When you have lived in a property for several years, it is easy to accumulate belongings. Furniture gets added, cupboards gradually fill up and boxes find their way into the loft, garage or spare room. None of this necessarily feels like a problem when you are living there, but it can become more noticeable when you decide to sell.
Getting a home ready for sale is an opportunity to reduce the amount of clutter and make better use of the available space. However, you may not want to get rid of possessions that you still need or plan to take with you.
Using self storage can give you a practical way to create space while keeping those belongings until you are ready to decide what happens to them.
Selling a home changes the way you look at space
When you are living in your own home, you know how everything works. You know that the sofa can be moved when necessary, that the boxes in the spare bedroom are only there temporarily and that the garage is full because you have not got around to sorting it.
Potential buyers do not have that context.
They are seeing the property for the first time and deciding whether they can imagine living there. If too many belongings fill the available space, it can be harder for them to see the possibilities.
Decluttering can help shift the focus back towards the property itself.
Start by looking for excess
You do not need to create a minimalist home to sell your property. The objective is simply to reduce the amount of unnecessary visual clutter.
Look around each room and consider which belongings you could manage without for the time being.
This might include:
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* Large pieces of furniture
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* Excess ornaments and decorative items
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* Books and DVDs
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* Seasonal possessions
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* Children's toys
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* Sports equipment
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* Hobby materials
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* Boxes of belongings kept in spare rooms
If you still want these things, self storage can give you somewhere to keep them rather than forcing you to dispose of them.
A clearer home can be easier to show
Imagine walking into a bedroom and seeing a bed, wardrobe and a few other pieces of furniture. It is relatively easy to understand how the room works.
Now imagine the same room with boxes stacked in the corner, a desk covered with belongings and several pieces of furniture that are rarely used.
The second version may make the room feel considerably smaller.
The same applies throughout the house. Removing some furniture and possessions can reveal floor space, improve movement around rooms and make the layout easier to understand.
Give your home a fresh start
Decluttering before selling can also be a useful opportunity to begin separating your current home from your next one.
Some possessions may have accumulated simply because there was somewhere to put them. Once you start sorting, you may discover items you no longer want, things that belong elsewhere or possessions you have not used for years.
You can deal with these gradually.
Items you are ready to part with can be sold, donated or disposed of, while things you want to keep can be moved into self storage until you are ready to move.
Make the most of your existing storage
Storage areas can be particularly revealing when a property is being sold.
A cupboard that is difficult to open because it is overfilled does not give the best impression of the home's storage capacity. The same is true of a garage or loft that is packed with possessions.
You do not necessarily need to empty these areas. Simply removing some of the contents can make them look more useful and spacious.
Self storage can be a convenient place to keep those belongings during the sale.
Keep your belongings accessible
One concern with putting possessions away before a move is that you may need something unexpectedly.
That is why self storage can be more practical than simply packing everything away in a relative's garage or moving boxes into an inaccessible corner of the house.
With a self storage unit, your belongings remain together and can be accessed when required. If you suddenly need a piece of furniture, a box of documents or some seasonal equipment, you know where it is.
Preparing for the period after the sale
The period between accepting an offer and moving into your next home can sometimes involve uncertainty. Your completion date may change. Your next property may not be ready. You may decide to renovate before moving everything in.
Having some possessions already in self storage can make these situations easier to manage. Instead of having to move everything at once, you can keep selected belongings stored securely and bring them into your new home when the time is right.
Self storage gives you room to make decisions
One of the biggest advantages of using self storage while selling a home is that it removes some of the pressure to make immediate decisions; you can put belongings aside and deal with them when you have more time.
At STAR selfstore, we provide self storage for a range of personal storage needs, so you can choose an option that suits the amount you need to put away. Whether you are clearing a spare room, reducing the contents of your garage or temporarily storing furniture, having additional space can make preparing your home for sale much more straightforward.
FAQ
Why should I declutter before putting my house on the market?
Decluttering can help your home look more spacious and make it easier for potential buyers to see the layout and potential of each room.
Where should I put belongings when decluttering for a house sale?
Self storage provides a dedicated place for belongings that you want to keep but do not need in your home while it is being marketed.
Can I put my furniture into self storage before selling my home?
Yes. Storing surplus furniture can help create more floor space and make rooms easier for potential buyers to appreciate.
Should I declutter my garage before selling?
It can be worthwhile. Clearing some of the contents can help demonstrate how much usable space the garage provides.
What about belongings I still want after moving?
You can keep them in self storage while your home is being sold and decide what to do with them once you know more about your next property.
Is self storage only useful until my house sells?
No. You can continue using your storage unit during the move if you need somewhere to keep belongings between properties or while your new home is being prepared.
