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Hidden Clutter: Nine Spots a Buyer will Look

One of the most important things your home can offer a potential buyer is plenty of space.

It may seem like we are jumping all over the house, but in reality, we are tackling the cupboards, closets, and drawers where a potential buyer is most likely to look first. Take a peek in each of these areas. Toss anything you don't want to move into your new home, donate anything that can be used by others, and organize the stuff you want to keep. A quick swipe of the shelves with a hot soapy cloth will brighten any storage space!

1. Under the Kitchen Sink: get rid of extra cleaning chemicals, old dishclothes and scouring pads, clean the gargage can, wipe down the bottom and the insides of the doors.
   
   
2. The kitchen cutlery/gadget drawer: get rid of excess gadgets, clean out the silverware tray, vacuum out the crumbs, and wash the insides of the drawer.
   
   
3. The pantry cupboard: One shelf at a time - starting at the top. Remove the food, toss any that is too old to use, or that you will never cook. Then wipe down the shelf and replace the food. Don't worry about setting up a complicated labelling/alphabetizing system. Now is not the time!
   
   
4. Dishes and coffee mug cupboard: get rid of any coffee cups, mixmatched glasses, baby plates, etc. that you don't use or love. Add them to your donation box. You will be amazed at how much room you will have in your kitchen cabinets when the extra stuff is gone! Then wipe out each shelf and replace the dishes you use and love.
   
   
5. Plastic container drawer/cupboard: get rid of all those plastic containers that are warped, cracked, or have no lids. Then get rid of all those sour cream and yogurt plastic containers. Can you believe, I moved an ENTIRE box of these at one time. Duh! Again, the amount of space this clutter takes up is amazing! Then wipe out each shelf and replace with the containers you are going to keep.
   
   
6. The front hall closet: One shelf at a time. Get rid of anything you no longer want. Use your best coat hangers in this closet. Keep as few shoes in it as you can. Vacuum or sweep it out and wash the floor. If there are scuff marks from the shoes on the walls, try to scrub some of these out. Ensure the closet door can close completely.
   
   
7. Under the bathroom sink: this is home to more cleaning chemicals, old hair products, cosmetic failures, broken stuff, toilet paper rolls, and who knows what else. Now is the time to grab your trash bag and toss away! Then wipe out the cupboard and replace the things you want to keep.
   
   
8. Master Bedroom Closet: YIKES! Yes, nearly every prospective buyer will look into your closet to see if there is enough room for all their clothes, shoes, belts, and what not! This is your opportunity to take your donation box (or bag) and fill it to the brim with clothes that don't fit, that are out-of-style, that you hate and will never wear, that need to be mended (but you know you will never mend them), shoes that pinch the toes, belts that are crinked up, bathing suits that will never leave the closet, socks with holes (they go in the trash!), T-shirts that you have too many of, pyjamas that scratch, and whatever else does not make you smile. Work on it one shelf at a time, then take a break. The closet will not take as long as you think it will.
   
   
9. Linen Closet: Every woman looks inside the linen closet to see if there is enough room for her own things. Again, one shelf at a time! Be tough! If the bath towel is so thin that you can see through it, or if you don't have any more twin beds in your home to fit the five pair of twin sheets, it may be time to declutter them. How many sets of sheets do you really need? How about towels? They tend to multiply. Did you know you can take the excess sheets and towels to your local SPCA?
   
   

Note: When you decide to go tackle all those boxes and bags you have stored in the basement, garage, and attic, please take out only one box at a time. Remember to use your trash bag and donation box. Just do a little everyday. The space will begin to magically appear and your home will begin to look larger. This will add value to the selling price!

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