Helpful Tips to Declutter Your Home

How to Declutter Your Home
Preparing your home to sell requires presenting a house attractive to buyers. Decluttering is a must, especially if you’re going to be living in the home while it’s on the market and you’re choosing not to stage it. Decluttering will help you potentially sell your home faster and for a better price. It can feel overwhelming initially, but the decluttering process can be broken down into manageable steps.
1. Take photos of what you’re up against. You might think things look pretty good until you see your home with the camera’s unflinching eye. Photograph every room from multiple angles, and you’ll begin to understand what buyers will see. Don’t forget to snap the closets, laundry rooms, and garage.
2. Plan a room-by-room attack. The preparation process doesn’t have to be done in a day, a weekend, or even a week. Depending on your timeline, tackle as much or as little as you can reasonably manage before burning out. If you attempt too much at once, you may make unfortunate compromises about what stays and what goes.
3. Use a checklist. When assessing a room, list what needs to be addressed and then the order in which it makes the most sense to do it. Visualizing the process will prevent you from wasting time.
4. Be ruthless. Look at the clothes you haven’t worn in years, the piles and boxes in the garage you haven’t opened, and the shelves of unread or dispensable books.
5. Stay motivated. Tell yourself: Less is more. Remind yourself: Every box that goes to Goodwill is a box you won’t have to lift, relocate, and unpack on moving day. The filtering process is an opportunity to refresh your life!
6. Pile it up. Sort things into “give away,” “throw away,” and “sell.” Some items can go to friends, and others can go to charity.
High-Traffic Areas
Once decluttering is underway, here are some tips on what to focus on in the high-traffic areas of your home:
Front Yard: When you are preparing to sell, it is easy to forget your home’s outside curb appeal. If you have children, remember to organize and declutter the outdoor toys.
Entryway: The first impression of the inside of your home will be your entryway. Our entryway in my house is where we hang our coats and take off our shoes. If your entryway is the same way, go through your shoes and coats, and make space for potential buyers to hang their jackets when touring your home.
Pictures: For potential buyers, declutter the artwork, photographs, and hanging hooks, especially in hallways. Fewer items will create a clean, crisp look.
Kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and laundry room: I’ve categorized these rooms together because they all have a similar decluttering tip. The motto is ‘clean and clear.’ For the living room, remove magazines and excessive pillows and organize bookshelves. For the kitchen and bathroom, keep the countertops empty and clear. Lastly, all cleaning products for the laundry room should be put away to create a clean space.
I hope this helps you with the decluttering process. Once you’re decluttered and ready to sell, contact me! (928) 277-6404
Horse Properties in Prescott

Are you looking for a place to live with your horses in Prescott, Arizona? You are in luck; there are numerous horse-friendly communities in our beautiful area. After you look at the list below, give me a call, I would love to help you find a home for you and your horse. Mary Tarrant (928) 277-6404
- Granite Oaks: Granite Oaks in Prescott, Arizona, is located at the base of the Granite Mountain in the Williamson Valley corridor, near Williamson Valley Road and Bard Ranch Road. The subdivision of upscale custom homes borders the state land and has access to acres and acres of endless riding and hiking trails. The home sites range in size from 1 to 3 acres offering lots of privacy and horse privileges. Being able to enjoy country living while only a few miles from downtown Prescott is one of many reasons people fall in love with Granite Oaks.
- American Ranch: American Ranch is a prestigious community located just a few miles north of Prescott in the Williamson Valley corridor. This popular World Class Master Planned Equestrian Community neighbors the Prescott National Forest. There are approximately 240 homesites in American Ranch. Homes are custom built, taking advantage of the breathtaking mountain views, sitting on 1 to 5-acre parcels. Residents enjoy a $3m Equestrian Center, fitness/exercise center, outdoor heated pool, spa, tennis, basketball, and a catch and release bass fishing lake!
- Crossroads Ranch: Crossroads Ranch, located approximately 20 miles north of Prescott, Arizona, along popular Williamson Valley Road, is surrounded by beauty. Crossroads Ranch is a 5,000-acre Equestrian Community with home sites ranging from 4 acres to over 100 acres. Wildlife love this prestigious community. Antelope, javelina, deer, elk, and bobcats enjoy the natural landscape of these rolling hills covered with pinon and juniper vegetation. This elite community offers country living with all of the conveniences of modern living, including underground utilities and paved streets. The homes in Crossroads Ranch range from modern ranch homes with fertile pastures to incredible gated Custom Estates. There are many home sites still available to build your dream home.
- Williamson Valley Ranch: Williamson Valley Ranch in Prescott, Arizona, is a prestigious, private neighborhood conveniently located just ten short miles north of the city of Prescott. This equestrian subdivision features beautiful, unique custom homes. Many homes use total solar energy; some are contemporary in design, while others are classic ranch style. Homes range in size from 1100 sq ft on up to over 6000 square feet, with lots ranging in size from 3 to 8 acres. There is plenty of room for the kids, toys, and horses! In Williamson Valley Ranch, you’ll enjoy country living at its finest complete with paved roads, underground utilities, and riding and hiking trails nearby.
- Coyote Springs Corridor: The Coyote Springs Corridor is the section on the north side of 89A. This is a rural area, with the average lot ranging in size from 2 acres up to 10 acres. Homes in the Coyote Springs Corridor are within minutes of schools, shopping, the Prescott Valley Event Center, and the new Yavapai Regional Medical Center East Campus. Communities included: Coyote Springs, Mingus Meadows, Prescott Prairie, Antelope Meadows, and Poquito Valley.
- Prescott Ridge: One of the premier locations in the Prescott area is the gated community of Prescott Ridge. This beautiful development, surrounded by spectacular daytime vistas and nighttime starlit skies, will take your breath away. Featuring 10 to 54-acre parcels, which have a myriad of vegetation, including juniper trees & pinon pines, you can choose between open spaces of land for sale to secluded or private lots. Prescott Ridge is a fantastic location for horse owners or someone searching for that little piece of paradise for their new home. This upscale gated community also offers underground utilities & paved roads, value-protecting CC&R’s, and horse privileges.
Live in Luxury in Prescott Ridge

Enjoy Rural Luxury Living
One of the premier locations in the Prescott area is the gated community of Prescott Ridge. This beautiful development features parcels that enjoy mild seasons, rolling hills, spectacular sunsets, abundant wildlife, and 10-acre minimum home sites. The land has various vegetation, including juniper trees and pinon pines.
Prescott Ridge is a fantastic location for horse owners or someone who is searching for that little piece of paradise for their new home. This upscale gated community also offers underground utilities and paved roads, value protecting CC&R’s, and horse privileges (as well as plenty of room to ride).
Located on the western slope of Mingus Mountain, Prescott Ridge is just minutes from shopping and entertainment. The luxurious subdivision of Prescott Ridge offers excellent site-built custom homes. Many of the homes in this prestigious community are individually gated, allowing extra security for your home and RV and or trailer if you decide to park it on your property. Enjoy stunning views of Mingus Mountain, Bradshaw Mountain, and Granite Mountain from inside your home or from the comfort of a covered patio.
Prescott Ridge is only a short 12-minute drive to Prescott Valley, Arizona, minutes from schools, shopping, the Prescott Valley Event Center, and the new Yavapai Regional Medical Center East Campus.
Why We LOVE Prescott Valley

Prescott Valley is growing! As of the last count, Prescott Valley, Arizona, has grown to a population of approximately 42,000. The growing town sits at an elevation of 5,000 feet and is located 85 miles north of Phoenix and 10 minutes from the area lakes, fishing, hiking and camping in the Prescott National Forest. Prescott Valley has a large retail center, an indoor Event Center, and Yavapai Regional Medical Center Hospital. Many retirees live in Prescott Valley due to relatively inexpensive housing and the mild climate.
According to Bestplaces.net, the median age of the population of Prescott Valley is 44 years old with a median income of $42,973. One of the reasons many families and retirees select Prescott Valley as their home, is the mild climate. Bestplaces.net gives Prescott Valley a comfort index of 8 out of 10. You can see from the average temperatures and rainfall in the data below why Prescott Valley received such a high comfort rating.
Prescott Valley Housing
The growing area of Prescott Valley offers a variety of housing options. There are several luxury communities such as Prescott Ridge and Legend Hills, (** link to these**) as well as numerous subdivisions and neighborhoods with a variety of amenities. Below is information on a few of the subdivisions in Prescott Valley.
Pronghorn Ranch
Pronghorn Ranch in Prescott Valley, Arizona, offers paved streets, winding sidewalks, city water and sewer, and underground utilities. This popular community offers homes ranging from 1400 square feet to over 3000 square feet. Residents enjoy a swimming pool, hot tub, patio with a Bar-B-Q, tennis/basketball court, fitness center, bocci ball, meeting rooms, a grand hall, walking trails and area parks! Pronghorn Ranch is a community for everyone. (Homes for Sale in Pronghorn Ranch)
Granville
Located at the trailhead of the Iron King Trail is Granville, a booming subdivision in Prescott Valley, Arizona. Granville offers the lifestyle you are looking for with prices you can afford. Homes range from 1,100 sq. ft. up to 3,000+ sq. ft. Offering an extensive list of community amenities including a fabulous clubhouse, full gym, meeting rooms (at two separate facilities), parks, trails, tennis, basketball, and pool and spa. Granville is on Glassford Hill Road, just a mile from schools, the Yavapai Regional Medical Center East Campus, shopping, and dining. (Homes for Sale in Granville)
StoneRidge
StoneRidge in Prescott Valley, Arizona, offers Townhomes, Patio Homes, Spec Homes, and Custom Homes and Lots. This Golf Course Community also offers Two Clubhouses (Golf and Fitness), Meeting Rooms, Gym, Parks, Playground, Hiking, Walking Trails, Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Sand Volleyball, Horseshoe Pits, Locker Rooms, Indoor & Outdoor Pools and Indoor Spa. With all of those amenities, it isn’t a mystery why families and retirees love to call Stoneridge home. (Homes for Sale in StoneRidge)
Apartments
Prescott Valley offers several apartment options as well. Everything from low-income to luxury apartments. In 2019, luxury apartments opened in the center of Prescott Valley near the Entertainment District. The Homestead Talking Glass apartments are located on Florentine by the Event Center.
The Terraces at Glassford Hill and Tapestry at Granville are also conveniently located near the variety of amenities that Prescott Valley offers.
We have been busy actively selling homes in the Prescott Valley area. If you would like more information on homes for sale in the Prescott and Prescott Valley area, or see what the market value of your home is, give me a call, I would love to chat with you. Contact me at: 928-277-6404.
Maintaining the Air Quality in Your Home

Maintaining indoor air quality is an extremely important, but often overlooked, component of living happily in your home. It’s an invisible problem, but the costs can really add up— from high energy bills to unpleasant health issues.
Here are tips to improve the indoor air quality of your home:
- Venting: Many homes have become so energy efficient that they’re also good at trapping dust and other pollutants. Appropriate ventilation is an important aspect of indoor air quality. Getting airflow through your house will remove stagnant air, this can be as simple as opening a window. Rooms to beware of include: venting bathrooms, kitchens, and venting fireplaces directly outside.
- Alarms: Alarms are also a useful way to keep an eye on what you’re breathing. Smoke alarms are a must for home safety, but carbon monoxide alarms are also key to keeping a silent killer at bay. Finally, periodic radon testing is a good idea. Radon, which a radioactive gas, is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. It is a known contributor to lung cancer. The only way you can only know how much is in your home is by preforming a test.
- Replacing Air Filters: Of course, one of the most neglected home maintenance chores is regular replacement of air filters. This is an easy fix, changing the filters is typically among the easiest tasks a homeowner can do. The simple act of replacing filters increases HVAC efficiency, extends the life of your heating and cooling system, and also lowers energy bills.
- Air Purifier: If you are susceptible to allergies from dust or even your family pet, an air purifier will help. A dehumidifier should also be considered in damp areas, such as a basement. This will prevent mold growth.
- Keeping your Flooring Clean: Cleaning your flooring may seem simple, however, it will greatly improve your air quality. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, vacuum both carpets and area rugs once or twice a week. This will eliminate allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. Keep the dust out by putting large floor mats at every door. This will reduce the pesticides, pollutants, and dirt that gets tracked into your home.
- Clean Bedding: Bedding, drapes, couches, etc., will attract dust and allergens. Regular cleanings will increase your air quality.
It’s also vital to try and store industrial chemicals such as pesticides, paints, and harsh cleaners outside of the habitable areas of the home.
If you’d like to breathe a little easier in your home, follow up with these minor home maintenance tasks and inexpensive tools. High air quality is also an excellent selling quality for you home!
If you’re thinking about listing soon, get in touch with me today: 928-277-6404.