Why Don't You Just Buy a New House?

My house is not the worst. I know this to be true because I am a Realtor and I've been in lots of houses. Some are much nicer and larger than mine. Some are so full of stuff that mine (at times) looks to be well-organized. Others are so organized that mine looks like hoarders live here. Honestly, though, it's a good house and a great home, but I don't know if it's where I want to retire.

When we bought this little 3-bedroom ranch with a partially finished basement, we had small children aged 8, 6, 4, and "one on the way." That was 13 years ago. Needless to say, I thought we'd live here a few years and then get something bigger. Now that college boy has graduated and landed back at home at least for the short term, something larger seems to be nearly a necessity. However, the house might just be perfect as we approach the empty nest phase in the not-too-distant future.

So, what is the point of this post if we're just planning to stay here? I have been trying to convince my housemates (spouse and children) that decluttering and then organizing will make the space more usable, it will help us be more focused and productive, and it will feel at least a little more spacious.

They aren't buying it. And I'm not buying a new house. Child 3 will be a high school senior next year and child 4 will be in 8th grade. I moved my senior year of high school and promised I would do whatever I could to avoid that scenario for my children. The soonest possible move is a year away.

As a Realtor, I advise clients to declutter as part of preparing their homes for sale. I'm trying to take my own advice in the event that we do sell next year, but I keep hitting road blocks that are mostly in my mind. I purged a lot of junk out of the garage in the past couple weeks, but still can't park in there. I get hung up on little things and turn in circles, accomplishing little. I keep thinking that I should hire someone to help me. Then I think, the children and my husband could certainly help me. But there's always a scheduling conflict or an excuse. No more excuses! 

This is my plan:

1. Finish garage decluttering this week!

When will the car move back into its house?

What is all this stuff?

2. Declutter laundry room, paint walls, replace shelving by end of July

One section of the wall got the white paint in 2012. Why didn't we finish? 

3. Encourage children to do their rooms by mid-August before the new school year
No photos!

4. Declutter, then re-envision the basement common space by the end of summer

Edge of workout space next to everything else. Not working well.

Not comfy.

Too dark for office/study space. Plus it's a mess.

My husband has a couple of days off this week and has agreed to help hang some tools in the garage and organize the shelves. The garage needs to be done so we can move on to the laundry room next.

I looked back and saw my garage project part one and part three, and the laundry room post that started this blog in 2012. My attitude was better then. Trying to recapture that enthusiasm and finally get the job done.

Let's go!