Ask the Experts

Q. I am a widow and my children are grown and live far away.  My home has nearly 30 years of memories and there is stuff everywhere.  I am interested in selling my home but worry that I won’t get as much as I could because of my treasures.  Can you recommend where to start?

 A. Many people consider selling but are deterred from making the move because we are bogged down by a lifetime of household possessions.  Constant editing of household possessions is difficult.   We understand that a home is more than a home base.  It’s where you raised your kids. It provided equity for second mortgages to help finance the kids’ college  education.   After about 30 years in a home, it’s no wonder you begin to regard their home with the same loyalty and admiration as if it were one of the family! But, preparing your home for the market is very important for you and your equity. You owe it to yourself to maximize the return on your investment. The Stovall Team can help you achieve your home selling goals.

 It isn’t just about getting rid of ‘stuff.’  Every little piece of stuff that goes out the door is tied to some special family moment or ceremonial event or proud accomplishment.  It can hurt, really hurt, deeply with an emptiness in the gut to see the wake left behind by one’s life trickle out the door with these hundreds of possessions. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

•  Label the Keepers:  Put a label on those items to be moved to the new home, and where it will be placed.  (It is crucial to pre-plan and label where each item will go. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with three carloads of items to store in the small hall closet.)
• Family Gifts:  Schedule a day for your family to come through privately and remove what they want.  The key is remove.  Not claim.  “Remove-it or lose-it.”  Let your family members know that their new treasure must go home with them….now.
• Home updates/paint/cleaning: Our professional on staff interior designer will help you make a plan and it’s at no cost to you. She will recommend all the necessary improvements and modifications allowing you to get the most for your home.  We urge you to get help and we can make recommendations.  Yes, you can do it.  But you may be  too busy physically moving in to the new home, and mentally adjusting to all of the newness. Let The Stovall Team help you just as we have helped hundreds of our prior clients.

Let the Stovall Team help with your Real Estate needs.  Call us today at 714.343.9294 or 714.393.5377 for a pre market and purchase consultation. Your best interest is always our highest  priority.   We are happy to assist with all of your Real Estate needs. Visit our   website  stovallteam.com