Real estate question

[ConservativeMobster]

I'm in the process of packing my house, getting ready to market.  I have a realtor that has been to my home for a quick look and I really like him, he's giving me a discount on his fees because of a friend referral and I really like his style.  I won't be ready to list the house until mid to late Feb.

My question is this.  What should I do with all my boxes and belongings during the showing?  I have 4 bedrooms and thought to spread the boxes out so the rooms have the appearance of being larger, or should I just sacrifice 1 room and stack them there?  I have something like 100 boxes, mostly neat and uniform in size.  I'm not loaded with furniture, less than a room full.

When I met this realtor a few months ago I told him that I wanted a quick sale, below market if necessary. He suggested that I only do some minor cosmetic things and to not put a lot of money into updates.  I've gone beyond that because I have lots of free time and I'm going stir crazy around here, need more ideas on small projects that I can do to have the house presentable.  I've re-caulked the main bath for instance and would welcome hints from those of you that have sold before.

[BEG]

Could you rent a small storage unit?

[ConservativeMobster]

I had thought of that BEG.  Maybe even a PODS type thing.  Here's some additional info.

I'm in SC and when the house sells I'm going home to live in MS.  I have a huge move (huge for me!) and pretty much want to do this alone.  And my budget precludes any additional expense, I have to rent a storage in MS until I can build my new place.  That's why I had considered a PODS.

My son will come from AZ to load up and move my stuff to MS, doesn't really make sense to load this stuff up twice, once here until I move and then again with a U Haul.  I'm really just needing advice on how to show the house with the boxes here if that's not a bad choice as far as presentation.

[BEG]

I had thought of that BEG.  Maybe even a PODS type thing.  Here's some additional info.

I'm in SC and when the house sells I'm going home to live in MS.  I have a huge move (huge for me!) and pretty much want to do this alone.  And my budget precludes any additional expense, I have to rent a storage in MS until I can build my new place.  That's why I had considered a PODS.

My son will come from AZ to load up and move my stuff to MS, doesn't really make sense to load this stuff up twice, once here until I move and then again with a U Haul.  I'm really just needing advice on how to show the house with the boxes here if that's not a bad choice as far as presentation.

I would just stack them the best presentable way you can.  People looking at your house will know you are in the process of moving and can overlook boxes, messes not so much.

[DumbAss Tanker]

It's not all bad, at least they'll know you're not going to balk at the closing!

 

[Eupher]

If moving into a storage unit isn't practical, yeah, I agree with BEG. Put as many as you can in a smaller bedroom, essentially sacrificing it. That wouldn't bother people viewing the home nearly as much as leaving it all in the living room or kitchen would, I'd think. If you've got some stuff that won't stack nicely, might want to cover it up with a sheet or two.

[ConservativeMobster]

Thanks all, appreciate the replies.

I like your suggestion Eupher.  My 3 extra bedrooms are the same size and it's not hard to imagine what one of them would look like without the boxes.

[Gratiot]

I've gone beyond that because I have lots of free time and I'm going stir crazy around here, need more ideas on small projects that I can do to have the house presentable.  I've re-caulked the main bath for instance and would welcome hints from those of you that have sold before.

My house just went on the market last week.  I had nine calls the first day to my realtor.  Two were cash offers, and the other seven were requests for immediate viewings. 

Outside I had the place power washed, a few gallons of paint on the trim work to make it shine.  A few bags of shiny top soil in the flower gardens, with some fresh bright colored flowers.  Along with a cheap, but fancy looking doormat from Frontgate.

Inside I threw a quick coat of (cheap) paint up, with some high gloss accents.  I also changed the cover plates on all light switches and electrical outlets to some shiny ones.  Caulked both bathrooms, cleaned the carpet, and waxed a nice shine into the wood cabinets and bannister rails.

I than had a professional photographer take the pictures versus using the Realtor.  All in all, I had less than a thousand dollars in materials, and a good weekend worth of sweat into it.

[ConservativeMobster]

Seriously? A weekend of work?  I'll send ya a plane ticket!

Good tips, I've done several of them and plan to do the outside curb appeal thing when I get closer to listing.  It's the plumbing and electrical that has me spooked.  I don't do fire and water 

Keep us posted about your sale. I'm a novice but my favorite channel on the tube is HGTV.

[Gratiot]

Seriously? A weekend of work?  I'll send ya a plane ticket!

Good tips, I've done several of them and plan to do the outside curb appeal thing when I get closer to listing.  It's the plumbing and electrical that has me spooked.  I don't do fire and water 

Keep us posted about your sale. I'm a novice but my favorite channel on the tube is HGTV.

Well I had to fly to my place as well, it took a Fri, Sat, Sunday and help from my dad and brother-in-law.  Up early and not wrapping up till around midnight for the most part.  Pretty exhausting, but hopefully worthwhile.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the whole process, it's my first house sale and seriously depressing at what I listed it for versus what I paid almost a decade ago.

I wouldn't worry about getting too involved in the plumbing or electrical as long as there's no leaks or serious issues.  I didn't replace the outlets themselves, just the cheap cover plates.  I picked up the shiny ones that were like $2 each, and one screw later, it looked significantly better... for quick glance/photo appeal.