What To Store Before Selling Your Home

Selling your home is stressful enough, even in a hot market. But having a home up for longer than you expect can throw your moving plans into chaos. You know the home you are selling will be great for whomever decides to move in, but why can’t potential buyers see what you see?

A key factor for someone choosing a home is that feeling during the tour if they could see in their minds eye themselves living there. Even though it hasn’t sold yet, you should display your home in a way that makes it very attractive to prospective buyers. This means you should take the time to declutter and remove all trinkets, extra furniture and make more space for people to walk around. This can be hard to do, especially if you are the sentimental type. When you look at an old item or appliance, you see the history, the family hands that carried it before you.

But, sorry to break it to you, a buyer on a tour could see an eyesore, a piece of trash, or a style that contradicts with their own, influencing their opinion on the space. Unconsciously this can have a direct effect on ones decision whether or not to buy. It has to feel right to them. Clearly showcasing the possibilities with their own furniture and family heirlooms. Remember, interior design is an art, and buyers need as blank a canvas as possible to work with to mentally plan their layout. Here is a list of items you should consider moving into storage before listing your home on the competitive real estate market:

1. Everything on your counters

This goes for kitchens and bathrooms alike. Crowded counter space can trick the eye into thinking there is less space than there actually is, and vice-versa. That means no microwaves, bread-makers or toaster ovens in the kitchen. Your dishes should all be put away, even out of your dishwasher. No food on the counters and as little as possible in your fridge and cabinets. Anything put away should be put away nicely and organized (anything you do not want should be donated to your local food bank). No mouthwash, hair dryers or toothbrushes in the bathroom. All products should be removed from the shower and cabinets, especially personal medicine and other medical products.

2. All unnecessary or old furniture

Yes even your great-grandfather’s antique rocking chair. Unless it is a dining room set or a couch along a wall that would fit other people’s tastes – into storage it goes. Your furniture should show off what makes your home attractive and the possibilities it has for layout. The more furniture around the home the harder it is for a buyer’s brain to organize your stuff out of the way for their own. Additionally, ensure your furniture has a cohesive look to it. Don’t mix live edge wood furniture with modern minimalist. Anything that sticks out should be stored.

3. Artwork – Paintings and Photos

Your rare, expensive surrealist canvas might be your favourite thing in your home, but art is a subjective medium. Like furniture, anything you might be attached to could be a turn-off for a prospective buy

er. Keep in mind you are trying to sell your home, not host a community art gallery. All art should come down and be replaced by stock art, or simply have the holes from mounting repainted to give the buyer a blank slate to work with. Also, remove all family photos. This can be the hardest part, but a buyer is there on business and doesn’t want to see or really think to hard about who lived in it previously. We hope your loved ones and friends can forgive you.

4. Clothes from your closets

We all like to have options when dressing for the day, but try and cut that down for all closets. It is hard to see the full functionality of a space when it is jam packed and unable to be sorted through. Aim to have these areas – at maximum – 50% full. You are going to have to pack them away eventually so get as much of your clothes out of the home as possible.

5. Knick-knacks and trinkets

Everyone loves the unique souvenir from a vacation or hand made keepsake from a friend, but keeping your display areas cluttered removes from the appeal of your home. It would be great if you could stand and give the backstory for each one, but that of course is not possible. Pack these away and replace them with plants or nothing at all. This goes for fridge magnets as well. You might love your child’s experiment with clay, but you don’t want that sticking in a buyers mind after they leave instead of the breathtaking hardwood.

Where In Ottawa Can You Store Your Items?

Now you have boxes upon boxes of stuff that needs to be tucked away, until your move in date. But you can’t dump it all in your garage or basement. Buyers are going to look there too! You need a stress free storage solution that has just the right space you need.

Acceptable Storage in Ottawa has the space to store all your packed belongings and furniture for your move. From selling, the in-between, to move in, we can keep your items safe and sound. With options for all amounts of stuff you might have, we have a storage space for you (we can also help you get that RV or boat out of the driveway too!). We can supply you with boxes, mattress bags and more! We even have a “Mover’s Packaging Kit” that has everything you might need in a move. Contact us for more information on how we can help your move today!