The Garage: Storage or Mess?

When putting homes on the market, many people fail to prepare one room in their home. While not technically a "room" as such, the garage is a part of the home that is often overlooked....by sellers. Chances are that if you have been in your home for many years, you have collected a fair amount of "stuff." Where does most of this surplus "stuff" end up? You guessed it, in the garage.

For most people the garage is a holding pen for years of accumulated clutter. Now this may not seem like a big deal, but when selling a home clutter can be a big problem. If you are one of those people that tend to be a bit of a pack-rat then cleaning out your garage will be a good project to undertake. Don't forget that when your home is viewed, every room including the garage will be under scrutiny. Maybe its time to sort through the stuff and decide what is worth keeping.

Another aspect that is commonly overlooked in garages is the general condition of the garage itself. Dingy walls and stained floors take away from the overall aesthetic quality of the home and buyers will notice this. Give the garage a coat of paint, or if you are really up to the task there are some amazing garage organization systems that improve the look and organization of garages a thousand fold. Prospective buyers will appreciate the added attention to the overall cleanliness of the home.

M Shane is a member of the REW Writers Team. A collective publication network facilitated by Real Estate Webmasters. Each article is contributed by a member of our real estate community. This particular article was submitted on behalf of Smith Bowden Real Estate, a Madison, Wisconsin real estate consulting firm & brokerage.