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Self storage facilities

Use a self-storage facility to store your possessions during the selling process

We all have too much clutter, but we somehow live with it in our daily lives. However, when you're selling your house and you want to sell it fast and for top dollar, removing as much clutter and excess furniture from the house as possible is an absolute necessity. But what do you do with all that stuff?

If you own a garage, that is probably your first thought. But what that does is really clutter up the garage and it detracts from the overall image. In fact, garages are a big selling point for men, much like a kitchen is for women.

The real solution is to store your valuables off-site, some place like a self-storage center.

Self storage units come in a variety of sizes and styles. Some are drive through a locked gate to access your garage. Others are completely inside. There are also storage options where the company brings a container to your house, you load it, call them up and they haul it away and store it in their facility.

Self-storage solutions

These establishments basically are providing you with a somewhat secure locked garage, usually with 24-hour surveillance. You can come and go from your garage anytime day or night.

The biggest advantage of these is that you can fill your garage whenever you want, and if you suddenly remember you need some item that has been stored, you can go and dig it out.

The biggest disadvantage is that you have to haul all of your stuff there. That means packing it up, trucking it to the facility, unloading it, and then reloading it when you're ready to move.

Container storage

Probably the most notable company is PODS. They drop off a container in your driveway. You carefully load up your container (you can take as long as you need to do this). Once you're done packing, you call the company and they come, pickup your storage unit and store it in a secure facility.

When you move, just call the company and they will deliver your container unit to your new house where you can unpack it.

The one problem with this solution is that if you happen to pack something up that you suddenly need, it becomes a bit of a hassle to retrieve it.

These units are much easier to load than renting a truck in that they are ground level-- no lifting or tailgates to maneuver around. These units typically come in 2 sizes.

Tips for packing your stuff
for maximum efficiency

• Use furniture drawers for delicate items and specially wrap and label them as "FRAGILE". Bubble wrap and packing paper are excellent for these purposes. Hang items on non-rusting hangers in special wardrobe boxes.

• When packing toys or smaller objects, remember to fill boxes completely, stuffing open areas with plain newspaper to prevent collapsing when stacked.

• Be careful not to store anything combustible, (such as paint and chemicals), or perishable, (such as food that is not permanently sealed).

• When storing lawn and garden equipment, drain any fluids prior to storage to avoid corrosive damage.

• Use trash cans to store shovels, hoes and rakes.

• When storing delicate heirlooms, use specially constructed boxes, such as wardrobe boxes, and utilize dehumidifiers to prevent mildew build up. Remember to label these boxes "FRAGILE".

• Wrap pictures that are small and stand them on end in boxes.

• For larger ones, buy special picture moving boxes.

• Always store mirrors or framed pieces on end, not flat.

• Store furniture carefully on boards or pallets.

• Mattresses should be covered and stored flat on level surfaces.

• Larger appliances, such as stoves or refrigerators, provide additional space for storing towels, blankets, etc. Leave doors opened slightly, to prevent mildew.

• Break down items such as table legs, and store tabletops and sofas on end, to save space.

• Use protective covers and treat wood surfaces before storing.

• When storing lots of small items in a box, label all boxes with the contents and in a location that they can be easily seen and accessible.

• Pack lighter boxes on top of heavier ones.