I certainly advise clients to start with their most clustered rooms to declutter and pack first. You want to downsize where you need it most before buyers get wind or “previews” of your home. Even if time is of the essence this has to be done to get photos, open houses, and showings done. Pick your worst room. Since most clients haven’t the slightest idea where to start, I always recommend closets first whether it’s your walk-in or the hoarding situation hiding in your hall closets. When you clean and clear your closets, it opens up room from other cupboards and cabinets, or the rooms themselves, to now store and stow hidden away for photos and tours. You don’t want your junk drawer to look like it’s moved into your linen closet or the coat closet in the living room. If you have this going on, let’s fix that!

1. What is your most disastrous cabinet or closet? Pick one. It can be the mudroom, your walk-in, the linen closet, whatever. Get to it. Without lying to you, this is is the most hectic and time-consuming part; BUT, the decluttering and downsizing must be done. If my clients are up for it, I always recommend they hire a local professional organizer for an extra set of hands and guidance into the process. The job will get done quickly and the chaos less stressful. If it’s not an option, hopefully I am able to help you get started and find some clarity in the madness so you can get started and boost your home’s show ability.  Get some boxes and bins laid out so in an hour you’re not drowning in hand rags, Christmas decorations, and all of the stuff you’re about to dump out. Oh, that’s right.
2. Pull it all out. Everything. Shelf by shelf, cupboard by cupboard, empty one side at a time and start small piles of categories. Towels and products are separate, cleaning rags are not with your makeup or shower towels; and half-empty bottles should be pulled forward and used up. Push everything else back or pack it up in a box or basket for later use. Like the moving boxes, have a few containers and baskets handy to sort and organize right away so putting everything back is a cinch. Have a loose plan how it will all go back in and what can be packed away already. The rest goes into the pile to: donate, trash, recycle, give away, or possibly sell.
3. Lay out boxes and piles then start neatly compiling. Fold nicely what should be folded and keep with like items. Washcloths aside from larger bath towels and bath mats. Separate guest from pool, from master, from kids, and so on. Boxed items to be packed away, put neatly and strategically with labels written and keep rooms together so unpacking is easy at the new house. For items staying, I recommend bins and baskets. Examples shown below for a few ways to keep everything together while staying neat and tidy during the move. They show well, photograph like a dream when they’re tidy and well put together,  moving from one home to another is so fast. They have handles often so lifting in and out to move or use while your home is listed is convenient and when the house closes, you lift out, put in the truck, and lift directly into your new home perfectly organized still. Everything is out and available for use the first day! You may not have time to go through and unpack a lot of the boxes, but this way your essentials are already handy and put away. Settling into your new home will be less stress!                                                       * Remember, less is more when your home is on the market and being photographed and viewed. Keep just enough what you can get by with for the next three to four months. You don’t need every towel you own still in the cupboards or bathrobes you only wear in winter when it’s still summer. If the Lake Effect is outside your window, pack up the pool towels and flip flops. If it’s a hundred degrees outside, the bathrobe can go nicely in a box. If you’re doing linens or your walk-in closet, pack up things you won’t use or wear for the next six months. Summer? Winter can go into boxes, and vice versa. If it’s snowing, your swimsuits and skimpy shorts definitely should be gone. (I know this is Southern California Home Blog, but you get the idea. If you’re moving from the cold to here, this also applies! “Goal” jeans and out of season items are pack now types of items.

4. For products and small items (toiletries, personal items), I love the idea of baskets again because of the quick accessibility and getting them from the old bathroom shelves straight to the new ones in a pinch. They’re so much easier when unpacking because the work is already done and your first shower or morning getting ready at least will be a breeze while the rest of your new home is a sea of scribbled and mislabeled boxes for the next couple weeks. Save some stress later!

The same rules apply with accessories and shoes. Is it flip flop or scarf weather? Pick one, not both. Do you need ALL of your belts and smaller accessories out for the next few months? No, downsize and pack a few away. Formal occasion items you have no planned events for can also be neatly packed or stored in protective garment bags at the end of your closet to look tidy and uncluttered for buyers and listing photos. 

5. Discard the rest. Trash what is trash on trash pick up day (and recycling if you have any), take donations right away to be dropped off or picked up, list your “sell” items before you go to bed that night, and anything going to loved ones, have them take ASAP or take to them. It’s pointless to declutter and downsize then keep all that in boxes and bags all over the place! Torn, dingy, and destroyed clothes and shoes should be dumped right away. They’re useless and can’t be taken to Goodwill or given to someone else. Breaking hangers aren’t impressing anyone either so those go as well. 

Your closet should be picture perfect when done. Here are some tips to help get your walk-in and other closet storage areas ready to be seen and listed:

Clothes and shoes falling apart might be ready to be tossed, turned into rags, or worn for now and discarded on moving day for your last trash day at the old house. If you have a crafty friend, sure, let her have them to make dog toys or a handkerchief out of your old tees. 

Hang everything nicely and orderly. Remember that buyers will see this and they do peek through closets, cupboards, and the walk-ins especially. Again, baskets and bins help. Garment bags conceal and provide a uniformed visual look for items you want to keep pressed and safe if they can’t be boxed and folded. They’ll be easy to move after closing also. 

Handbags, along with the scarfs and belts, and other accessories should also be better tucked away from view. What don’t you need, won’t use, haven’t used, no longer want, etc.? Take those out and do away with, then the rest refold and organize neatly coordinated. Your closet should be usable as always but paired down for the move and while on the market. I will link my Pinterest inspiration boards for more tips, tricks, and photos I found to help you see how your home should look while it is waiting to be sold. 

Happy packing and let’s get your home SOLD for top dollar!!

 

–Jenn : ) 

 

http://www.pinterest.com/strongbossandproud–Click on my Organization board!

http://www.instagram.com/agentofparadise for ideas and to follow me!

 

PS: My next blog will include a room by room guide with even more details and help to get closets, drawers, cupboards, bathrooms, and bedrooms organized for an easy move and of course, to show better to buyers and get you more money in your pocket.