The best way to prepare to sell your home is to begin by methodically taking inventory of your possessions and purging all unwanted possessions and clutter. Adding space to your home makes it more desirable to prospective buyers and also solidifies your intention to move.

Before I moved to Southern California from Florida, I began getting rid of excess possessions. I did not know how or when we were going to be able to move, given the dramatic difference in real estate values and cost of living, I knew that we had to begin somewhere.

The fact that the move would be across the entire Untied States made it easy to see what I didn’t want to pay to move! The actual process of de-cluttering set the intention that we were going to move. I feel very strongly that by starting to downsize. purge, plot and pack, our dreams became much easier to manifest!

An easy place to begin in decluttering your life is to methodically empty closets and cabinets. You will be amazed at the things you have managed to store away over the years! As you empty each space, examine each item and make a decision. I’ll explain more about that process in Space Clearing 101.

Once you have mastered clearing, organizing and/or packing the items in your hidden spaces, it will be easier to clear the visible spaces. You will have fresh eyes and a new perspective about how much stuff you really own. This makes it much easier to let go of the tchotchkes collecting dust throughout your home.

Buyers want to see wide-open spaces, clear ledges and countertops. Space helps them visualize how their possessions will look in their new home. If your home is overflowing with clutter, it is more difficult for them to see their life superimposed in your home. Make it easy for the buyer. Give them plenty of space in which to dream their own dreams as they take the grand tour!

To prepare for your de-cluttering project, equip yourself with empty boxes, packing paper and trash bags. Pick a door, open it and get started! As you pull items out, ask yourself these questions:

1. When was the last time I used this?
2. Will I need it or even want it in my new home?
3. If so, is it worth packing and paying to move?

If you immediately catch yourself thinking, “where did this come from?” instead of asking yourself one of the above questions, this is a good indication that you should quickly donate it and move on!

Each item will involve one of three possible actions. You can

• donate it or pass it along to someone else
• trash or recycle it
• or pack it to move into your new home.

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