Does even the thought of selling your house make you want to curl up on the couch and hide? There are so many decisions to make. It can feel like a very daunting task. If you are considering putting your house on the market, here are three things to consider to get you going:
- Do you have a plan? Where will you be moving to? Whether it is downsizing or upsizing, moving to a retirement residence, or moving out of province, be sure to have that all in place before listing your house. In this market things can happen quickly, so you will need to be ready.
- It’s time to de-clutter. This may be the most challenging aspect to moving. Over the years we have accumulated so many things. Some are very sentimental, and others are not. Start by getting rid of the things that you don’t need; the items that are not sentimental. A really good read on one way to approach this challenge is Mary Kondo’s book called “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”. It will, at least, inspire you to tackle the first step. There are also services available to help with this task. And there are many places to donate items. For example: Matthew House Ottawa Furniture Bank accepts furniture www.matthewhouseottawa.org ; Diabetes Canada accepts clothing and small household items www.diabetes.com , to mention just a few. You may also sell items on Facebook. There are many neighbourhood groups that promote items to buy, sell, and swap.
- Do you have a trusty realtor?
There is plenty to think about before taking the plunge. If you have real estate on your mind, I would be happy to consult with you to develop a “Prepare to Sell” plan. Stay warm, everyone!
