The KonMari Method: How to Prep Your Home for Sale

One of the biggest challenges sellers face when prepping their home for sale is the “D” word - Decluttering. It’s an intimidating project, and it can sometimes be paralyzing and overwhelming. Not only is it a perfect time to purge years of accumulated items, but it’s also necessary for staging your home for show. Prospective buyers like to envision themselves living in your space, and a de-cluttered home allows for that imagination.

So, where do you start? What do you keep? What do you toss? What sparks joy? Thanks to tidying sensation Marie Kondo, you can compartmentalize the project one bite at a time. Kondo, a bestselling author, star of Netflix’s hit show, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” and founder of KonMari Media, Inc., offers six simple rules:

Rule #1: Commit yourself to tidying up.

Rule #2: Imagine your ideal lifestyle.

Rule #3: Finish discarding first.

Rule #4: Tidy by category, not by location.

Rule #5: Follow the right order.

Rule #6: Ask yourself if it sparks joy.

Kondo has been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People. Her tidying philosophy has been revered all around the world – it’s effective, and also places a great importance on being mindful, introspective, and forward-looking.

Once you’ve tidied up, walk through your home with fresh eyes. Look for any imperfections that a buyer might notice. It’s best to put away personal photographs and sentimental items. That way, they will be kept in a safe place and it will reduce the amount of packing you’ll need to do right before you move.

They say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Perhaps some of your discarded items will spark joy for someone else? We love donating locally to non-profit organizations. If you have any clothing that a high school student might use, consider donating to Project 150, who serves homeless, displaced, or disadvantaged students. Lexie’s Gift accepts gently used clothing and shoes for those in transition. And when any of your donations are sold at St. Vincent’s Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada, 100% of the profits are used to purchase food to those in need or other poverty assistance programs.

Whether you are selling your home and relocating to another city, downsizing to something smaller, upgrading to something a bit bigger, or moving in with family, only bring items with you that spark joy. This will ensure that your next home-sweet-home is off to the best start.

Follow the Sullivan-Wonhof-Gore Luxury Real Estate Team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date on real estate news, Montrêux events, and local happenings in the Reno-Tahoe area. For real estate inquiries, stop by the beautiful Montrêux Welcome Center at 16475 Bordeaux Dr. in Reno, Nevada, call us at 775.849.9444, or email us at info@luxuryrenohomes.com. The Welcome Center is open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.