Dear Heather,

I am going to put my house on the market but there’s one thing holding me back. It’s such a mess! Over the years I seem to have collected all sorts of “stuff’’. I would be happy to declutter but I just don’t know where to start.

Dear too much stuff,

I can’t stress enough the importance of presentation when selling your house. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, as the saying goes.

A new business has started in Bermuda called Minus the Muddle. A very nice lady with an artistic eye will come to your house and go through everything section by section, corner by corner, going through each item with you to decide whether it’s a yes, give or go.

“Yes” items you keep and she will amazingly arrange them in an attractive way you have never thought of before. “Give” items are good items that you just have too many of, those can be given away or sent to a thrift shop or even sold at a house sale. “Go” items are those that no longer serve any purpose in your life and/or are broken or defunct.

Once she has finished and depending on the extent of the clutter, the house may have to be done room by room, then it’s up to you to give your new space a good clean.

You will not believe how uplifted you will feel with your new sense of freedom. Throwing away and letting go of some of the things from your past can make room for newer more exciting things and events to come into your life. It can also trigger letting go of some of the memories of your past which you may have been dwelling on and that are no longer serving you.

Keep in mind, if you are going to be moving, it will make the move much less stressful and less expensive if you don’t have much stuff to move.

The big plus is that buyers will be able to see your home at its best and that can end up meaning more dollars in your pocket.

Ask your agent if they think it would benefit the dollar value of your property for you to use this service.

• Heather Chilvers is among Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty’s leading sales representatives. She has been working in Real Estate for 28 years. If you have a question for Heather, please contact her at hchilvers@brcl.bm or 332-1793. All questions will be treated confidentially. Please go on to Heather’s Facebook page — Ask Heather Real Estate — to like and share this article.