Real Estate Articles

A disorganized home can be major source of stress

When asked about the biggest cause of stress in their lives, in addition to finances, majority of Americans say they are overwhelmed at least some of the time by the clutter in their house. This anxiety over clutter gets many homeowners depressed and prevents them from inviting friends to their home.

According to Houselogic, a site created by the National Association of Realtors for homeowners who want smart solutions to improve and maintain their home, there is a link between clutter and depression. Research by UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives and Families (CELF) found that clutter can affect a person's mood, self-esteem, and even lead to depression. More women than men are disturbed by clutter and associate a tidy home with a happy and successful family.

Clutter is especially difficult to tackle for older adults whose homes contain a lifetime of memories, from family photographs to their children's old toys and other mementos. The very thought of reducing clutter can emotionally paralyze them.

"Decluttering teaches us to let go and create space. Simplicity helps save time and allows us to feel lighter," says Karen Trolan, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors.

The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors offers the following tips that can bring some organization into your home:

1. Don't tackle the impossible in one day. Take a weekend and make it fun. Invite your children to join you and you can even pass on their mementos, like old artwork, for them to keep.
    
2. Tackle one area at a time – a drawer, a closet, a room.
    
3. Create a system by dividing items into four piles: keep, donate, sell, throw.
    
4. When going through your clothes closet, remember the rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in a year (or two), you won't miss it.
    
5. Donate old towers, blankets, cleaning supplies to a local animal shelter. Donate books to a local library or hospital.
    
6. Sort and purge each day's mail, unwanted catalogs or ads. Shred credit card and financial solicitations. Designate a folder for receipts and documents you may need for tax purposes.
    
7. Throw old lotions, makeup and medicines that have expired. Donate spare toothbrushes, lotions, soaps and shampoos.
    
8. Go through your junk drawer and dispose of items that you have saved, hoping to remember their purpose later. If you can't remember their purpose now, you never will.
    
9. Go through your kitchen cupboards and toss items that don't match, or dishes, bowls, or silverware which you have never used. Consider donating them to others who need them.
    
10. Sentimental items like knick-knacks and collectibles bring happy memories, but they also can take over your home. You have given these items a place in your home for a long time. Prioritize and learn to let go.

The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.

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