What has clutter done for you lately? Chances are, nothing, and if you are getting ready to sell your home, then that clutter will only hinder the process. Spending too much time around clutter can make even an organized person lose sight of how much better the space could be. But honestly, who has time to sift through the buildup of belongings that homes always seem to accumulate? Enter, the professional organizer.Today we are talking with Suzanna Kaye, a professional organizer, speaker, and author. Suzanna walks us through the organization process and shares some of her favorite organizing tips. Welcome, Suzanna!

Client interaction actually starts with the first phone call. I do a needs assessment and evaluation on that call and we decide the best first step for them. More often than not it’s a one on one organizing session. At the beginning of the session we walk through the space and I ask a lot of questions. It’s my opportunity to learn about their lifestyle, personality type, goals for each room, specific challenges and to hear what is already working well for them. As soon as that’s finished the client and I have usually agreed on which area is best to start organizing and we dive right in. By the end of the first session there is a very noticeable change and if any further work is needed we create an action plan together. I love first sessions – I get the most hugs, thank yous and my clients always look radiant – like they have lost 50 pounds and are hopeful again.

My clients range from CEOs looking for someone to oversee a move while they are out of town to mothers who are struggling to maintain their daily needs. I specialize in move management (assisting with the local side of a move – overseeing movers, scheduling contractors, managing the unpack, etc.) as well as special organizing situations – chronic disorganization, ADD/ADHD & disabilities. They don’t need to have a lot of stuff, they just need to feel that their space isn’t working for their needs and want help.

Before the stager comes in. A seller can best use me with a client who has cabinets, garages and closets that are full. It helps to pack or purge the excess before the home is staged – making the space seem even bigger. I can reduce the amount of stuff in a house drastically to make it easier to show.

While a stager creates a pleasing feel with decorations, furniture placement and other visual details, I make spaces look larger by reducing the amount of stuff in them. A stager can’t make an overstuffed bedroom closet look bigger without the excess being removed first. I complement the work of the stager to make it more effective.

1. Before buying moving boxes or storage bins – purge and categorize your items. This will tell you what size container you will need so you don’t end up with insufficient storage.

2. Always look up when maximizing space. For example, adding a second shelf over the standard one shelf closet system can double your long term storage space.

3. Just get started. The hardest part about organizing is getting through the first 5 minutes. Once you are in the swing of it you realize it isn’t nearly as bad as you thought.Thanks Suzanna!

For more real estate tips, or to see some of our current listings, visit our website. I’m Beth Hobart, I’m one of the top Realtors in Florida, and I’m here to help.