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The Holiday Cleaning Checklist

If you are the one hosting a holiday party, then you might already be thinking about your holiday cleaning checklist. Keeping a home organized, much less clean, during the Christmas season can be very challenging. Especially if you have young ones running around and contributing to the mess. Some may even attempt to de-clutter their home before the end of the year to start off on the right foot. Either way, this checklist should get you moving in the right direction. This holiday cleaning checklist can help you get and stay organized, create a sparkling clean home in time for gatherings, or de-clutter your house before the year is up.

One Up and Two Down

Some holiday gifts can replace something you already own. Unfortunately, many times we forget to get rid of the item replaced. You end up with two coffee makers or five sets of pajamas. This year, when you get one item try getting rid of two. This will not only make sure you replace an item, it also helps you to de-clutter. If your child received new socks, find the old or outgrown ones and throw them out.

Not Everything has to go Up

Even an attic full of decorations doesn’t mean the house has to be full of decorations too. This year, especially if you are showing your home for sale, keep the decorations to a minimum. Keep some decorations put away and just use the minimal on both the inside and the outside.

Oosoujii

Oosoujii is a Japanese holiday dedicated to de-cluttering and cleaning the home. The last week of the year is spent focusing on the home. In Oosoujii, each year is seen as separate and distinct, the final week of the old year is devoted to cleaning, decluttering and organizing.

We hope these little tips get you moving in the right direction. There are many tasks you can add to your holiday cleaning checklist and these are only a few to get you started. We do home inspections all throughout the holiday season and you can make an appointment with us directly on our website.

Sources:

http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/cut-clutter-after-christmas

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How to Show your home during the Holiday Season

If you are showing your home during the holiday season it can be a little tricky. Between holiday decorations, parties, and deterring home theft, the holidays can make it all that much harder. Have no fear, we are here to help! Follow some of these tips to show your home during the holiday season and also have peace of mind.

Keep decorations to a minimum

If you love to saturate your home in decorations during the holidays, you will want to hold off on it. A lot of decorations can be overwhelming and distracting for any person interested in viewing your home. Decorating also means leaving out some of your potentially valuable stuff for grabs. Avoid all of this by decorating very little. You can even wait until a week before Christmas to stop showing the home, decorate, and enjoy the season. You still have control and what you do should be what works best for you.

Curb Appeal vs. Curb Safety

You may never have thought about it, but decorations can also be a hazard. This wire lines, extension chords, and decorations across your walk-way can actually be a tripping hazard. The last thing you want is someone who is viewing your home to trip over things as they walk in.

Selling during the Holiday Season

Many sites claim selling your home through the holiday is great timing! But this also means you need to have excellent pictures and videos of your home. As home-buyers start their process doing online searches, you will want your home’s pictures to stand out! Don’t skimp on this area. Make sure your home is immaculate before taking any pictures.

Comfy and Cozy

Have you ever stepped into a home that just feels cozy? The house makes you want to wrap up in a blanket and sit in front of the fireplace? This is the feeling you want to evoke, especially during the winter and holiday season. Light the fireplace, light some candles, bake some cookies, and decorate a Christmas tree. Create that comfy cozy feeling people will enjoy!

We hope this little tips help as you work your way through the holiday season. Don’t forget Divinity Inspections is still working too so give us a call when you are ready to schedule your pre-listing home inspection or your pre-purchasing home inspection!