another residence during the home marketing and sale period. If moving out is not an option, you can still achieve some of the advantages of selling an unoccupied home by renting a storage unit and putting away as many personal items and belongings as possible. This will also help you when you do move because your things will already be wrapped, boxed, and ready to go. Remove all personal items, anything of value, family pictures, bookshelves, decorations, and anything that has personal value to you. Furniture that would not work well with the showings should also be removed. It is best to make the house appear as if you are not living in it. Having a storage unit, in this case, is your best bet, as you can easily store everything in one place and will not have to impose on friends or family to use their garage.
MOVING BEFORE THE SALE RE THE SALE
If circumstances allow, moving out of the home before the sale is a good approach and a method to prepare your home for the market more adequately. All preparations can be accomplished with a “blank slate” of a house, which can include filling nail holes, painting the walls, replacing dingy carpet, or even turning carpeted floors into wood floors. Ensure that both the interior and the exterior of the home are spotless. This means a continually mowed lawn, raked leaves, trimmed hedges, and freshened or repainted outside of your home. Leave some furnishings, such as couches, beds, plants, and tables, but avoid anything that might give off a too-personal feel or vibe. Even if a home is sparsely furnished, a staged home will sell quickly and at a price that can be higher compared to a house that is cluttered with family possessions. Your home will need to sell quickly if you are buying a new one before you move out. Handling and paying for two mortgages simultaneously can be incredibly burdensome, but if you can do so, moving out and selling your home while it is vacant will be
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