Selling your home is hectic and time-consuming under any condition, even more so if you’re living there at the time. But it’s a common situation that many others have survived, and you can too! Fortunately, those who have walked this path in the past have documented some tried-and-true strategies for maintaining your sanity and showcasing your home’s best qualities while juggling the realities of daily life. If you’re wondering how to sell your home while living in it, we’ve got answers!
The Challenges of Living in a Listed Home
If you’re not there yet, you may not realize what it’s like to live in a house that’s on the market. Because you don’t know when showings will take place, your home needs to look pristine at all times: a tall order even if you don’t have a young family! Your routines will be interrupted repeatedly, and you’ll feel as though privacy and peaceful relaxation are luxuries.
The good news is that the better you are at dealing with the difficulties, the better your chances of selling your home quickly and at a good price. Most sellers don’t have to put up with these conditions for longer than 60 days, and if you’re prepared for the upheaval, it’ll be a lot more tolerable.
Decluttering: Your First Step to Success
The most important part of how to sell your home while living in it is decluttering. When you’re selling, it’s essential that buyers be able to picture themselves living in the home, and that’s a lot easier when the rooms aren’t overflowing with personal possessions. A decluttered home also looks cleaner and larger, allowing prospective buyers to focus on the home’s good features rather than what’s in it.
Start the decluttering process by removing personal items such as photographs, collectibles, and excess decorations. Pack up out-of-season clothing, extra kitchenware and appliances, hobby and sporting goods, and anything else you don’t use on a daily basis. Don’t overlook closets, kitchen cupboards, bathroom vanities, or your garage; buyers will open doors while they’re touring your home, and they’ll be more impressed if they see organization and extra space.
Deep Clean
The next step in how to sell your house while living in it is thorough cleaning. Imagine your most judgmental friend is coming over, and clean as if they’ll be going over everything with a white glove. If you don’t have time to do this yourself, consider hiring someone to do it for you. An added advantage is that they’ll catch things you might miss, just like your judgmental friend would!
After your initial deep cleaning, maintain the momentum:
- Morning: Make all the beds as soon as you get up. Wipe down bathroom counters and mirrors, wash the breakfast dishes and put them away, and do a quick sweep for clutter. Open the curtains and blinds to let in maximum light. Take out the trash on your way out.
- Evening: Do the dishes as soon as you’re finished eating. Clean as you cook. Wipe down the kitchen counters. Do a walk-through before bed and put away anything that’s out of place.
- Weekly: Vacuum and mop all the floors, clean the bathrooms thoroughly, wash and fold laundry, including pet bedding.
Once you’ve established this routine, it will quickly become second nature. Commit to it enthusiastically, and you won’t notice the extra work.
Staying Showing Ready
Being flexible with showings is an important part of how to sell a home while living in it. More showings mean a quicker sale and less disruption to your life. Here’s how to prepare your house to show quickly:
- Designate zones where daily life can take place. Ideally, that’s a room that’s not a main feature, such as a family room in the basement. That’s where kids can leave some toys out, and you can relax a bit. Just be sure that it doesn’t get too cluttered and that things can be put away in a few minutes.
- Use baskets and bins in key areas. Make sure these are attractive storage containers where you can put things out of sight in an instant.
- Keep countertops clear by removing things like toiletries in the bathroom and small appliances in the kitchen. Stow these items in cupboards or drawers.
- Make a “showing cleaning kit” for quick touchups when a showing is scheduled. This should include glass cleaner, air freshener, a duster, and garbage bags.
- Prepare a “go bag” for rapid exits. Pack a bag with snacks and activities for small kids, a charging cable or battery pack for electronics, and have ideas for places to go while buyers are touring your house.
- Have an exit checklist handy so you don’t forget to do things like turning on lights, putting away stray items, or giving the home a spritz of air freshener before you leave. Plan to leave at least 10 minutes before the showing to avoid overlaps.
Showing a House with Pets
Dealing with pets is an important consideration in how to sell a home while living in it. Here are some tips:
- Remove pet odors as completely as possible. We often don’t detect pet smells when we live with them, so professional cleaning can come in handy for this. Vacuum carpets and wash pet bedding weekly.
- Remove extra pet items, including food bowls and toys, unless they’re in use.
- Include the presence of pets in your listing for buyers with allergies.
- Take pets with you during showings. Consider pet day care if you’ll be at work while showings might take place. If you anticipate a lot of showings in a short period, consider boarding your pets while you’re trying to sell.
Dealing with Children While Selling
When planning how to sell a home while living in it, children are a key factor. Older children can get involved in the process, so explain to them why the house needs to stay clean and give them tasks to do to help prepare for showings.
Younger children may find the process somewhat unsettling. Try to keep things as normal as possible, but simplify their environment so they have the things they love, just fewer of them. Make showings into an adventure rather than a challenge by planning activities in advance. If your children are very small, don’t aim for perfection; most buyers will understand some baby and toddler-related clutter, especially if they have children themselves!
Selling a Home While Living in It
Selling a home while living in it isn’t easy, but if you’re flexible with showings and the market is strong, this period won’t last long. Prepare yourself emotionally for a hectic time with some hassles, and this temporary situation will soon be a distant memory!
