You never realize how much stuff you've accumulated over the years, until you're trying to pack it up to move. Our real estate agents can help you sell your home, but all that extra stuff is making the process more difficult than it needs to be. Putting some things in storage could be the perfect solution. Here are some considerations when selecting a storage unit during the moving process.

• Necessity. The first step when selling your home is decluttering. Think about the things you own that you don't use regularly. You probably won't need a lot of your belongings between now and when you move into your new space. This can include things like your winter clothes during summer (or vice versa), sports equipment, small appliances like an air fryer or pressure cooker, or even extra furniture. You don't want to throw these things away, but you do need them out of the way. Putting certain things into storage now means getting a jump start on the moving process later.
  
  
• Staging. Making your home look good to potential buyers means removing many of the "personal touches" in your decor—things like family photos, knickknacks, artwork, area rugs, your kids' toys, etc. Getting rid of these things helps people project their own personality onto your home rather than seeing yours. This, in turn, makes them more likely to want to buy. Putting those personal items into storage makes your home look cleaner and puts it in a better light for staging.
  
  
• Safety and Security. If you have jewelry, antiques, or other valuables around the house, you might not want them on hand while you're inviting strangers into your home. Hiding these things on a little-used shelf during open houses may not be secure enough, and if they're too out of the way, you could end up forgetting about them when you move. Putting your valuables into storage lets you keep them safe during the selling process. This also goes for anything of sentimental value, particularly fragile items. Things often get broken during moving, so if there's anything you're afraid of losing, pack it up and store it before you start the process.
  
  
• Distance. How far away are you moving? If you're staying in the same general area, you can rent a local storage unit near St. Louis homes for sale to get your stuff out of the way while still maintaining easy access. If you're moving to a new city, consider having a portable storage unit delivered to your house. You can then pack it up at your own pace and have it shipped to your new home or put into storage in your new location.
  
  
• Convenience vs. Cost. If you plan to leave some things in storage even after you move, it's worthwhile to shop around and find the cheapest facility, even if it's a bit further from your home. It may be more hassle to get there, but if you don't intend to use it very often, the money you save can make up for it. On the other hand, if your goal is to eliminate hassle, consider a full-service storage company. For a higher price tag, they'll pack up your belongings for you, store them for as long as you need, and deliver them to your new home whenever you're ready.

If you need help navigating the ins and outs of selling your home and moving to a new space, contact us. We'll help you get your home off the market quickly, for a great price and as little hassle as possible.