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Nicole Fergesen

December 27, 2016

Selling Your Home When You Have Young Children

Now that our home is under contract (see the post here!), I figured I would share some things that made prepping and selling our home sale a little easier. We have three kids under four and no family near us, so we didn’t have any help when it came to prepping the home or having a place to go during showings. But some points may apply to you, even if you don’t have kids! Here’s what worked for us and helped it go a little easier:

Get Rid of the Clutter

The biggest piece of advice I could give would be to streamline. It is so easy to have the toys and clutter build up. When you are thinking of selling your home, make it easier on yourself and start paring down. We donated, purged, and put in storage anything that cluttered our home. The kids’ kitchenette went into storage. We traded our amazing king size bed for our guest room’s queen size to make our room appear bigger. 80% of the kids’ toys either went into storage or into bins in the basement. This made showing the home SO much easier! AND the kids didn’t even notice. I wasn’t running around like a crazy lady before showings cleaning up toys (have you seen this video? Definition of me. Hilarious.). I mean, I definitely was running around crazy. But toys weren’t the problem! We had a few small baskets of toys in the living room and the rest in the basement (now playroom).

Depersonalize

Most people have a hard time imagining themselves in a new home.  If you have pictures of you and your family all around, it makes it even harder. As sad as it made me to take down all our family photos and snapshots of our kids, it helped the buyer envision entertaining in the living room, not focus on the pictures of our family. We tried to keep our decorating and style very simple. Same as with the family pictures; you don’t want the potential buyer to focus on your decorating sense, you want them to focus on the potential of the room. So if you are a collector or have a very strong sense of decorating, put it in storage. Simplify. It is only for a short time!

Repair Any Issues

If you’ve been putting off repairing a small issue with your home, do yourself a favor and do it before you list. I am talking small things, like repairing a trim piece or ice maker, not a major renovation. Repair little things that may be a distraction for the buyer or make them question the condition of your home. Being a stay at home mom, I was able to schedule contractors to come do repairs during the week. But if you are a home where both of you work, keep in mind it may take longer to organize repairs around your work schedule.

Remove Anything You Aren’t Leaving

Are you obsessed with a certain light fixture? Are you really attached to the curtains you put in your baby’s room? Take them down before you list. Anything that is affixed to the wall is generally included with the sale of your home. To make things easier, take it down before you have pictures taken of your home. They can’t ask for something they haven’t seen! You can replace them with inexpensive versions that will still be appealing. You can specify you aren’t leaving certain items (washer/dryer, kitchen appliances, etc.), but in general replacing them before you list your home makes the process a whole lot easier.

Plan Way Ahead

Every real estate market is different. Your home may be on the market for two days, or nearly a year. It really depends on so many different factors. I would recommend giving yourself an extended timeframe. If you would like to sell your home by a certain date, put your home on the market a couple months earlier than you think necessary. During negotiations you may be able to push your closing date further out if you need more time. It is better to have more time on your hands than to be scrambling and stressed if your home isn’t selling! Thankfully we were in no rush to sell our home and planned to move in with my parents for a bit after we sold. But I know not everyone has that same situation!

Are you planning on moving this year? Or have you purchased recdently? Share your experience below and what you did to prep your home!

Did you miss the first post? Click here to see our moving announcement!

 

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Posted In: Babies, Home Decor, Uncategorized · Tagged: connecticut, CT, home sale, home selling, kids, real estate, realtor, selling your home, young children

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Hey There!

About Me
I am Nicole Fergesen, mama to four, new Iowan and part time New Hampshire girl. I believe in Jesus, live on coffee, and love functional fashion. I also dabble in home design and relentlessly find beauty in everything. Wife to Dustin, widow of Marcus, blending a family and finding grace in the journey.

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nicolefergesen

You woke up today. You, yes YOU, have a purpose. You woke up today. 
You, yes YOU, have a purpose. There’s a reason you’re here. There is a reason you have breath in your lungs and your heart continues to beat. No matter what you encounter today, know that God has a plan and you are a part of it. And when it feels hard, fight harder. Continue to discover that purpose and feel empowered in your life. Everything you need to succeed is already inside you, designed perfectly and given by God.

Keep breathing. Keep achieving that purpose. The world needs exactly who you were created to be. Believe it! 
http://liketk.it/39DMt #liketkit @liketoknow.it #keepgoing #yougotthis #keepbreathing #keepmovingforward #inspire #motivateme #godsplan #purpose #findyourpurpose #godisgood #lifejourney @elegantees
Work on the weekend surprise room makeover for E2 Work on the weekend surprise room makeover for E2 has begun! When we first got married Elliott and Eloise shared a room, but when we moved into our new house we gave Elliott her own space temporarily. Now that we are about four months out from baby, it is time to start on the nursery and get the two E’s back together! So to make the transition fun and exciting, we are surprising them for Elliott’s birthday with a whole room makeover 🤫🎉 we’re sharing the before (oh the paint 😫) and our plans in my stories if you want to follow along! Let’s see if we can pull it all off this weekend... 

#girlbedroom #sharedbedroom #surprise #bedroommakeover #homerenovation #beforeandafter #blendedfamily #homesweethome #renovation
We heard the heartbeat again today 😍 there’s We heard the heartbeat again today 😍 there’s nothing more miraculous and humbling than the creation of life. It’s such a precious gift from God! I can’t believe we are almost halfway there... and we haven’t thought about a single thing to buy for the baby 😅 we need to get on that since we don’t have anything anymore! AND we find out the gender in two weeks 🎉 
I’m bad about sharing updates on my actual feed so I’m trying to get better about that 🤣 We are working on a secret super fast weekend bedroom makeover for the E2 room, so make sure you keep watch on my stories! And our bigger renovation projects start in about two weeks 😱 All the things!! 
http://liketk.it/3915D photo by @bekahlee33 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #bonusbaby #heartbeat #partyofseven #bigfamily #blendedfamily #bump #midwestliving #iowalife #baby #genderreveal #happylife #godisgood #homerenovation #renovation #home
Life's so unpredictable And things might not be go Life's so unpredictable
And things might not be goin' my way
But it's gonna be a good day
Though things are goin' sideways
I got a smile on my face
And nothing's gonna bring me down
'Cause I know
Whatever happens, He knows
He'll never leave me alone 
I'll be okay
And it's gonna be a good day

Good Day by @strivetobe 

Our new school commute party song! Let’s have an amazing day everyone! 

Shop similar outfit here: http://liketk.it/38W1F Photo by @bekahlee33  #smile #happy #goodlife #positivevibes #positivelife #itsagoodday #ighappy #getit #liketkit @liketoknow.it #carparty #godsgotthis #heisable #motivateme #midwestliving #iowalife
Life is crazy, hard, chaotic, and messy. And there Life is crazy, hard, chaotic, and messy. And there’s no one in the world I’d rather do it with. Love you @dfergesen. 

Photo by @bekahlee33 #beautyinthechaos #embracethejourney #blended #lifeisgood #loveyou #secondchance #midwestliving #transplant #beautyforashes
When you see dad for the first time (since that mo When you see dad for the first time (since that morning) 🥰 #kidpile #handsfullheartfull
We are dedicated to raising good humans in our hou We are dedicated to raising good humans in our house. That means lots of time devoted to explaining what it means to have good character and how to be intentional with our choices and thoughts. @crafting_character was so kind of gift us the Grateful Gobbler, one of many award winning character developing systems for children. I was pleasantly surprised at the kids’ excitement and attention to the stuffed animal, book, and activity prompts. We are a few days into our activity but I can see a difference in their perception already, changing their mindset to gratefulness for even the smallest things. That makes me so proud as a mom! It’s also been a good reminder for me to slow down and look for all the blessings in our lives. Sometimes things get so fast and hard we forget how good we really have it! I encourage you to check out all the character traits at @crafting_character and begin the process of instilling solid character in your children. Check out some of our behind the scenes in my stories 😆

#craftingcharacterseries #raisinggoodhumans #characterbuilding #raisingarrows #fun #values #character #kidswithcharacter #grateful #gratefulhearts
Always and forever, Valentine. I couldn’t be mor Always and forever, Valentine. I couldn’t be more thankful for you, my best friend, amazing husband, and fantastic father. Love you more and more every day ❤️ 
@dfergesen
Valentine’s Day is almost here! It’s a wonderf Valentine’s Day is almost here! It’s a wonderful day to celebrate ❤️love❤️, but also a bitter reminder for those who are single. I want to encourage you to remember those who are widowed and mourning their partner, or those who are single and grieving the lack of a relationship. I wrote some ways you can make those single people feel seen and special on a day they’re probably feeling lonely and sad (check it out through the link in my profile). I challenge you to choose one or two single people in your life to bless on this holiday and fill their day with love too ❤️ http://liketk.it/389TG #liketkit @liketoknow.it #valentinesday #valentine #valentines #youngwidow #singlesday #youareloved #youarenotalone @neveralonewidows #neveralone #loveyou #grieving #griefjourney #celebratelove
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nicolefergesen

You woke up today. You, yes YOU, have a purpose. You woke up today. 
You, yes YOU, have a purpose. There’s a reason you’re here. There is a reason you have breath in your lungs and your heart continues to beat. No matter what you encounter today, know that God has a plan and you are a part of it. And when it feels hard, fight harder. Continue to discover that purpose and feel empowered in your life. Everything you need to succeed is already inside you, designed perfectly and given by God.

Keep breathing. Keep achieving that purpose. The world needs exactly who you were created to be. Believe it! 
http://liketk.it/39DMt #liketkit @liketoknow.it #keepgoing #yougotthis #keepbreathing #keepmovingforward #inspire #motivateme #godsplan #purpose #findyourpurpose #godisgood #lifejourney @elegantees
Work on the weekend surprise room makeover for E2 Work on the weekend surprise room makeover for E2 has begun! When we first got married Elliott and Eloise shared a room, but when we moved into our new house we gave Elliott her own space temporarily. Now that we are about four months out from baby, it is time to start on the nursery and get the two E’s back together! So to make the transition fun and exciting, we are surprising them for Elliott’s birthday with a whole room makeover 🤫🎉 we’re sharing the before (oh the paint 😫) and our plans in my stories if you want to follow along! Let’s see if we can pull it all off this weekend... 

#girlbedroom #sharedbedroom #surprise #bedroommakeover #homerenovation #beforeandafter #blendedfamily #homesweethome #renovation
We heard the heartbeat again today 😍 there’s We heard the heartbeat again today 😍 there’s nothing more miraculous and humbling than the creation of life. It’s such a precious gift from God! I can’t believe we are almost halfway there... and we haven’t thought about a single thing to buy for the baby 😅 we need to get on that since we don’t have anything anymore! AND we find out the gender in two weeks 🎉 
I’m bad about sharing updates on my actual feed so I’m trying to get better about that 🤣 We are working on a secret super fast weekend bedroom makeover for the E2 room, so make sure you keep watch on my stories! And our bigger renovation projects start in about two weeks 😱 All the things!! 
http://liketk.it/3915D photo by @bekahlee33 #liketkit @liketoknow.it #bonusbaby #heartbeat #partyofseven #bigfamily #blendedfamily #bump #midwestliving #iowalife #baby #genderreveal #happylife #godisgood #homerenovation #renovation #home
Life's so unpredictable And things might not be go Life's so unpredictable
And things might not be goin' my way
But it's gonna be a good day
Though things are goin' sideways
I got a smile on my face
And nothing's gonna bring me down
'Cause I know
Whatever happens, He knows
He'll never leave me alone 
I'll be okay
And it's gonna be a good day

Good Day by @strivetobe 

Our new school commute party song! Let’s have an amazing day everyone! 

Shop similar outfit here: http://liketk.it/38W1F Photo by @bekahlee33  #smile #happy #goodlife #positivevibes #positivelife #itsagoodday #ighappy #getit #liketkit @liketoknow.it #carparty #godsgotthis #heisable #motivateme #midwestliving #iowalife
Life is crazy, hard, chaotic, and messy. And there Life is crazy, hard, chaotic, and messy. And there’s no one in the world I’d rather do it with. Love you @dfergesen. 

Photo by @bekahlee33 #beautyinthechaos #embracethejourney #blended #lifeisgood #loveyou #secondchance #midwestliving #transplant #beautyforashes
When you see dad for the first time (since that mo When you see dad for the first time (since that morning) 🥰 #kidpile #handsfullheartfull
We are dedicated to raising good humans in our hou We are dedicated to raising good humans in our house. That means lots of time devoted to explaining what it means to have good character and how to be intentional with our choices and thoughts. @crafting_character was so kind of gift us the Grateful Gobbler, one of many award winning character developing systems for children. I was pleasantly surprised at the kids’ excitement and attention to the stuffed animal, book, and activity prompts. We are a few days into our activity but I can see a difference in their perception already, changing their mindset to gratefulness for even the smallest things. That makes me so proud as a mom! It’s also been a good reminder for me to slow down and look for all the blessings in our lives. Sometimes things get so fast and hard we forget how good we really have it! I encourage you to check out all the character traits at @crafting_character and begin the process of instilling solid character in your children. Check out some of our behind the scenes in my stories 😆

#craftingcharacterseries #raisinggoodhumans #characterbuilding #raisingarrows #fun #values #character #kidswithcharacter #grateful #gratefulhearts
Always and forever, Valentine. I couldn’t be mor Always and forever, Valentine. I couldn’t be more thankful for you, my best friend, amazing husband, and fantastic father. Love you more and more every day ❤️ 
@dfergesen
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