Decluttering Your Family Home

Clearing out unused or unneeded items from your home, also called decluttering is an essential step in preparing to sell. By sorting through your belongings and choosing what you would like to keep, and what you’re ready to move on from, you’ll have less to worry about come moving day. 

Or, even if you’re not looking to sell just yet, decluttering can be a simple way to refresh your living space and keep things organized. 

The best part? Decluttering is often much easier than people realize – and when done properly, it can actually be a fun, cathartic experience. 

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Your First Steps

Whether you’re decluttering in preparation to sell or simply wishing to make your home feel like new again, having a well-thought-out plan of action is essential. 

Depending on the size of your home and how much stuff you’re looking to get rid of, decluttering can be a big process. To avoid being overwhelmed, you’ll want to start the process early and break it up into smaller steps rather than trying to tackle the entire home in a single day.

Keep Everyone in the Loop 

Along with having a plan, the right approach to decluttering your family home also requires great communication. Even if your children are grown up and have moved out, they may have important belongings or keepsakes around the house. Ideally, every family member will be around to help with the decluttering process, however, that isn’t always possible. 

Before you start the decluttering process, have a conversation with your family. Let them know about your preferred timeline and give them the chance to speak up about items they wish to hold onto or take off your hands. 

Selling your family home in search of something smaller? Explore a few of these downsizer-friendly blog posts from our site. 

• 5 Reasons Downsizing is Easier Than You Think
• 3 Great West Toronto Neighbourhoods For Downsizers
• Selling After a Divorce: Options & Pathways 

Create a System

Rather than sorting through items randomly, you’ll want to have a system in place as you declutter. We recommend creating three distinct categories to group items – things to keep, things to donate or pass on, and things to throw away. 

For smaller belongings, get specific boxes or containers for the items you’ll be passing on and for those that you intend to throw away. This can help you stay organized and avoid having to sort the same item twice. 

For larger belongings that won’t fit into a single container like furniture or sporting goods, create tags or labels that you can stick on individual items. 

Don’t Underestimate the Value of Your Belongings

While most of the things you choose to declutter can be donated, handed on to a family member, or thrown away, some items may actually be worth selling. If you’re taking on decluttering during the warmer months, consider hosting a garage or yard sale. This is a win-win as it allows you to get rid of unwanted items while earning a little extra cash to use towards your move, or any way else you may like. 

If you have any larger items, collectables, heirlooms, or antiques that are of high value, you may want to sell these online to help you get a better return. 

Decluttering can help many home sellers achieve great results on the market. For more insights about optimizing the sale of your home, explore these blog posts. 

• The Power of Staging a Home to Sell
• What Sellers Should Know About Exclusive Listings
• How to Sell Your Toronto Home in a Balanced Market

A Hands-Off Decluttering Experience 

With the right approach, a DIY decluttering process can be easy and effective. However, if you’re looking for a completely hassle-free way to tackle unwanted items in your home, Smith Proulx Real Estate Team can help. 

As a full-service real estate team in West Toronto, we’ve helped countless clients through an efficient and organized downsizing process. Regardless of what your ideal home selling experience looks like, we’re here to take on the heavy lifting so you can relax and enjoy it. 

Looking for a full-service team who can help you declutter your home and reach your real estate goals? We’re here to help. Send us an email or call 416-769-6050 to get started.