Moving / packing up stuff to declutter and for photos -so bloody stressful

[MsKeats]

I'm a week in -last weekend moved everything out of the bedrooms and I mean everything -to have new carpet down -the kids room stuff is now back in as of today and two of the bedroom are now in a fit state to be a "show bedroom" for photos. The study and playroom and half packed / decluttered and will be done tomorrow -as will the huge lounge be done.
Already 50 boxes in the garage -oh my god the difference -but equally the flipping stress of it. Seriously we have been here for 15 years and the DC like most DC are hoarders and liked to keep every stone etc -as we thought this would be the forever house I wasn't that worried really. But now we are putting it on the market -bugger me I'm stressed. Want to get it on by November as we are moving end of December. 3 trips to the tip today alone.

After two weekends of 7am to 7pm I can't sleep I'm up at 3am and my heart is pounding -the stress is stupid. Never been so bloody stressed in all my life.

PLease tell me it is doable -I've taken the week off work to get it ready for photos. My bedroom, study, playroom, kitchen, conservatory etc all to do -have friends coming to help tomorrow. Please tell me it will be ok and is doable!! MS K x

Wow, you've done so well already! Obviously I don't know how much you've got to do, but sounds like you are really cracking on with it and determined so I'm sure you'll get it done.

Take each room one at a time, and try to look subjectively at the rooms to see it through a buyers eyes - your friends will be good at this as they're not emotionally connected to the house and belongings like you are. It doesn't need to be a perfect show room, just neat & tidy and most importantly look well looked after.

One tip I would give you is to put things you need in your room but don't want necessarily in the photos in a box (eg box of tissues, bathroom cleaning products, sanitary products, kids favourite toys, school bags etc.) You can put them back in the room after the photos and then put them back in the box when you have viewings and so on.

And also, think of the positives - you've cleared loads so less to pack and sort when you do move and less to tidy up before viewings!

I know -it's just feels very lonely at the moment. Single parent, 3 kids to move and find schools for. We have somewhere to live (staying with family) and a new job to start. It's all a bit FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF at the moment, I was starting to get a bit manic today and this afternoon so we stopped and went out. Most of the clutter is boxed now -it just needs to go in the garage now so it's out of the way.

It is doable and you have already done a lot. Don't worry. Decluttering before photos is a brilliant start. It makes it easier to keep clean, and means there is less to tidy away for viewings. And as PP said, take 1 room at a time.

I am a bit further ahead than you, had photos, having viewings but not sold yet. I have found you'll have 3 types of tidy.

Type 1 is how your house usually is but less cluttered.

Type 2 is your house perfectly polished for photos - so no toiletries in the bathroom, toilet brush hidden, bit and pieces you don't want in the photos hidden away (for us it was things like changing mats, clothes airer, shoe rack, majority of the big toys removed).

Type 3 is viewing ready - so you'll probably leave a few things out that you removed from photos but don't mind being out for viewings. The rest you need to hide away. So when you are decluttering make empty space in your wardrobes/drawers. Then when it is viewing time, you can quickly throw things in these empty spaces. If you are struggling for space have a box handy to fill and then chuck that in your car. I have a basket in my room to chuck those little bits and pieces that gets shoved in my wardrobe, and a couple of empty shelves in the wardrobe in the 3rd bedroom to chuck bathroom stuff. Kitchen stuff gets shoved in the cupboard under the stairs. Due to covid viewers are not allowed to open and cupboards or wardrobes, even fitted ones which makes hiding things easier.

It is doable @MsKeats - you are obviously doing well. My worst moment ( clearing out PILs house for probate ) was when I realised one day wasn't going to do it even with clearing people's help & I ended up in a fairly empty ( except attic ) cold house & had to book myself a hotel room so that I could come back the next day to attack garage / shed attic / under stairs cupboards etc. Some years on I am still here and happy. to you - it will be over and then you will forget

I feel your pain MsK. We had a vague plan to move, foolishly started looking to get a feel for the market, ended up falling in love with a place, put in a cheeky offer which was accepted last week. Every minute since has been decluttering, repainting, housework or trips to tip/B&Q/IKEA etc. We signed with an EA today. They lined up viewers within minutes, although I managed to stall them til Tuesday.
Like you, I can't sleep, am stressed out my mind and can think of nothing but ever increasing to do lists. It'll be over soon though. We can do this together.

It’s worth it. Your house will sell quicker and for more money if it’s decluttered , in good decorative order and styled.

I only go through it by writing lots of lists and ticking them off as I went. Good luck!

It is so stressful but you've done so much! Get the house sorted and then before you move I would go through all the boxes and sort them out. I've been packing and decluttering for months! But by doing so I wont have lots of boxes to move and pay for

Keep decluttering and being ruthless, we’ve made £600 at 3 car boot sales so far. I’ve probably got another 2 car boots to go!

Some stuff we’ve just sent to charity, two full car loads

Then 5 tip loads, booking for every day if the week!

I bet 80 % of the boxes in your garage you won’t miss and could leave packed for a year

I've done two trips to the skip -fortunately a huge empty garage and no crap in the loft -so yes, just box it all up in the garage. Because we are leaving in 4-8 weeks maximum -possibly 4 weeks -I have a house sitter coming who will live here and employ a cleaner x 2 a week until it sells and to tidy / clean before a viewing.

Around here it is a nice area. Lovely village and you are getting a hell of a house for the money -huge plot 5 bedroom house -massive drive. Detatched garage etc and it is white inside and light and airy but the size of the kitchen is amazing - we have a table, a piano, 10 bookcases etc, sofa etc and you just don't get that anywhere else round here -it was a one off build.

The animals are staying whilst we move and I'll even throw in the hot tub.

Because we are going to buying a 3 bed semi in a much more expensive area but finally be home. I cry everytime I think about it.

Very emotional. Just got to plough or is it plow? can't do spelling right now as too ill, on today and tomorrow and then get cleaner in before photos on Wednesday. Want photos wednesday and then on the market by the weekend and any potential lock down.