‘Tis the season … for preparing to sell AND helping others.

Seasons Greetings! While the temperatures continue to fall and the decorations go up, it’s a great time to start prepping your home to sell next spring. If you are seriously thinking about putting your house on the market come spring, then you should heed this holiday advice.

Now is the perfect time, as you are pulling out holiday decorations, to start to declutter your home in preparation for that “For Sale” sign in your yard. By doing so, you just might be able to help someone in need at the same time. Now, isn’t that what the holiday season is all about?

To start, focus on a couple places – closets and basements. When you are digging through the closet for that “ugly sweater” I’ll bet you start to wonder how you accumulated so much… well, STUFF. Use this as the perfect time to pitch or, better yet, set aside your unwanted and/or unworn items (more details on this in a few). By concentrating on thinning out closets, come time to sell, this will make your “storage” space look more spacious. The same goes for the basement. As you climb through the boxes looking for those lights and blow-up Rudolph, I’m sure you’ll wade through things that you have meant to pile up and call for a bulk pick up! Set these aside as well.

Piles of three. In this time of need, there are great options to help you thin your clutter out. The common rule I have is to put things in piles of three.

1. One to keep (I apply the rule of “if you haven’t used or worn in the last year or more than you should let it go.)
2. One to throw out (recycling when possible.)
3. One to donate… yes, donate. There are many great organizations in the Kenosha area that are looking for clothes and other items, especially during the cold winter months and the holidays.

Donating your gently used and unwanted items is a great way to help your community and feel a sense of pride in doing so.

I have a couple of local non-profits that I feel are very worthy and in need, but don’t feel you are limited to just these two. Do what fits your mission or feels best. There is no bad choice.

Women’s and Children’s Horizons
The mission of Women and Children’s Horizons is to provide support, shelter, education, training and healing services to victims of sexual and domestic abuse, their families and the community. They have a thrift shop that accepts all donations (listed below).

Nifty Thrifty Resale Shop:
4200 39th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53144
(262) 605-3326

ELAC Outreach Center 
The mission of the ELCA Outreach Center is to Share God’s Love by addressing the needs of children, youth, and adults through programs and services that encourage them to become self-sufficient, caring and participating members of the community. They accept donations (mainly clothes) that may help someone dress for that job interview that they are working to get.

ELCA OUTREACH CENTER
6218 26th Avenue
Kenosha, WI 53143
(262) 652-5545

Following the “piles of three” guidelines will help you clear and organize your home’s storage space AND help others this holiday season. I guarantee that you will be more in the holiday spirit afterward… and one step closer to prepping and listing your home for sale.

Contact Cove Realty to get your home listed before spring. Happy Holidays!!