When most people think of a New Hampshire home inspection, they picture attics full of cobwebs, basements stacked with mystery boxes, and closets doing their best impression of a pressure-packed jack-in-the-box. But clutter isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can hide real maintenance problems and make it harder for homeowners to stay ahead of repairs. This week, we interview professional organizer Melissa Wilson, Chief Everything Officer at Simply Out of Order. We explore how good organizational habits connect directly to a healthier, safer home. From simple systems to treasure-hunt surprises, this conversation shows how staying organized can keep your home inspection-ready all year long.

How did you get into professional organizing — and how messy was your house before you started your business? 

Organizing is something that I have loved doing since I was young. It gives the greatest satisfaction to see something messy become neat and organized. I always thought it would be fun to do it for other people and so I started Simply Out of Order this past year. So with that said, my house is pretty organized!  I mean, what kind of organizer would I be if my house was a mess? Lol But not to say it doesn’t get messy – ever!

What’s one thing people always misunderstand about what a professional organizer actually does?

People tend to think a professional organizer comes in and does everything for you. The key to this is that a professional organizer must work with the person who needs the organization. You are clearing out their personal stuff, making it a system they can use, and helping them maintain the new system. You can’t do that in a vacuum. The client must be part of the decisions. Think of me as your conscience and guide!

I see some creative storage solutions during inspections — from the “throw it in the attic” method to the “everything in totes” system. What’s your verdict on those?

While every system should work for each person and looking from the outside we may think “Wow! How do they find anything?” If you were to ask the person for something in those totes and they can point to it right away, then that system works for them and in a strange way, they are organized. But if they spend hours rooting through those totes or the attic, then they definitely need me!

What’s the weirdest or most unexpected thing you’ve found while organizing someone’s home? (No names, of course!)

The most unexpected thing is when someone finds something valuable they didn’t know they had. It had been buried for years! It’s almost like a treasure hunt!

Do you think clutter hides maintenance issues? (Because I’ve found more than one leaky pipe hiding behind a wall of holiday décor.)

Absolutely! Homes can have clutter piled high and against walls or the foundation. They could be there for years hiding something serious.

How do you help clients keep their homes “inspection-ready” all the time — not just when they’re about to sell?

Think about what I just said and a leak happens. Not only has the problem gone on for a long time and now damage is worse than it could be; but the repair technician has to wait for you to move everything or they have to do it which costs time and money. Being organized isn’t just about being neat and finding things, but allowing you awareness and ease in seeing issues when they happen.

What’s your favorite organizing tip that actually sticks for busy homeowners?

The hanger trick is a good one. Hang all your clothes with the hook facing out. As you wear the garment, put it back with the hook facing the closet. At the end of the season, see what hooks are still facing out. Those are the ones you never wore. If you went a whole season not wearing them, then perhaps you need to find them a good home.

If you could design a “home maintenance checklist” with an organizer’s twist, what would be on it?

1. Check & Clear Air Vents and Filters

Maintenance: Replace HVAC filters and vacuum vents to improve airflow.
Organizer Twist: Label the replacement filter size on the vent with a sticky note or small tag so you never have to look it up again.

2. Test Smoke & CO Detectors

Maintenance: Press the test button, replace batteries, and check expiration dates.
Organizer Twist: Put a small plastic bin in the utility closet labeled “Batteries — Home Safety Only” so you always have backups on hand.

3. Clean Out Under-Sink Cabinets

Maintenance: Look for leaks, corrosion, or moisture around pipes.
Organizer Twist: Use waterproof bins under each sink—if a leak happens, the bin catches it and makes clean-up easy. Bonus: no more mystery bottles rolling around.

4. Declutter & Inspect the Entryway

Maintenance: Check doors, locks, and weather stripping for wear.
Organizer Twist: Set up a grab-and-go zone with hooks or baskets for keys, gloves, umbrellas, and bags. Less clutter = smoother mornings and fewer lost items.

5. Walk the Home Exterior

Maintenance: Look for cracks, loose siding, clogged gutters, or foundation shifts.
Organizer Twist: Keep a “Home Projects” notebook or digital list. Snap quick photos of anything that needs attention and store them in one place—no more trying to remember what you saw or when you saw it.

Which would you rather tackle: a cluttered basement or an attic full of mystery boxes?

Would you really want to go into that scary attic? You never know what you will find up there!! Lol. Seriously, both have their pros and cons. I would say that each need to be addressed and if I had somewhere to start, I’d go with the attic. Mystery boxes are always intriguing!

If a homeowner only had a weekend to make their space feel lighter, where should they start?

Start with the worst area first. No, you may not get it all done in a weekend, but even some progress is better than nothing and that little bit will make you feel even lighter!

How can realtors team up with organizers and inspectors to make the buying/selling process smoother?

Moving is a huge undertaking. It’s overwhelming to say the least. The realtor is there to find that perfect home and sell yours smoothly. The inspector is there for peace of mind in what you are purchasing. But the organizer is there to help with the third thing that overwhelms – moving all your stuff. While we aren’t movers, the hardest part of a move is getting things organized to move. What will you keep, what will you part with? What space are you moving to and how will you organize everything when you get there? These are things an organizer can support. With the professional team of a realtor, inspector, and organizer, you can be assured of the support and expertise to make moving as smooth as possible!

What’s your dream collaboration with a home inspector look like? (I’m hoping it involves fewer cobwebs.) 

Me too!!! A dream collaboration with a home inspector would blend their technical eye with the organizer’s practical, day-to-day solutions. The inspector identifies risks, maintenance needs, and hidden issues, while the organizer turns those findings into clear systems, routines, and setups that keep the home safe, functional, and easy to maintain. Together, they help homeowners not just fix problems—but prevent chaos before it starts.

At the end of the day, an organized home isn’t about perfection—it’s about making maintenance easier, reducing stress, and uncovering issues before they turn into expensive surprises. Whether you’re preparing for a NH home inspection, getting ready to sell, or simply trying to bring a little order to the everyday chaos, teaming up with an organizer can make a world of difference. And when realtors, inspectors, and organizers all work together, homeowners get a smoother, safer, and far more manageable journey from “listed” to “moved in.” In other words: fewer headaches, fewer hidden problems, and maybe—just maybe—fewer mystery boxes in the attic.