Take a deep breath, then box them up and send them to storage or stash them under your bed. While they may hold sentimental value, these treasures are clutter to prospective buyers.
Clearing clutter does two things: it simplifies cleaning and neutralizes the space, helping buyers imagine their own belongings there.
If you cringe at the thought, remember: Space sells. Start with the garage, where unused items often pile up. Toss worthless things, store essentials elsewhere, and neatly organize “disposable” items for a future garage sale.
Many home sales experts recommend removing half your furniture from the house. Accent tables, extra chairs, and cabinets housing large collections are ideal for removal.
Keep essential furniture, like a dining table with chairs, but remove items like a corner china cabinet or curio shelf.
Bedrooms should feature just one double or queen bed or two twins, storing any extras. Take inventory of what you can spare, note where each item will go, and store, sell, or donate it.
Depersonalize spaces by removing items like your daughter’s Harry Styles poster, your husband’s stuffed deer head, or partisan materials. Neutral zones help buyers imagine their own belongings in the home. Reassure your family they’ll get their items back once the house sells!
Just as it is good to remember that space sells, it is also important to remember The Rule of Three.
Step one of the rule: Take everything off the kitchen counter, bathroom vanity, table tops and mantles and wipe them clean.
Step two: Return only THREE items to each space. Yes, ONLY three. As for the left over items-store them, sell them or give them away.
When your house is on the market, nothing is off-limits. Buyers will open closets, drawers, cabinets, and pantry doors. Clean and organize these spaces. Keep the shower spotless, removing all personal care items.
In the bedroom, clear out half the clothes from each closet, place shoes on a rack, and hang purses and belts neatly. Recycle old newspapers from the hall closet. Ensure every cabinet and drawer is clean and tidy.
In her book, “Simple Steps You Can Take to Sell Your Home Faster and for More Money in Any Market” Ilyce R. Glink suggests creating a “clutter collector” in areas where papers and writing utensils seem to collect.
Glink’s clutter collector is a large, flat storage box kept where mail and schoolwork pile up daily. Use it for receipts, phone messages, kids’ artwork, permission slips, and other papers. Before a showing, slide it under a bed.
Now that you’ve decluttered, what about usable items you no longer need? Donate them to charity for a potential tax deduction. Many organizations even offer pickup services, saving you time.
You can sell unwanted items through consignment shops, classified ads, garage sales, or auctions. Extra cash can help with moving expenses.
If you can’t part with these treasures, self-storage is a good option for furniture, seasonal gear, holiday decorations, and patio furniture.
If clearing clutter feels overwhelming, remember two things: First, less clutter makes cleaning easier with fewer objects to move. Second, decluttering now simplifies packing for the move after your house sells.
Since you’ll have bigger priorities then, doesn’t it make sense to tackle it before buyers view your home?
Spend a Little, Get a Lot
✅ If you have more than two cars in your driveway, park the extras at a neighbour’s to make the area look more spacious.
✅ Remove oil and rust stains from concrete with commercial cleaners from automotive or home improvement stores.
✅ The basement doesn’t need to be spotless, but replace bulbs and clear cobwebs before showing the house.
✅ Change air conditioning and furnace filters for better efficiency.
✅ If the washer and dryer are in the basement, add a rug and shelves to create a cozy laundry area.
✅ Check for termites by using a pocketknife to jab the support beams near the foundation. If it penetrates easily, there may be termites.
How To Avoid The Most Expensive Mistakes Smart People Make When They Sell A Home…
Mistake #2: Failing to “showcase” their home.
First impressions are the most important. Experience shows that for every $100 in repairs that your home needs, a buyer will deduct $300-$500 from their offer. Thoroughly clean and prepare your home before you put it on the market if you want top dollar.
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