De-cluttering: It’s Not Just For Orlando Home Sellers!... 

Yes, homeowners who are planning to put their Orlando or Central Florida homes on the market do need to de-clutter as the first step in preparing their homes to be photographed and shown. But those who are thinking of buying soon should also de-clutter, simply because it will make the move far easier and less stressful. When the time comes to move you'll only need to pack those items that you use every day. Whether planning to buy or planning to sell, the key to success is starting early, and not trying to do it all at once. If you wait, the task becomes overwhelming and you'll be tempted to just dump everything into boxes to "deal with later."  Instead, take it one room at at time - or even one closet, pantry or drawer at a time. 

The first step is to get five sturdy boxes. 

Label them:

• Keep (for the occasionally used items you'll put in storage until they have a place in your new home)
• Throw away
• Give away
• Sell
• Not sure

Financial expert Suze Gorman says "If you don't use it or love it, get rid of it," and that's a good sentiment to use as you're pondering the items in the "not sure" category.  If you haven't worn that shirt or used that casserole dish in two years, give it away. If you haven't gotten around to repairing that broken clock for so long that you forgot you owned it, throw it away. As you fill each "give away" or "throw away" box, get it out of the house. The next time you're out and about, drop the give away box at a local non-profit thrift store. Put the throw away box out to be collected with the trash or drop it at the landfill. Pick up replacement boxes on your way home.  When you have enough "sell" boxes, hold a yard sale. Turn some of that unneeded "stuff" into cash and buy yourself a treat - or save it for an extra-special celebratory dinner when you move into your new home. We’re about to hit the Fall season… which is a terrific time for yard sales in Orlando!!!!

A bonus to getting this done early: It feels really good to live in a de-cluttered home.