Living in Your Home When it's on the Market

Years ago, when my family was still growing, we needed to sell our small home and find something more accommodating. One day, while we were away, we received a call that a realtor wanted to show the house. Of course, we had left that morning in a hurried frenzy and had neglected to tidy up. Almost immediately I had a vision of the mountain of laundry that was serving as the boundary between the master bedroom and the bathroom. It hadn’t even crossed my mind to hide it before we left, but it was all I could think about when I pictured strangers walking through the house. Were these the kind of people with the strength and mental fortitude to conquer that mountain? Might they be the kind of buyers that would be satisfied with a long-distance glance at the tub from an adjoining room? Or would they be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the obstacle and just decide to leave? On the other hand, it could be possible that destiny had already determined the fate of my house and this buyer was powerless to refuse it.  A mess, no matter how high and riddled with dirty socks, couldn’t keep this home and owner from uniting.  Although I doubt it.  I don’t recall if we ever heard how those particular people felt about the house.  I can only assume everyone made it out alive. What I do know is, for me, it was extremely stressful!

It’s true, selling a home can be a daunting task, but living in your home while it’s for sale can be utterly overwhelming. The kids still play, the laundry piles up, and the clutter seems to materialize out of nowhere. A last-minute call from the realtor about a showing can throw you into a full-blown panic! A house that is spotless all the time is not going to be a realistic goal for most of us, but there are things you can do to help you get closer to that goal while your house is on the market.

Pack and Purge

Reducing the amount of “stuff” you have will also reduce the amount of stuff you need to keep clean.  Everything will need to be packed eventually, so go ahead and pack up anything that isn’t essential and consider getting a storage unit. This is also a great opportunity to purge and let go of items you no longer need. You might try to make a little extra cash by taking things to consignment stores or selling on local buy, sell, trade sites.

Get in a Cleaning Routine

No matter how much downsizing you do, you’re still going to need to keep up with the chores of daily living.  You can equip yourself for success by having a plan and a daily checklist. Try to set realistic goals and enlist the help of the entire family. It can take some trial and error so identify the things that are working and be willing to do away with any part of the plan that isn’t productive. Staying on top of housework will make the process of showing your home less stressful.

Enlist the Help of Professionals

Seeing your house through a potential buyer’s eyes can be challenging. It involves setting aside your emotional attachment to your home. Each room should be set up in a way that best presents the space. It can be helpful to involve your realtor as they can give you suggestion on how to depersonalize your home. You might also consult with a home stager who can advise you on how to transform your home into a place that potential buyers can easily picture as their own. A stager can work with what you have, rearranging and reallocating your things and creating a space that is marketable to a large audience.

Being intentional about the preparation of your home will help it sell faster and for top dollar. It takes time and energy, but it’s well worth it. And the reality is no matter how clean you keep your beautifully staged home, chances are you will still have those times when you find yourself rushing around to get the house ready for a showing - and that’s ok! Prepared doesn’t have to equal perfection. Your efforts combined with the skill of the professionals you’re working with will give you the best possibility of a successful home selling experience.