Selling Your Home: How Busy Parents Can Keep Things Spotless During The Process

It may seem impossible to keep things spotless when you have little ones who like to play and leave behind messes, but fortunately, there are a few tricks you can employ to help you get through the process without too much stress. When it comes to preparing your home to put it on the market, the devil is in the details, so it’s important to make task lists so nothing is forgotten.

The easiest way to get started is by getting organized. Decluttering your home will not only allow you to prep your home more quickly, it will also take off some of the pressure when you’re ready to move because you won’t have so much to sort through and pack. Take a look around your home to get an idea of what can be pared down, organized, and/or depersonalized so potential buyers can see the highlights of your home.

Here are a few things to try when you’re a busy parent with a house to sell.

Get Some Help

No one can do everything themselves; it’s important to remember that when it’s time to get your home ready for showings, regularly cleaning can work wonders, but you may not have time to do it.

Now is the time to consider hiring a professional housekeeper to whip your home into shape; they can even come back every week to maintain the sparkle and tend to any other household needs until the house is sold. Best of all, if you find a housekeeper who is a good fit, you can use them when you move into your new home to continue helping with general house upkeep, laundry needs, various errands or even food prep. 

Remove or Change the Furniture

Taking one piece of furniture out of a room can significantly change a room when it comes to making the space look bigger, and big rooms are a benefit when you’re trying to sell a home. However, you can also change out pieces in order to “stage” the home; for instance, if your couch is on the older side or has pet stains on the cushions, consider swapping it out for a rental that will elevate the space the way a model home would. 

Clean as You Go

Remember, if you can clean as you go and take care of the little things each day, it will be much easier to maintain a tidy home -- housekeeper or no housekeeper. Wash dishes as you use them, keep folded laundry put away, and have the kids pick up their toys and backpacks before they go to bed at night.

If you’re a dog owner, make sure you have a scooper on hand to clean up any waste. If possible look for a scooper that’s easy to use and can be operated with only one hand. Not only will this help you keep things clean, it will also ensure your house is prepared should a potential buyer drop by unexpectedly.

Declutter

Decluttering can be a pretty big task, especially if you have a large home or have been collecting things for many years. But decluttering is crucial because the fewer items you have in a room, the bigger the space will appear.

Books, movies, music, photos, and mementos like snow globes may look appealing to you, but to a potential buyer, they are a distraction that prevents them from being able to see themselves living there. Declutter and depersonalize by removing collections (you can pack these up and store them for the moment), framed family photos, and items with sentimental value so your buyer can see the house rather than the belongings.

Selling a home and getting it ready to put on the market can be a very stressful time, so be sure to take care of yourself during the process. Try to stick to your normal schedule as much as possible, both for your sake and the sake of your children, since they can become anxious or stressed during this time as well. It won’t be long until you’re all on the other side, with a sold home and a new one to settle into.

Guest Blogger: Kristin Louis