Decluttering tasks you must do if you want to sell your home

Decluttering your home is something you should do every so often. That is the best way to ensure you live in a healthy and comfortable environment. However, when you decide to put your home on the market and organize several open-house events, your home must look amazing. After all, that is the way to sell it quickly and for the best possible price. But, where does one start when it comes to selling a house or an apartment? Well, the first step is always decluttering. Once you declutter, cleaning and staging your home for sale will be much easier. Thus, today, we will teach you about all the decluttering tasks you must do if you want to sell your home. 

The Hallway

When it comes to selling homes, the first impression is all that counts (well, almost all). So, if you want to leave the best possible first impression, make sure your hallway is clean and organized. The hallway is the first place all the potential buyers will see, and if it's cluttered, messy, and dirty, they will not like it. Thus, start decluttering it as soon as possible.

First, sort through everything - coats, jackets, accessories, shoes, paperwork, kid's and pet's stuff, etc. Leave only the items you wear every day and get rid of everything else. Of course, 'getting rid of' does not mean 'throwing away' - it means 'putting someplace else' or even 'donating' or 'selling.' Moreover, if possible, try to maximize the storage space in the hallway. Install good quality coat and shoe storage, under-the-stairs storage, hangers, etc. This will be a big plus when selling a home - all buyers appreciate a well-organized storage space!

The Living Room

The living room must always look welcoming and as comfortable as possible. Potential buyers must be able to envision themselves living there. So, the first and the most obvious way to declutter your living room is to get rid of excess furniture. If you have already found your new Connecticut home and are ready to move out yourself, let local professionals deal with this. Having fewer furniture pieces will instantly make your living room more organized, and of course, more spacious.

Then, try to depersonalize the living room! Many people think that this is an unnecessary step, but trust us, real estate agents swear by this. By depersonalizing the home's main rooms, such as the living room, you tell buyers that this home is ready for them; you encourage them to envision themselves living there. So, to do this, consider repainting the wall in a  neutral color, have the carpets professionally cleaned, remove all your personal items such as family photos, memorabilia, travel souvenirs, etc. 

The Kitchen and Dining Room 

The kitchen and dining room must also look their best when selling a home. After all, these two areas (and the bathroom) are the ones that will either make or break your sale. No buyer wants to invest a ton of time, energy, and money in upgrading these rooms. However, if you invest just a bit of your time, energy, and cash on decluttering the kitchen and dining room, you will not only be able to sell your home quickly and easily but also increase its value by up to 10%. 

When it comes to decluttering the dining room, we advise you to remove everything but the table and chairs. Make this room as spacious and as breathable as possible. Then, move onto the kitchen. It would be a good idea to have a couple of moving boxes by your side when decluttering this room. Put all the crockery, pots, pans, mugs, appliances, etc., that you plan on relocating anyway into these boxes. Be sure the work surfaces are entirely clutter-free and clean (including the horizontal and vertical ones, too - remove the magnets, the drawings, the paperwork, etc.). And, if possible, try to tidy up the drawers and cabinets as much as you can - yes, the buyers will peak. 

The Bedrooms - Master and Kid's Rooms

As previously mentioned, if you have already found your new Connecticut home, you should go ahead and move out as many pieces of furniture and other personal household knick-knacks as you can. Your tiktokmoving.com movers can help you do this! But, if you still cannot move out, at least try to make these two rooms as presentable as possible. Of course, you cannot take out your personal items from there, but you can make them all organized and well-presented.

Keep all the clothing items nicely stacked and hung in the closet and wardrobe. And keep the accessories and other things inside some of those organizational boxes and bins. Of course, you already know that you should keep your beds made and other surfaces like nightstands, makeup tables, shelves, etc., clean. When it comes to your children's room, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do. Your kids will always play with the toys and books, and their rooms will always be chaotic. But, that is okay! A messy room equals happy kids.

The Bathroom – a Home to many Decluttering Tasks You Must Do if You Want to Sell Your Home

Ideally, you should present your bathroom as adequately taken care of over the years and as a place of relaxation. So, yes, this toom too must be decluttered. First, remove any unnecessary items you have in there - empty (or expired) toiletries, old rags, towels, and bathrobes you do not use anymore, old bathing sponges and loofahs, etc. Try to organize the shelves and drawers as much as you can too. All the potential buyers will open them to check how much space they offer. 

And, once you have finished decluttering the bathroom, we strongly advise you to stage it properly. If you do not know how to do that, do some browsing and find out DIY organization hacks for your bathroom. A couple of nicely folded towels, a scented candle, and a few new bathroom decorations can completely change the look of your bathroom and thus increase its value! 

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are many decluttering tasks you must do if you want to sell your home. What you need to remember is that decluttering will not only help you sell faster but it will also ensure you move out more easily. In addition, having fewer items to transfer to your new home will make your relocation costs lower. So there are many benefits of decluttering and you should never neglect doing it.

5 Potential Reasons Your Home May Smell Funny

Have you ever walked into your house from a fun afternoon with friends only to find a weird smell, but you’re not sure where it came from? That may occur more often than you think!

The smell may result from something as simple as a backed-up garbage disposal or as dangerous as a damaged furnace. Here are five potential reasons your home may smell funny.

Garbage Disposal

The garbage disposal in your sink may have flushed down many food bits in the past, but now it’s time to check it and make sure they’re not still sitting in your pipes!

If your nose leads you straight to the kitchen, it may be one of a few things—including your kitchen sink. Try to flush hot water down your disposal with some soap or use a Plink Fizzy Drain Freshener & Cleaner to ensure you thoroughly clean your drain. Be sure to follow the directions on the package, so you sanitize your sink correctly.

Pets

Your pets may also cause your home to have a funny smell. If your pet is feeling sick, they may hide and isolate themself—which may result in a bathroom accident or regurgitation occurrence behind your furniture.

Additionally, if you’re a cat owner, it’s essential to clean out their litter box every day. This will not only ensure your home smells good, but your kitty will have a clean and sanitary bathroom to use, preventing illness and anxiety.

Furnace

HVAC systems may sometimes produce odd smells, so they’re typically located in the basement or laundry room (away from everything else). But some odors may indicate a severe issue that requires urgent attention.

If you notice that your furnace emits odorous fumes, it may be clogged or require a filter change. However, try not to adjust anything on your furnace yourself—consult with an HVAC professional first to determine your next steps.

Mold or Mildew

Mold or mildew can show up anywhere in the home, so it’s imperative to locate where the smell is coming from. If you discover mold in your home, be sure to disinfect the area or have a professional remove and replace the affected areas.

Mold can affect someone suffering from allergies or asthma, so be sure to check with your doctor to maintain good health.

Rotten Food

Still can’t find that funny smell? Head back to your kitchen! Have you cleaned out your fridge lately? Sometimes we buy foods or bring food home from a restaurant and forget about it until its odor unmistakably reminds us to throw it out.

Try to clean out your fridge once a month to rid your kitchen of spoiled or expired foods and keep your home smelling fresh.

Now that you know the five potential reasons your home may smell funny, don’t just mask the smell in your home with an air freshener! Try using bamboo charcoal bags that are better for the environment. Not only will your home smell clean, but you’ll be incorporating eco-friendly measures!

Decoration on a Budget: How to Style a Girl’s Room without Braking the Bank

Decorating your little girl’s room is a fun way to spend quality time with your kid and provide her with a useful and beautiful space. Creating a space that’s fit for her age and her interests will inspire her to spend time in her space and practice her independence.  However, decorating a kid’s room can be very expensive—furniture, bedding, lighting and decoration can cost a lot of money if you’re not careful of your budget. If you need a few tips on how to create a room worthy of your little princess, here are a few tips that won’t break your bank.

Make it colorful

Kids usually love bright colors, that’s why their spaces are so much fun to decorate. But don’t automatically reach for pink for girls. The world is full of interesting and unique color schemes and your girl will definitely find something she likes. If you want to save money long-term, it’s best to choose a more neutral color combination and brighten it up with color accents, wallpaper and art. Adding splashes of color with bedding, curtains and rugs is also a great idea. This way, you don’t have to repaint her space every time your child changes her mind about her favorite color.

Be smart with the furniture

Kids can be very persuasive, but don’t get bullied into buying a princess bed or tree-house desk. These novelty furniture items might be cute, but your kid will grow out of them in no time. Instead, focus on functionality and timeless design with larger items—something she will be able to use even during her teenage years. If your baby girl insists on a spaceship bed, add canopies to a regular bed to simulate a rocket and finish the scene with NASA bed sheets.

Be mindful of her interests

Every girl is a unique flower, so if she’s old enough to express her interests, consult with her about the decorating process. You can even opt for a theme! All in all, if you include her interests in her room (gardening, unicorns, soccer, guitar, etc.) it will make her rooms feel unique and fit for her life. She will rush to invite friends over and keep the space clean…hopefully.

Add some prints on the walls

Prints are a great way to add personality and color to a space, so why not surprise your girl with a few interesting pieces of art? If your kid loves fashion and all things girly, you can find original famous fashion illustrator prints to grace her room. These prints will add color and interest to her space, but also encourage her to follow her dreams. Plus, if you choose signed pieces, you might even be giving your kid a piece of smart investment that will go for thousands in the future!

Light it up

Little kids love night lights, but pre-teens and teens might be embarrassed to use them. Regardless, it’s important to illuminate your girl’s room with proper general lighting, task lighting for studying, as well as soft lights to add safety and ambiance to the space. Today, fairy lights, LED strips and nightlights come in all shapes and colors imaginable, so you will definitely find something that fits your kid’s space and preference.

Add a relaxation corner

If the room in question is spacious, it’s a great idea to add a fun relaxation corner for naps, reading sessions, studying, texting with friends or daydreaming. No matter the age, kids love forts, and you can easily install a teepee into her space. With a few modifications, this relaxation corner can grow together with your child and change purposes.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready for a fun remodel of your little girl’s room. In no time, she will have a fun and cozy space and you will still have some money left in your bank account.

Best Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Home’s Woodwork

Your home is your safe space and haven. While it’s subject to the occasional mess, you should aim to maintain its tidiness. A neat living space keeps your mind at ease and your morale high. Dusting and mopping are always necessary for removing dirt and grime, but there are times where more thorough cleaning and detailed work could be of use. Check out these best tips for deep cleaning your home’s woodwork to add an extra touch of cleanliness to your routine.

Dusting

Start the deep cleaning process by dusting woodwork details like baseboards, doors, and cabinets. Using a dry microfiber cloth, wipe the surfaces to remove some accumulated dust and dirt.

Feather dusters work exceptionally well for dusting baseboards. Consider quality dusters that extend to avoid bending over and straining during the task.

Cleaning

If you find yourself looking at wood details with heavy grime and dust accumulation, you might need a bit of elbow grease to remove buildup efficiently. Since you want to preserve the wood’s quality and integrity, you should focus on removing as much dirt as possible without using water.

Afterward, spray distilled white vinegar to the cloth and wipe it on the door to remove additional layers of grime. Remember to mix the vinegar with a single drop of dish soap to enhance the cleaning effect. Large amounts of detergent can be harsh on wood and affect its quality.

Be sure to spray the mixture directly onto the cloth instead of the wood surface to avoid streaks and stains.

Polishing

Using oil to polish woodwork protects the finish and enhances minor details. You can restore interior wood doors and other wood structures this way. Once you finish dusting and cleaning the area, allow the surface to dry before polishing. Oils like coconut and carnauba are fantastic options that clean, feed, and polish the wood without adding too much moisture.

Beeswax also works well to protect the wood and leaves it looking in great shape. This polish is excellent for kitchen cabinets.

Deep cleaning your home’s woodwork is essential for prolonging its appearance. With routine touchups and maintenance, the finer details can last for generations.