Stay Sane Living in Your Home While It’s on the Market

I know that living in your home while it’s on the market can be stressful and tense at times. No one lives day-to-day in a perfect showroom house, but you may feel the pressure to do so during this time.I know that living in your home while it’s on the market can be stressful and tense at times. No one lives day-to-day in a perfect showroom house, but you may feel the pressure to do so during this time.Here are some strategies that will help you and your family survive:List when you are REALLY ready to show your house to potential buyers. Before you put that For Sale sign up, you need to make sure your home is at its best inside and out. Remove the clutter, clean thoroughly, and fix what needs fixing. The more work you do upfront in preparing your home, the better off (and happier) you’ll be in the long run.You’ll experience less stress while showing it, and you’ll increase your chances of attracting a buyer at the price you want much sooner. If you do it right from the get-go, you don’t need to live this way for long!Get a storage unit so there’s less “stuff” to deal with and more space for the things you use regularly. Your closets or basement should be cleared of things you don’t need while showing your home. For example, you don’t need a winter coat in the Spring or all of your sheets in the linen closet. By freeing up more storage space, you can quickly put daily items away in these new spots before buyers come over. You can even get decorative bins and baskets for these items to disguise your storage.Today’s buyers like to envision themselves in a home and the less “stuff” that’s yours can help them do it. You’ll be less frazzled if you have a place to put everything, whether it’s in a storage unit or some space you’ve created.Have a game plan for cleaning your home and keeping it show-worthy. Before you leave for work, take about 10 minutes to open up all the blinds and put things away. You may have to rely on the quick cleaning method of using a Swiffer mop and duster on a daily basis so your home shines. And, make it a habit for the family to clean up after using the kitchen, make their beds each morning, and store personal items away. If you need to hire a cleaning service on a regular basis, now’s the time to do it. The cleaner and better looking your house looks, the shorter timeframe you will need to do all this!Create a handy check-list for preparing your home to show. Go through this list before you leave in the morning or any time you know buyers will be coming over. Having a list makes it much easier for everyone in your home to not to forget something. Your list can include such things as putting the mail away, clearing the bathroom vanities, emptying the trash, storing toys, or removing your pet’s water bowl.Prep your children so they understand what’s going on. Keeping the house show-worthy and having to leave it suddenly for potential buyers can be confusing and stressful for children. Have a family meeting and discuss ways to make your lives easier and less harried while your home is on the market. Older kids can help out with specific chores (make their beds), and younger ones will have a better understanding of why some of their toys are in storage. Make them part of your game plan since this can create more harmony for your family during this time.Keep your pets happy and safe. Plan ahead and see if friends or family members can take your dog or cat during an Open House or when your home is being shown. Look into doggie daycare if necessary. If it’s just a short showing, you can always go for a walk with your pet or take it on an outing.Rely on friends and neighbors for impromptu visits when it’s show time. Sometimes it’s convenient to have a neighbor or friend who doesn’t mind if you and your family come over when your home is being viewed. Ask them ahead of time if this is possible and not an inconvenience to them. This is especially helpful if you have small children and don’t want to drag them around while waiting for buyers to be done. Have a handy bag of toys, books and snacks at your door to take with you.Remember to safeguard your privacy and valuable belongings. No one wants to worry about personal items or documents when buyers are checking out your home. Store valuable items away or lock them up. For example, don’t have bills, credit cards, or prescription bottles out for curious eyes. Turn off computers and store portable gadgets in a safe place. Buyers sometimes look in every nook and cranny of your home by opening closets, cabinets, or drawers. You can also ask your agent to escort potential buyers when showing your home.If you work from home, learn to be flexible if possible. Let your agent know your situation and see if they can give you more convenient times to show your home or more notice to finish up a task. If they know your schedule or busy times upfront, they will plan accordingly. Have a system in place to store documents or files away quickly and conveniently.Look at the positive side of showing your home. Try not to think of this entire selling experience as a hassle for you and your family. Take a more positive approach early on and be excited that someone wants to see your home. It could mean a potential sale, and that’s what you want, right?