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Alt-tag: A person opening the door of a for-sale home

Interestingly enough, the experience of living in a for-sale home is rarely addressed. Hence, you might be equipped with all the formal home-selling knowledge, such as choosing a good real estate agent and the like. However, getting through the entire process while still residing at the property might be a more significant challenge overall. As you might struggle to keep up your daily routine, you might even be tempted to accept the first offer that comes your way. 

Unfortunately, putting your home up for sale necessitates some sacrifices on your part. You might have to evacuate your home in the face of last-minute showings. It also means your home will always have to be presentable to appeal to potential home buyers. All of this can frustrate you and your family members, perhaps even provoke an emotional reaction to the idea of selling your home. However, there are a few ways you can make living in your home while it is up for sale manageable. 

1.  Pack up most of your belongings before you put your home up for sale

Living in a for-sale home when your suitcases and moving boxes are ‘locked and loaded’ will be a breeze. Even if you are unsure how long you might have to live at your home until you sell it. Also, consider the benefit of clearing up all the clutter and unessential things you own. It is striking that you only need a fraction of your belongings to maintain your regular daily routine. First, get rid of the piled-up hand-me-downs and things you haven’t used in more than a year or two. Then you can decide what to do with the smaller kitchen appliances and other electronics. 

From this perspective, a large-scale decluttering action may present itself as a daunting, unnecessary workload. However, you will be grateful that you did it in time. Once the sale is closed, your moving preparations will be much less demanding. If you are unsure how to pack up everything so that it stays compact, you can always consult packing experts such as miamimoversforless.com. Luckily, there are numerous ways you can pack the stuff that you have so that your home does not give off that ‘storage unit’ vibe. 

Caption: Packing most of your belongings now will save time later.

Alt-tag: A smiling woman holding boxes with her belongings

2.           Donate or sell what you do not need

One way to keep your mind off the fact you feel like a stranger in your home is to observe decluttering as an opportunity to make money. Or do good. While you are waiting for that perfect offer, you can spend your free time advertising the items you do not need so that you can make a few bucks on the side.

The additional money will come in handy when you finally find a buyer for your home. You can use this money to finance the relocation to Broward County with the experts from this area who will ensure a smooth and safe transfer of your belongings. 

On the other hand, if there is a cause you care about, you can donate the earned money. Otherwise, if you do not have enough time to organize yard sales, take the electronic devices or clothes that are still wearable and give them away to friends, relatives, or people in your community that might need them. 

3.           Keep your home clean

As much as cleaning after showings might seem like a drag, this kind of effort will improve your quality of life. Also, no matter how spacious or stylish your home might be, it may look shaggy and run-down if unclean. Remember - a first bad impression might put off potential home buyers and prolong the selling process.

Just as decluttering can keep your mind focused on something else, cleaning can also help you feel engaged. In fact, it can be a way to make your entire family feel as if they are in control of the situation. It is easier to keep everything tidy at all times than to go through large-scale cleaning sprees every time your real estate agent announces a visit. Speaking of visits…

4.           Insist on 2-3 hours notice before homebuyers’ visits

Surely, you will have to make some compromises regarding your day-to-day schedule. This is simply unavoidable, but it doesn’t mean you have to endure having your privacy invaded. Make a deal with your realtor and establish a specific time frame when you are fine with organizing showings. If someone requests a private or a last-minute showing, make it clear that you need at least 2-3 hours to prepare. In this way, you will have enough time to fix up the place without a nervous breakdown. 

Caption: As much as you want to sell your home, keeping your peace of mind is also important.

Alt-tag: A family viewing a home at an open house

5.           Have a preparation routine for showings

The devil is in the details, as they say. So, make sure to have a definite preparation routine before homebuyers storm the front door. Think of 5 one-minute fixes that can instantly improve the look of your home. 

You can place fluffed pillow sets in the corners of the sofa or raise the blinds so that everything looks fresh and breezy. If placing a bouquet of flowers isn’t viable, you can add an air freshener to appeal to all senses. It is also good to turn up the lights and invest in good, energy-saving light bulbs and a few lamps. Good lighting will do wonders for the ambiance of the room. 

6.           Find a reliable pet sitter

It is better to leave your pets with a relative or a pet sitter, both for the sake of the pet and the buyers. Your furry friend might get anxious or aggressive in the face of strangers. Moreover, potential homebuyers might be afraid or allergic to animals. You might feel stress or discomfort as a result. In total, it makes sense to eliminate all of the above from the equation. 

Caption: Your pet might fret once homebuyers start coming in.

Alt-tag: A golden retriever looking through a glass door of a for-sale home

7. Have a “go-bag” to store essentials

The most frustrating thing about living in a for-sale home is having to leave it on the fly. That is why your essentials bag is indispensable, as you may often need to rush out. You can store your keys, laptop, tablet, or any other item you might need to pass the time. It is also a good idea to empty your drawers of money and valuables you store in your home. In this way, you will never have to worry about any minor thefts ruining your already fickle state of mind. 

Meta description: Preparing to sell your home while still living in it? Living in a for-sale home does not have to be as stressful with these tips!

Photos used:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/closed-white-wooden-cabinet-245207/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-with-shopping-bag-and-packed-goods-6347543/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-family-in-an-open-house-viewing-7414932/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/bedroom-door-entrance-guest-room-271639/