Selling a home while living with kids?

We're listing my house soon but I have toys everywhere! My LR looks like a tornado hit Frozen. Where do I put it all during showings and the Open House?

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

Storage unit, with family, garage, basement.

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

We bought our house from a family that had 2 kids. They got rid of the bigger items that the kids weren't playing with (ie: the boys were older so they stored the play kitchen and foam mats out of the house and in the attic).

The other toys were packed neatly into storage boxes, toy chests, etc. It didn't detract from the house at all since it was all very neat. Hopefully your house sells quickly and you won't have to upkeep this very long.

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

It's hard to sell with kids. We asked my parents to keep a lot of their bigger toys like the play kitchen, train table, work bench, FP learn & play house this way the kids were still able to play with them over there. I boxed up most of their other toys as well as our own clutter & rented a storage unit.
But honestly, when we were looking at houses to purchase, other people's kid's toys did not bother me at all. Just make sure the house itself is clean- you'll be fine.

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

A family member did this recently. She sold a bunch of items. She brought items to her parents and she rented a storage unit. House went up for sale in June and closing was in October. Luckily she did not have to clean for too long.

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

Maybe it's just me, but I really wouldn't be bothered by seeing some toys out.

I'm not entirely discrediting this suggestion, but I've always been slightly confused by the idea of de-personalizing the house. When I'm looking at a house, it's not as though I think I'm buying the family's personal effects.

Re: Selling a home while living with kids?

I don't think you need to keep all toys out of view, but I do think it helps to corral them into one or two areas, versus having them spill over into every room.

A basement play room is a good idea, if there's a basement (but in your case I think not).

Without a basement, I would recommend keeping the toys in the kids' rooms, to the extent possible. Buyers tend to see kids' bedrooms as "kid zones" -- so kid-friendly décor and toys being on display (in an orderly way), gives the home a welcoming vibe for young families or people who plan to start families in the house. I would try to limit the toys in the living room, dining room, etc, so those spaces can be more readily seen as places for adults to relax, entertain, etc.

I do agree with packing up some less played with items to be stored in bins in a garage or at a family members' home. If there are lots of toys, think about storage spaces you may already have and not be utilizing (under beds, in media/entertainment cabinets, closets). Also think about adding inexpensive storage that looks like décor...I've seen storage ottomans at Target for $50-75 dollars, that can be placed in an entry way or used in a living space as a coffee table or extra seating, and toys can be hidden inside. Or, there are cute fabric bins (sold in places like Home Goods) that can be placed in kids rooms to hold lots of loose items (such as art supplies, toy cars, dolls, etc.).

I think the key is to try to keep spaces defined and not have the toys taking over the house. So a play room or a basement or a kids' room is a fine place to have visible toys. But just try to avoid a cluttered look that could signify lack of space/storage, especially in a smaller house.

Hope this helps!