Your Best Foot Forward Starts With...

                       Photos: http://tinyurl.com/decluttermess

DECLUTTERING. Clutter is a natural part of living in a home. To some degree, we all have it - some maybe more than others.  When you are selling your home; however, it is important to remember that this clutter can be distracting to potential buyers. 

Here are a few tips we found helpful to declutter your home: 

1. If you haven't used it or worn it for the past year, get rid of it. Donate it, sell it, trash it. 
2. Start boxing up and getting ready for the move. This includes parring down personal items. Store boxes neatly in the garage or in an empty room. 
3. Everything a place and everything in its place. Designate a spot for the mail, homework, etc. Important: Make sure your family all knows the location(s).  
4. Use labels in cupboards and on bins to help ensure things get put back in the correct spot. 
5. Get creative with storage. Store shoes in under-the-bed boxes, use decorative baskets, go vertical by creating additional shelving, etc. 
6. Put baskets at the top of your stairs or in your mudroom with each person's name. Throughout the day, items that belong to that person can be put in the basket. At the end of the day, the person takes his/her basket and puts the things in their proper place. When it comes time to show your home to potential buyers, the baskets can be quickly tucked away in each room. 
7. Before the kids go to bed, have a 10-minute race to see who can pick up and put away the most stuff. The winner gets to choose the bedtime story. (This works best with little kids, but could be adapted for older kids.)

The ultimate goal is to set up a space that works well for your needs and puts your home's best "foot" forward to potential buyers.