Do creepy crawly things slither out every time you open the garage door? You’re not alone! Garages can be super scary places, especially when left untouched and un-tidied for a few too many years. If you’re ready to make the transformation from Zombieland: Double Tap to a tamer “feel good” Toy Story 4, we’re ready to award you a Grammy for best garage presentation ever!
A few easy do’s and don’ts will get you on your way to a buyer-friendly garage space, making it a key asset in the sale of your home. The first question most sellers ask us is -- what should be stored in the garage? For starters, your car(s). According to Unclutter.com, 57% of people with two-car garages don’t have room to park one or both cars inside. What?!! We always encourage sellers to clearly demonstrate enough open space to park at least one car inside.
More winning garage tips include:
· Taming takes time! Be sure to give yourself at least a half-day to accomplish this chore. Sunny days work best since you’ll be using your driveway as a decluttering/decision-making zone. Be sure to have all the right supplies on hand -- trash bags, a pressure washer, shop vac or large broom, and lots of plastic tubs of multiple sizes for sorting and organizing (source: thespruce.com). If your garage lacks adequate shelving, consider buying at least two sets of tall sturdy plastic shelves to help with organizing when items go back inside.
· Next, take everything out of the garage – yes everything! Once the garage is empty, give it a good cleaning before anything goes back in. Shop vac the walls, sweep & pressure wash floors, and address any oil stains or odors. This is also the time to decide whether a fresh coat of paint on the walls would energize the space. House Dressings sellers find that clean, well-0rganized garages adds value to your home.
· Ready to start organizing? A consensus of organizing experts suggests using this simple 4-step system: keep, donate, sell, toss. Only the items in the “keep” pile will go back into the garage on taming day. (source: thespruce.com) Since you’re selling and moving, this step will be a great start as you prepare to pack up and roll out on closing day.
· Now you’re ready for zoning. Yep! That’s how best to organize your new & improved decluttered garage. From your “keep” pile, create storage areas within the garage for up to four zones – examples include car supplies, yard/gardening, sports equipment, and tools (source: unclutter.com). For sellers, you may want to substitute one of these zones for moving boxes. Seasonal storage such as Christmas boxes can be stored in the garage attic or off-site. The expert zoning system you create on taming day will definitely impress buyers as they visualize their cars and storage in your garage.
· Last tip – you guessed it! Keep it tidy! That includes making sure the garage continues to feel spacious by not overcrowding floor space. (source: unclutter.com) Sweep or blow out weekly while your house is one the market. And by all means, stick to your zones!!
