Some people make my job so much easier, just by being themselves! One instance of this was when I listed a custom-built home in Niles. I was delighted to see that the house had been kept in excellent repair through preventative maintenance. I was positively ecstatic to find it was immaculately clean and uncluttered. Being extremely organized and thoughtful people, they had already packed away their nonessential items and deep cleaned the entire house before they ever called me.

I cannot overstate how helpful all this preparation was in the sale of the home! In most instances, there are plenty of opportunities for sellers to stress out during the sale: preparing for showings, waiting for inspection results, dealing with repairs, waiting for the appraisal, plus all the packing and moving preparations. By keeping the house perpetually clean and having the majority of their belongings already packed, these sellers eliminated two huge sources of stress and made the moving process a whole lot easier for themselves. What an inspiring example!

While it might not be possible for everyone to stay that far ahead of the curve, any way you can find to be proactive will prove to be of huge value. Seldom are sellers requested to leave any of their personal belongings. The sooner you can sort, sell, give away, and pack up your stuff, the better.

If you have the ability to make repairs, finish up projects, and repaint any tired looking rooms, you are only helping yourself. Put new bulbs in all the light fixtures. Throw out broken blinds. Make sure closet doors are in place. Often, it's the little things which make the biggest impact.

The yard is part of your property, so you don't want to ignore it, either. Trim back any branches overhanging the driveway that could scratch up cars. Weed the flower beds, clean out the gutters, and make sure all the downspouts are properly attached and carrying water away from the foundation. Sweep the cobwebs off your porch and make the entryway as welcoming as possible.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, my advice is to tackle one room at a time. Pack away all the items you won't need for a while, get rid of what you don't really want to keep, and give the room a thorough cleaning from top to bottom (including closets, corners, and window frames). Once that room is finished, you can leave it alone and move on to the next one.

Whatever you can do ahead of time to make your move easier, the better. Reach out if you'd like a home prep checklist, help prioritizing your projects, or moving tips. I'm here to help you reach your goals!