Living in a home for sale, whether you are selling a home in Lake of the Woods, Wilderness Shores, Rhoadesville, or elsewhere is always a challenge. Your home needs to be ready for showings at all times, so potential buyers see your home at its best. Last month, I shared some tips for having your bathroom ready for showings. Today I’m tackling the most challenging room; keeping children’s rooms ready for showings.
Children’s rooms are always a task; turn your back for a moment and the amount of toys and random objects scattered on the carpet will double. The last thing anyone wants to be doing before you leave your home for a showing is running around scooping up Legos and Barbies. Check out these tips for getting your kid’s room ready for showings.
Keep, Donate, Trash
Now is a great time to go through your child’s room and determine what items to keep, what things can be donated like too small clothing and that stack of toys from fast food restaurants, and what needs to be thrown away. You will give yourself more space in the room which is always a plus for buyers who don’t want to see over crowded areas and you won’t have to move all the donated and trash items to your new home.
Set expectations
Unless you’ve got very young ones, talk with your children about the moving process and explain your expectations for keeping their room neat and presentable. Make sure you explain how they can do this. Don’t just say, “I don’t want to see clothes and toys on the floor” without including where you want those toys and clothes to be kept. Make cleaning up a fun challenge; set a timer every night for a different amount of time (i.e. three minutes, six minutes) and challenge them to see how much they can clean up in that amount of time; it doesn’t have to be everything. Then, repeat it again in the morning. The small chunks of cleaning can make a big difference overall.
Baskets are your friend.
Containing children’s toys in baskets under the bed, in the closet, or on a bookshelf can help give the appearance of a clean room even if everything in the basket is unorganized. If you have an unplanned showing, use a laundry basket to gather up anything laying around and toss it in the car to take with you. When you get home, everyone can help put the items away properly.
Special Items Need a Special Place.
Do you have some sentimental items? Maybe it’s a blanket, toy, or picture. Now is the time to pack those items away and store them in a safe spot. If your child has a toy that would be devastating for them to lose, then consider bringing it with you during showings or having a designated spot to put it. While potential buyers will be accompanied by a Realtor® during showings, accidents can happen; a shelf can be bumped, another child can unknowingly carry a toy out, ect. Keep those irreplaceable things safe.
Neutralize the Space
Even though for your family this bedroom is for a child, it doesn’t mean that it will be for the next buyer. Having a neutral paint color on the wall can help potential buyers see beyond the toys. At the same time, moving can be challenging for children, so I think it’s ok if you don’t change out their bedspread or remove other accessories that make the room their own. Simplify the space by removing excess pictures on the walls and box up seasonal items that aren’t currently being used. Use dressers and baskets in closets to stash everyday use items like hair brushes.
Bonus Tip: Showings can happen unexpectedly. Be prepared. Have a bag with some snacks and toys so that whether you head over to a friend’s house during the showing, go to a park, or just drive around the block, you will have some things to entertain the kids without the stress of trying to pack it during the last minute rush to get out of the house.
Having your children’s room ready for showings is just one of the areas in your house to focus on when your home’s on the market. Looking for more tips about selling a home? Check out these articles below.
