By Deanna Hinde (Life’s Next Stage) & Kirstie Farey (Present Me)
Preparing to leave the family home can be emotional, stressful, and overwhelming as everyone in the family has built many memories.
Often the to-do list feels endless: the repairs, the decluttering, the cleaning, the staging.
Its just too much and its hard to know where to start
The good news? You don’t have to do this alone.
At Life’s Next Stage and Present Me, we specialise in helping older adults transition into retirement living with dignity, care, and minimal stress — and we make sure your home is presented in the best light to get maximum return when it’s time to sell.
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It Starts With the Right Focus
Before jumping into what needs doing, we always start with a clear goal:
- What size living space are you moving into?
- What’s the budget for getting the house sale-ready?
- What will make the biggest difference to the sale price or time on market?
Knowing this helps us focus on what really matters.
From there, we develop a tailored plan that’s practical, respectful of their energy, and financially wise.
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Repair, Refresh, Ready
Buyers notice the little things — and they often assume one small issue means more to come. So we help ensure the essentials are fixed: leaking taps, cracked windows, broken light switches, appliances that don’t work. Then, we move to presenting the house of the home:
- Gutters cleaned
- Driveways water blasted
- Lawns mowed and hedges trimmed
- Exterior and interior clean-up
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First impressions matter, and we make sure potential buyers see the home at its best — without you needing to manage a single tradesperson.
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The Power of Decluttering
Deanna helps clients gently sort through their belongings, focusing on the life they’re moving toward. With warmth and patience, she helps decide what should be gifted, donated, or packed. This process not only clears space — it makes the transition emotionally smoother for you.
Kirstie agrees: decluttering and simplifying a space allows buyers to emotionally connect to the home. That’s why she recommends packing away personal items like family photos during the sale period. It’s all about giving future buyers the room to visualise their life in the home.
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Styling That Doesn’t Cost the Earth
We understand that not every transition calls for full-scale, expensive home staging, especially when you have furniture in the home.
Kirstie specialises in working with what’s already in the home, rearranging and presenting spaces in a way that’s warm, welcoming, and market-ready, without the stress or cost of bringing in all-new furniture.
Small styling items can be added to these spaces to create a vision if necessary.
Simplicity sells and this is where we come in.
- Grouping items strategically
- Soft furnishings to create comfort and flow
- Cleaning and clearing surfaces to give that low maintenance,easy living feel
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These simple touches elevate any space – and make a big difference to sales appeal.
Cleaning Matters
A clean, clear, well-presented home does more than just look good, it feels good! It allows potential buyers to imagine the memories they could create there.
It helps them see the home as a low-maintenance, move-in ready space, full of potential and ease. That first impression matters, and we make sure it’s a lasting one.
Present Me offers a range of customisable cleaning service, working within your requirements
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Coordinated, Trusted, Stress-Free
At Life’s Next Stage, Deanna doesn’t just offer advice — she does the organising for you.
From booking curtain and carpet cleaning to scheduling tradespeople, she co-ordinates it all through her network of trusted professionals (all providing discounted rates passed directly onto you and your family!).
You’ll receive a clear, visual monthly planner so your parent knows who’s coming when — and you don’t need to juggle calls or chase updates.
You’re Not Alone
We know that letting go of the family home is deeply emotional. It’s not just about bricks and mortar. It’s a lifetime of memories, routines, and familiarity.
That’s why we work gently, with care, and at your pace — while also helping move things forward.
You might be reading this wondering how to possibly fit this into your life. You don’t have to.
We’re here to take the load off your shoulders, be your trusted guide, and ensure your home is ready for the next family to love it — all while preparing them for their next chapter.
Together, we bring comfort, clarity, and confidence.
Let’s talk about how we can help you — and give you peace of mind.
Read more
Make first impressions count when you’re selling the family home
How to make great first impressions from the street when you’re selling your home.
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