According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 1 in 9 Americans change residences each year—that’s roughly 36 million people moving from one home in the U.S. to another every single year. Whether you’re moving out for the first time, downsizing, or moving to a bigger place, the entire process is just plain stressful.

Lucky for you, we’re here to simplify it and show you how a dumpster rental could be your secret weapon in getting it done.

First and foremost: The best way to sell your home (and get the most money for it) is by making it look impeccable. That means clean, free of clutter, and a blank canvas for potential buyers to envision their lives.

Now, with that being said, there’s no better time to downsize than before a move. If it’s tough to imagine parting ways with some of your beloved items  think about it in terms of what you have to gain:

• With less stuff to move, you save money on moving expenses
• You earn money by selling/donating the things you want to get rid of
• Your house looks bigger, and thus, allows for a higher asking price

The Art of Moving Out

A majority of experts recommend doing a solid clean out and decluttering of your house before even putting it on the market. Saving the dirty work for the last minute can be very stressful, so the earlier you start the process, the better. However, even if you don’t start prepping early, you should at the very least have a plan. Start at the top of your house, and work your way through each room until you’re finished.

All of this (paired with less clutter in your new home-to-be) makes for a less stressful moving experience and the best possible start in your new home.

Step 1: Reduce your stuff.

As previously mentioned, clutter can cost you no matter how you look at it. If you keep it in your house while it’s on the market, it could cost you a sale. If you decide to put it in storage, you could wind up paying hundreds in monthly storage unit fees.

Step 2: Improve your curb appeal.

In a buyer’s market, your home should be in tip-top shape from top to bottom. That means landscaping, siding, windows, roofing, gutters, etc.

If you have any broken windows or a leaky roof, these defects could discourage potential buyers from making an offer, so be sure to have them fixed properly. You’ll also want to be sure to clean out your gutters, wash windows and screens, and pressure-wash your home’s siding.

A fresh coat of paint never hurt anybody either, especially when it comes to your front door. Freshening up your existing door by painting it a color that contrasts with your home will make it stand out, catching the eyes of potential buyers, and inviting them in for a better look.

Another way to brighten up the “face” of your home is by replacing old, faded house numbers with new, modern digits. (You want buyers to be able to see them from the curb.) And while you’re at it, update your exterior lighting fixtures for a bold, fresh look.

Make sure your yard is immaculate. Mow the lawn, get rid of any weeds, prune shrubs and bushes, plant flowers, etc.

Step 3: Spruce up the inside.

Just like the exterior of your home, make all necessary interior repairs. Even if they seem like “no-biggies” to you, a potential buyer may be adding them to their mental list of post-purchase expenses they’d need to address. So replace that faucet, change out those old cabinet handles, and make the little changes that add up to make big differences.

Once all repairs are made, it’s time to freshen up the place and give it a good cleaning.

Step 4: Throw it all away.

Okay, so maybe this won’t always be the last step. But no matter what step it is, renting a dumpster is your secret weapon in helping get rid of all the clutter and junk your house has been holding—all in one fell swoop.

Because let’s be honest—if you’re like most people, you probably have an absurd amount of junk lying around your house, from old letters and birthday cards to locks with lost combinations and everything in between.

The debris that’s collected on your property over the winter. Broken patio chairs. Empty paint cans. Boxes of decade-old documents. The old air hockey table. All this stuff, and more, can go in a dumpster. We will even place the dumpster where it’s easiest for you to access—just be sure to ask!

So find the right dumpster for you, and get it delivered to your home at a time that’s most convenient. You’ll be able to keep it as long as you want and go at your own pace during the painstaking process of prepping for a move.

“Moving Is Less Painful with a Dumpster and a Plan.” Hometown Dumpster Rental. N.p., 2016. Web. Sept. 2016.