One of my dear friends is selling her country ranch to move to another country ranch. When she told me about prepping the house for market, she commented "it looks so freaking good right now; I don't even want to leave it!"
Right. Because it was ship-shape. De-cluttered. Magazine ready. Buyer-appealing.
So, why do we get our houses attractive for a buyer ("They do not want to see your clutter!", admonishes Realtor Rob), so said buyer can move in and junk up the previously tidy place with all their stuff? A mystery, indeed.
The fact that you're nodding in affirmation right now tells me you've been there and thought the same. It also validates my original concepts that most of us really don't like clutter and crap messing up our zen.
Beloved Husband reminds me on the daily when I am tidying up the living room or recycling the endless periodicals that decorate our counter tops, "we LIVE here, y'know?!?". As if to say, we don't have to be magazine ready here at the ranch. Well, we are far from it. I would argue that no one walks into a home and comments, oh wow, I love what you've done with all those magazines stacked next to the bed, and look at that pile of mail over by your couch! A true art form! And that wall crammed full of crosses from Hobby Lobby? An original decorating concept for sure!
But when you're scoping out properties on Zillow, you know you gravitate toward the sparse kitchen counter tops and the neatly arranged (just a few, people!) throw pillows. You can't see the closets (usually), so they may be floor to ceiling with all the stuff they threw in there just before the photographer showed up, but the rest looks inviting, right?
Even if you're not in the market to sell, look at your place with a buyer's eye. You probably loved the place once, so love it again! Make your living spaces look like you live there, but not as if Hoarders is on their way over to feature you. Maybe get rid of the dust collectors on top of your cabinets, and leave that space open. You rarely use your can opener, so find it a spot near the pots and pans. Make the master bedroom an "owner's retreat" to borrow from the lexicon of the real estate world, not a depository for clothes and kids' crap.
We spend 40% of our income (or more?) and lots of our time in our homes. Remember why you bought/leased the place initially? Bring yourself back there, and don't just get it ready for the next buyer. They are just going to crapify it with all their stuff anyway.
Happy Weekend, Minimalist friends!
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