Weekend -Week 3 Getting Your Home Ready to Sell in 12 weeks (or how to eat an elephant)

Glad you are hanging in there and getting things done.

This weekend we will finish outdoor projects and begin to work on inside projects.

First:
If you still have a "curb appeal" project to do - finish it this weekend.
Go through the steps outlined earlier to pace yourself and remember to play/rest too.

Next:
Go through your entire home this weekend and make decisions about what furniture and accessories you can put in storage.

You will need:  Moving boxes or containers, post-it notes, drinks and snacks.

Thursday night - begin this process..
Tackle your first room.  Put post-it notes on each piece of furniture or large items that you can remove from this room.  Most people remove 1/3 to 1/2 of their items.  Remember you are trying to show the home, not your stuff.  Keep in mind that you want to keep the items in the space that are in the best condition. If a chair or sofa needs help, add cleaning it to your "to do" list or consider other ways you can handle that. (Throws, pillows, furniture makers, paint?)

Look at this first room and the post-its.  Do you have somewhere to put these items that will not make your home look smaller (basement storage?) or do you need to rent a storage unit or "pod" for a few months?
While you are thinking about this move to your second room.

Repeat your process with the second room, third room, etc.  How large of a storage space do you need to really make your home show at it's best?

Note:  I am a big advocate of "pods".  You can have a pod dropped off in your driveway and pack things away until you are ready to put your home on the market. Then call the pod company and they will store the entire thing until you need it at your new home. They will then deliver it to your new home.  Such a good idea!  You can even go to the storage facility and retrieve something or add something if you like.  Remember - pack things so that they won't get damaged regardless of what storage you choose.

By the time you have gotten to all your rooms and your outside entertaining spaces, you should be able to count the number of large pieces you have to estimate how much storage you need.

At this point make your decision.  Where will you store items?
A good thought is to begin by using your garage. (If you don't have a garage, and can't do a pod, consider family and friends that might have storage space you can use.)

If you know some fitness buffs, weight lifters, call them to come over for a work out on Saturday. Ask them to move all the items with post its into your chosen storage.  Do you need to borrow/rent a truck?  Make sure you choose people who will be careful with your things and will not injure themselves.  (It is always good to make sure you are insured in case someone does hurt themselves - check your homeowners policy)

Before the moving begins, go through any drawers and decide whether you need to remove contents.  You may want to actually pack things away in the drawers, keeping in mind not to make the items too heavy.  Please do not pack books in these pieces, they are make things too heavy.

When the moving begins on Saturday, plan to have some drinks and snacks on hand for your helpers.

Once all the items have been removed to your storage site.  Thank everyone and have some fun.

Your home may look strange....but just relax and hold on.

Until Sunday night.....

Taking those bites with you,
Mary