Are you planning on selling your home in the upcoming months or within the next year? Most folks don’t realize how much they’ve accumulated throughout the years until it comes time to sell. It can definitely be overwhelming! Here are 5 tips to help you downsize those possessions:

1. Know what you can get rid of now and do it! If you’re planning on buying new pieces of furniture when you move, why not go ahead and get rid of what you don’t want? There’s no sense in hanging on to something that you’re going to end up replacing anyway. Getting rid of those bigger items (i.e. couches, dressers, beds, dining room tables, etc.) can ease your stress and make life easier for you when it comes to moving day. The less furniture you have, the less you have to move!

2. Decide what you’re willing to leave for the buyer. Typically, the only items that are excluded from the sale of a home are items screwed into the property (i.e. tv mounts, ovens, blinds, etc.) unless otherwise noted in the MLS. You could always choose items to convey with the sale (assuming the buyer accepts). Some sellers are willing to leave their refrigerator, washer/dryer, couch, etc. if it’s something the buyer might benefit from.

3. SELL IT! SELL IT! SELL IT! There’s a reason garage sales, yard sales, and estate sales are so popular. Facebook Marketplace is worth utilizing, too! These are all easy (and profitable) ways of getting rid of your belongings and decluttering! If you just have a few items you’d like to get rid of, then Facebook Marketplace might be the best route to take. Otherwise, you can get rid of items in BULK by hosting a sale one weekend. A lot of sellers, depending on their situation, may have an estate sale…just make sure you get on their schedule because they book up fast in our area! As a real estate agent, I recommend having an estate sale PRIOR to listing the property in the MLS. This allows for a better showing experience for buyers because they’re not having to look at all of your belongings and they can picture their own furniture and decorations in the house.

4. DONATE! Maybe there are items you have that aren’t worth selling. We have SEVERAL local businesses and nonprofit organizations who are always accepting donated items. You can get rid of a lot of items at once! Here are a few of my favorite donation spots in Longview, TX:

   • Mercy Manor's Born Again Thrift Store

   • Goodwill

   • Hope’s Closet

5. Pay someone else to haul it off! Did you know there are local organizations, individuals, and businesses that you can pay to come pick up your stuff and haul it away? If you’re not able to do a lot of moving yourself (or if you have extra money to spend and would rather not have to move anything), this is a great way to get it off your hands without having to lift a finger.

As a realtor, I recommend you declutter AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! Follow these 5 tips and get rid of as much as you can. If your home will be occupied when it comes to listing the property, the less you have in your home…the BETTER! Decluttering is one of the first thing I tell my sellers. It’s creates a much cleaner, welcoming environment and it allows for buyers to really envision themselves living in your house. When there is a lot of clutter (whether it’s small items or an overwhelming amount of furniture in a room), the buyer doesn’t have the best experience possible when viewing a home. So, remove as many items as you can to ensure buyers have the best showing experience possible!

Besides, the more you get rid of now…the less you have to move later!

Kristin Koonce Burroughs, REALTOR®
(903)241-2608
kristinkoonce@gmail.com
BOLD Real Estate Group