Selling and Decluttering – 4 Reasons to Pack your Collections

We all have collections.  Some people collect old cars.  Others cannot pass by a figurine without buying it to add to their collection.  Maybe we collect because of a primal need to horde.  One lesson to learn early is to never tell friends, relatives and coworkers that you love/collect – frogs, dragonflies, door knobs, bobble heads, Starbuck coffee mugs, etc.  You can be assured that every gift you receive after telling them what you collect will be related to “your collections”.  Before long, you will have too much and too many of your favourite things. 

Whatever the cause for having a large collection, selling your house is NOT the opportunity to show it off. 

  1. A collection takes space.  You will best be served to show how large and clean your house / garage / yard is. 
  2. A collection distracts Buyers.  Often a Buyer will stop considering your house because they spend all their viewing time looking at your collection.
  3. A collection can be a dust / dirt magnet.  It is impossible to keep your 55 bunnies dusted.  When selling your home, things need to be spotless.
  4. A collection may be too valuable to leave out.  Why tempt people to steal or chance having your collection pieces broken?    Safely pack your collection and unpack in your new home.  

For those who have no collections (lucky you) but want to start, think of a collection that can be packed in one shoe box – diamonds, rare postage stamps, Tiffany jewellery, rare baseball cards.  The smaller the item the less space it will take.

What is smaller than a bread box?  The home for your new collection.

Photo credit:  Star Wars Bobble Heads @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanosh/2783116556/

Zingers #59 – Dog days of summer

Selling your home will cost you money.  One thing you should be prepared to do is leave your air conditioner on during the day even if you are not home.  Make your home comfortable for buyers.  The more comfortable your home, the longer the buyer will stay to consider the purchase. 

Don’t leave your house wiener roasting hot. 

Old Ottawa South – Six Month Sales Comparison

What happened in the first six months of this year?  Based on MLS®statistics for  residential properties (not including condos), things in the Old Ottawa South area have almost doubled in number:

2008 – 60 units sold at an average price of $466,051 with average DOM of 22.

2009 – 55 units sold at an average price of $514,010 with average DOM of 43.

The Old Ottawa South Area:  Things keep on moving.  

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