Feeling surrounded by clutter? If so, you are definitely not alone. Statistics show that more than one-fourth of Americans think their home is considered somewhat cluttered.

If you have considered selling your home, managing the look and feel of your home is one of the best ways to maximize your chances of selling quickly and getting the most amount of money. Decluttering also makes your home appear more spacious, and gives potential buyers the ability to visualize the home as "their home."

Use these steps to get the clutter-clearing started:

• Set A Schedule.
  Take a look at your calendar. Don't try to fit the whole process into one or two days; start small. Cut out 20 minutes at a time if that is what will work for you, but purposefully set aside time specifically for decluttering.Determining a deadline can help motivate. Plan to be have one specific room done in one week, or plan an overall deadline for the whole house. Decide what works best for you, and stick to it!

• Move Room By Room.
  Looking at the entire house can be overwhelming, so take it one room at a time, one area at a time. There are most likely more troubling spots, like closets, desks, or cabinets. Tackle those first. Move steadily through each room until you're done.

• Make Three Piles.
  As you are filtering through things, make three piles: a keep, get rid of, and maybe pile. Once you've finished each area, put back the things you have decided to keep in an organized manner. Place the maybe pile in boxes to be stowed until you have time to decide whether you really need them or not. As for the get rid of pile, take care of that right away before you change your mind!

• Get It Out Quickly.
  The key to cleaning out is to remove things as they come up! Have a plan – donate, trash, or sell. Set aside time each week to post items to sell online, take a trip to the dump, or drop off donations at the thrift shop.  The longer you keep it around, the more likely you are to - keep it around.

• Learn To Let Go.
  One of the most difficult things can be to let go of stuff that you have determined sentimental or nostalgic. You also may be saving it for when you "need" it.  Determine the motivation behind the desire to hold on.  Letting go can bring joy and a sense of relief, so it is worth the effort.
  
  

 Decluttering Before You Sell Your Home

Not only will decluttering help to prepare your home for showings, it also means less to move, and it gives a mental boost. Decluttering gets you in the mindset to embrace a new setting, which could be a new home!