Don’t have time to move house!

[Neverbeentothegym]

Single parent of two. I’m trying desperately to get things together to put house on the market, but it just feels a long slog! I have very little money to ‘throw at it’. I’ve been trying to declutter but it just gets so messy again. Even things like painting the odd wall, I just can’t find time to do it around work and other commitments. Feel really fed up as I spent ages putting up these covers to try to make one feature of the house look better, came in yesterday and they’ve all fallen down.
I just don’t see how we are going to keep the house together even for viewings or pictures!
Don’t really know what I need from this, just wanted go moan. Any success stories?

Declutter declutter declutter
clean clean clean

and that’s it.

Get it good enough for pictures then just do your best for viewings. If someone wants your house and is willing to pay the price it's on for they are not going to decide not to because there are some toys on the floor.

Do you need to move?

Could you just wait until you have more time?

Maybe you're putting too much pressure on yourself. Houses don't need to be like show homes, just de-cluttering and a good clean can be enough.

Everything being up together will help it seem more desirable but things like location and room sizes, layout etc are much more important.

Focus on the decluttering as that will be more worthwhile than a painted wall. Set aside 30 mins each day to do it and it will soon add up.

What do you mean by covers?

Not sure what you mean by covers, but maybe we can advise on what’s best to hold them in place if you can clarify.
agree with PP - declutter and be ruthless with it. If your DC are old enough, get them involved. Get anything that sells well (LEGO, playmobil, etc) on gumtree for a few quid and let them keep their proceeds. That usually motivates my two to have a good clear out. Don’t be tempted to try and sell everything though, or you end up with piles of stuff sitting about the place. Charity shop for everything else. Once you’ve had a clear out then have a good look at what needs decorating, or simply cleaned up.

I know you can't throw money at it, but the best thing I ever did was contact a local (versatile) cleaning company and asked them to do me a "special". I said I didn't need a thorough clean, I just needed it "right-move-ready" and did they have anyone? They were great, came in, made it look beautiful for one day for the estate agent photos and I tried to keep on top of it for the viewings. It was a game changer and we sold in 8 days so it didn't have time to revert back to normal!

I'm disabled so probably equal to you in terms of time/ability. Declutter and clean are the two biggest things you can do so focus on them. Depending on how old your children are they can help with keeping it tidy once you've provided "a place for everything" whether it's toys, clothes or dishes. Only then do you look at painting a wall. Too overwhelming otherwise.

Good luck OP, a house move is up there with bereavement and divorce in terms of stress.

I just find selling takes ages! No one turns up, or they want delivery or something. It’s easier to just take it all to charity or give it away.

@HerNameIsDebbiethanks, I think that’s a good shout. If I declutter enough, I will definitely pay for a clean

Don’t sell.

for the moment your priority is getting it out of the house. So charity shop, or if needed storage unit.

What covers did you put on though? How do are your kids?

YANBU, it's really hard fitting in house moving prep with the day to day of young children especially because you're actively living in the same space you're trying to make beautiful.
Is it worth checking that your goals for the photos are realistic i.e. it doesn't need to be a show-home, on the photo day if there's a basket in each room you can sweep clutter into temporarily would that suffice?

They’re glass protective covers on some window which opaque the glass slightly as there’s some unsightly views and condensation.

It is so stressful. I framed it as even doing a little bit at a time is better than nothing. The good news is you've got some time so you could have a goal to get it ready by the new year?

I agree with decluttering first. Unless it's something of value give it away. Decluttering is a process (I'm still doing it!). I gave our excess away via FB pages (and I met some lovely people who gave me little things like cake in return!), charity and a skip (and neighbours took a lot from it which was great). When I helped my friend we just put things on his drive and it all went.

Go through each cupboard and get rid of anything that you don't use, need or is out of date. Your DC might be able to help?

Once it's all gone it will be easier to clean. Then you are photo ready!

@user1471538283 I don’t have time though. I have to be out by Christmas

Oh I see. It's still doable. Can you take anytime off work and whilst the DC are at school do lots?

I'd go through each room and turn try and give it away on your local FB page or the main marketplace page. The key is to get it out of the house. If you've got a spare room you could box some things you are taking with you so the other rooms look more empty.

If you are really time pressed I don't think permanent decluttering is a priority.

Although it is super helpful to do this before you move it is not absolutely critical path to selling. You do not need to be living in the "move in" version of your home until it sells.

Think of it as time slots where the house needs to look presentable enough to have guests round.

So for photo day, get some help round for lifting etc. Tidy everywhere and any obvious/unsightly stains etc ideally covered (pictures, rugs, cushions etc). Do think about staging e.g. moving any excess furniture out of the room. Any clutter can be shoved in a box and moved out while photo is taken.

For viewings, move the boxes of clutter out - car, neighbour, friends home. If you can, also temporarily move out any excess furniture.

It doesn't need to be deep cleaned for viewings. People are not going to be inspecting your skirting boards.

Good luck!

Could you short term afford a small rental unit? That's what I did. Dump EVERYTHING in there and clean, you might only need it for a few months. Bonus points if it's near a donation centre or tip so when you come to empty it you can get rid of anything you've not needed for a few months.

You'll be very lucky to get on the market, find a buyer, then exchange and complete before Christmas.

Are you going into rented? Why the rush?

Window film won't adhere to glass if it's damp with condensation. I'm guessing you have mold if you have condensation. Stop drying washing indoors!

You need to sell and move out by Xmas? You know that's all but impossible unless you have one hell of a fast cash buyer, no chain and unusually excellent conveyancing?