Let's Clean Up the Mess

Getting your house ready for a quick sale next spring is going to need some elbow grease, and you’d better start now. Last week I gave you some tips on what to toss. This week, let’s focus on a couple of areas in the house that tend to stuff in layers.

Let’s start with your linen closet. Whenever I walk through a home for sale, this is the first place I look. Do things fall out when you open the door to yours? Are those cute (stained) crib sheets lurking in the back even though your kids are in middle school? If you answered yes to either question, get a couple of garbage bags, one for the thrift shop and one for the dump. Take everything out of the closet and sort ruthlessly. Keep only what you’re going to use in your new house and dump the rest. Fold the good stuff neatly and make sure to leave some open shelf space. Your linen closet will look more spacious – and more appealing to potential buyers.

While you’re tackling the bedding, send your hubby to the garage. This is often an eyesore because it ends up as a triage area for broken appliances and things we think we might need, but never do. It’s amazing how many people can’t even get the car into the garage. Be ruthless. Throw away the junk. If you’re going to take the stuff with you, pack it away in boxes. Hang the bikes from ceiling hooks. Most important of all – make room for a car!

What are the problem areas in your house? Leave me a comment. I’m here to help.

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