dust?  These little things cause stress.  Remove the clutter and removes at least some of your stress.  

So how do you get started? 

Conquer one area at a time.  
It is probably not reasonable to de-clutter the whole house in a weekend, but conquering one area is.  Maybe start with the bathroom...throw out outdated items from the medicine cabinet, organize the linen closet with boxes for alike items, toss or donate extra towels and toiletries. 
 
If you don't use it regularly - donate it, sell it or toss it.
If you have boxes of craft supplies, tools, or other items that "might come in handy one day" it is time to move them out.  Do you know someone who can use them now?  Donate them to a school or shelter.  Sell them on Craigslist.  Recycle them. 

If it's not in use - put it away.
We all have those appliances we leave on the counter just because.  If you don't use the waffle maker a couple times a week...it needs to be put away between uses.  Less clutter on surfaces has a calming affect and makes it easier to use your space on a daily basis.

Everything needs a home.
As soon as something is brought into the house, it need a permanent "home"...a place where it is put when not in use and I don't mean piled in the corner of the dining room!

Removed unneeded furniture.
Take a look at each room in your house and ask yourself "When was the last time I used that furniture...except for to pile stuff on?"  If it isn't being used, then get rid of it. Click here for tips on arranging furniture.

Clear the floors.
Do you have extra area rugs or piles of books on the floor?  Find a new home or get rid of anything on your floor that makes it easier to vacuum or sweep.

Minimize decor. 
Less is more when it comes to decorating.  If you have just a couple of nice piece of art or photos on your wall, you will be apple to appreciate them more that if the walls are full.  Same goes for thing on tabletops or shelves.  Same goes for the surfaces in your home.  A couple nice things will be more appreciated and provide space to use your furniture instead of filling it with knick-knacks.

The bottom line is, you have the power to de-clutter your life. 

Just start small and conquer a little at a time. 

I bet the result will be a more relaxed,

less stressful home in 2013!

 

If you would like more information on how to prepare your home to sell
for top dollar faster, call Brenda at (207)784-3800
or e-mail brenda@fontaineteam.com!