You’ve made the decision to move, Congratulations!  If only it were that easy.  Where do you start? How will you survive living in your house when it’s up for sale?

1. Pack in advance. If you’re downsizing, you can’t take it all with you.  If it’s September, you know you won’t need your summer clothes; if it’s January, you won’t need your Christmas decorations.  Pack what you know you’re bringing with you but won’t be using over the course of the next few months. Your home, depending on the market you’re in, could be for sale for a month or two with a closing day that’s 60, 90 or even 120 days out.
2. Declutter & organize what you do keep, donate or throw out what you don’t. Tidy the linen and bedroom closets.  Potential buyers will look in closets and cupboards. Clear the clutter and create space, it’ll make your home feel spacious and welcoming as opposed to cluttered and cramped.
3. Clean, clean, clean. We can’t emphasize this enough.  In advance of the first showing, it needs to sparkle.  Floors, counters, sinks, toilets, shower doors and windows all need to shine.  Inside cabinets and drawers, even unfinished basements and garages.  A little elbow grease can make you thousands.
4. Relocate valuables. Although agents accompany prospective buyers through your home, it’s always a good idea to be extra cautious.  Don’t leave important information lying around.  This goes for important documents as well as valuables like jewellery or electronic devices.
5. Send your pets on a holiday. It’s hard enough to get yourself and the kids out of the house for showings when you have advance notice.  What if you have a request during the day when Fido is home alone?   Strangers coming and going can cause stress for them as well.
6. Have a showing plan. By that I mean, have the house in show ready condition before you leave.  Create a checklist of things to be done in advance of a prospective buyer coming through.  Make the beds, fluff the pillows, turn on the lights, the music and set the mood.  Have your house show its best.  Before you leave in the morning be prepared for unexpected showing requests.
7. Involve the whole family. Make sure the kids are on board too.  Having them choose what stays in their rooms and what gets packed away or donated will make them feel like they’re part of the process.
8. Get out and stay out when there are showings. Nothing is more frustrating to a potential buyer then when you are home.  When you’re not there, they can speak freely and openly.

Remember, short term pain for long term gain.  Doing all the work in advance will make the entire process easier.  If everything has a home and everyone is on board with what needs to happen before a showing, it will be a lot easier.  And because you’ve done all the organizing in advance, the sale time of your Orangeville home will be quicker and packing will be a breeze. WIN, WIN!!