The storage places are all those neglected areas of our homes : The basement, the garage, the closets, laundry area etc.
While I don’t recommend spending much money decorating those spaces, I do recommend organizing them.
When potential buyers are entering a property, they are looking for storage space that will fulfill their needs. The goal is to make sure the potential is seen by removing any distractions. My rule of thumb in all areas is to remove 50% of items available. Here are more details for important areas:
Basement: If your basement is unfinished, there is no need to invest in finishing the space unless you had plans to. If you had started a particular project I recommend at least finishing it to add value for a potential buyer.
If the basement is currently used as a catch all space, it’s important to organize it. Boxes can be stacked in a corner or against the wall to clear the space.
Your basement has no specific purpose? Areas are not defined? Place a few items so a potential buyer can have an idea of how to use the space.
Watch out for any odor particularly humidity that can be common in basements
Garage: It’s hard to evaluate the space for a car when the garage is filled to the max! Just like the basement, try to line up any items against the walls.
Closets: Remove items that are out of season and pack them (you will be out before you know it!) The rule of thumb for closets is to empty the top and bottom if possible.
All other storage areas: While preparing to sell your house, take advantage of the preparation phase to assess all areas of your home. Are there any items you haven’t used in the past 6 months? If yes, chances are you won’t use them in the next 6 months! Donate items if they are still in good condition, or ditch them.
Finally, preparing a home for the market is a lot of work. It takes team work to sell a house: Home owners that are ready to make short term sacrifices, a great real estate agent, and a Home Stager to help you give a good first impression and get top dollar for your property.
