When do I start packing?
Packing Starts Before the "For Sale" Sign Goes Up
When most people think about selling their home, they imagine the timeline looks like this: List the house, sell the house, then pack up to move.
But if you want to get the best price for your property, that timeline is backwards. Packing actually starts the moment you decide to sell.
Why? Because when a potential buyer walks through your front door, they aren't there to admire your collection of vintage records or see how much you’ve fit into the hall closet. They are there to buy space.
The goal of preparing your home for the market is to show off your square footage, not your stuff. Clutter shrinks a room. It makes spacious closets look cramped and large basements feel like storage units. To get top dollar, you need to help buyers see the potential of the home, not your personal possessions.
The Strategy: The "3-Box Method"
If the thought of pre-packing feels overwhelming, you need a system. Start today with the 3-Box Method. Take three large boxes or bins into a room and label them:
1. Keep (But Pack It Now) These are the items you love and definitely want in your next home, but you don't need right now. Think: winter coats in summer, family photo albums, seasonal decor, or extra books.
The Tip: Pack these boxes, tape them up, and stack them neatly in the garage or a storage unit. This instantly clears shelves and closets, making them look twice as big.
2. Donate These are items that are still in good condition but no longer serve a purpose in your life. That bread maker you used once in 2019? The clothes that haven't fit in two years?
The Tip: Let someone else enjoy them. Your trash is another person's treasure, and your donation is a tax write-off.
3. Trash Be ruthless. Broken toys, mismatched Tupperware, old paperwork, and anything that is worn out.
The Tip: Do not move garbage to your dream home. If it’s broken or useless, it leaves the house today.
The One-Year Rule
The hardest part of this process is the emotional attachment to "stuff." If you get stuck, use the One-Year Rule: If you haven't used it, worn it, or looked at it in a year, it doesn't need to move with you.
Moving is expensive and tiring. Why pay to move boxes of things you don't even use? Travel light to your new dream home and leave the clutter behind.
What is Your Home Worth?
Once you’ve cleared the clutter, you might be surprised at how much value you’ve uncovered. If you are curious about what your home could sell for in today's market, I can help.
Need a valuation before you list? Visit: www.BradfordCountyPA.homes
Are you ready to discuss your dreams? Contact me today and let's get started.
Written by Scott Kelsall Realtor®, Kelsall Realty LLC
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