How to Purge Your Home Before Selling It

One of the hardest things about selling your home is deciding what you should (or need to) get rid of. Not only can it be a time-consuming process, but it can also be emotional – especially if you’re a sentimental person.

That being said, properly purging your house is an essential part of selling. Maintaining a clean, clutter-free home plays a big role in attracting buyers and ultimately, getting the best return possible.

Not sure how to declutter your home or where to start? You’ve come to the right place. As real estate agents who often work closely with older homeowners transitioning to a new chapter, we’re uniquely familiar with the emotions and logistics that come with selling your house as a downsizer.

In this blog, we’re sharing our best tips on how to purge your home before selling it. Let’s get started.

Moving on to a new chapter? Read our Ultimate Guide to Downsizing Your Home.

Think Big Picture

Purging is an important part of selling your home, but it’s not the only part. Before you start thinking about decluttering, it’s a good idea to step back and look at the big picture.

At the end of the day, purging your home is about more than just making the space more comfortable. It’s a major aspect of preparing your house for the market and maximizing its appeal. So, as you approach decluttering, you should also consider the other key details in your upcoming home, such as choosing the right Realtor.

Hiring an agent before you start purging has its perks. Not only can they help you decide which items will and won’t add value to your home, but the right professional can (literally) take care of the heavy lifting when it comes to physically removing certain things.

Searching for more advice on downsizing your home? Read these blogs next!

• Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent as a Senior
• Downsizing After Retirement: Why it Works
• Can Downsizing Really Make My Life Easier?

Start Early (If You Can)

Another one of our best decluttering tips is to start early. No matter how soon (or not-so-soon) you’re hoping to have your house on the market, it’s best to give yourself as much time as possible.

You can’t purge the family home in a single day – at least not properly. Instead, you’ll want to take your time and make sure you’re making informed decisions about what you keep and what you get rid of.

Of course, not everyone has the benefit of an extended timeline. If you need to have your house on the market in just a few weeks or months, that’s okay. With the right planning and professional support, it’s possible to declutter in a hurry and still accomplish a great sale.

Follow a Plan

Organization is a key part of purging your home. Without the right plan, you could find yourself feeling lost or overwhelmed throughout the process. The more organized you are, the easier your decluttering journey will be.

For instance, rather than trying to tackle your entire home at once, start your purge room-by-room. If you plan to list your home soon, focus on the main areas first, such as the kitchen, master bedroom, and living room. Don’t forget – you’ll also need to declutter the exterior aspects of your home, including the front and back yard, garage, and garden shed. Buyers will be closely analyzing these areas too.

As you go through each room, place every item (yes, every item) into one of three categories: to keep, to throw away, or to donate. Consider adding labels to particularly large or heavy pieces of furniture and hiring professional junk removers to pick them up instead of hauling them to the curb yourself.

Searching for more catch-all selling advice? Read these other blog posts!

• How Much Can I Sell My House For?
• Do You Need to Stage Before You Sell?
• How to Negotiate House Price

Think Clinically

Believe it or not, one of the hardest things about purging your home isn’t the logistics; it’s the emotions. Even if you’re not the most sentimental person, saying goodbye to certain belongings can feel difficult – especially when they’ve been a staple of your home for many years.

That being said, it’s important to think clinically (as best as you can) while decluttering your home. Remember that a proper purge is paramount to selling your home for top dollar. So if you’re serious about getting a great result from your sale, you’ll want to act logically and objectively when deciding which things you want to keep.

Partner With Local Experts

Purging your home before selling it? We’re here to help! As real estate agents who specialize in supporting downsizers, we understand the unique challenges (and rewards) that come with entering the next phase of your life. We take a hands-on approach to make your downsizing journey as smooth, successful, and risk-free as possible.

Ready to downsize? Our team is proud to offer industry-leading support for our clients. Call 416-571-2724 to get in touch or email us at info@arciteam.com.