Depersonalize and Declutter to Help Prospective Buyers Visualize Themselves in the Space

When showing a home to sell it is important to give the buyers a clean slate to walk through and imagine themselves and their own possessions in the home. Which bedroom will be whose, where the furniture will be arranged, how their lives will be living in this home. To do that, prospective buyers must be able to see the house for the layout, storage space, and features. Not the way you, the current owners, have decorated or lived in it.

Rent a Storage Unit and Create Throw Away, Sell, and Donate Piles

A general rule of thumb is to get rid, or store, one third to one half of the current furniture and “stuff”. Every room and every closet, the garage and storage area included. Every square foot will be scrutinized by a prospective buyer. Rent a storage unit and while packing create throw away, sell, and donate piles.

Be Ruthless in Getting Rid of Excess Furniture and Belongings

When decluttering your home before selling it, it’s important to be ruthless and fast in your decision-making. This means being willing to get rid of excess furniture and belongings, and doing so quickly. However, the benefits of decluttering go beyond just preparing your home for sale. With a clean and clutter-free home, you’ll already be halfway packed and ready to go when it’s time to move out. This will make the moving process much smoother and less stressful, allowing you to focus on settling into your new home rather than dealing with the excess clutter from your old one.

“The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo: A Best-Selling Guide to Decluttering and Organizing Your Home

A best-selling book about organizing, decluttering, and living with what you need and love is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie Kondo. Long on the best-seller list, the book guides you in a different way to organize your life and home. The added bonus is being already half-packed and completely decluttered for the move when the house sells.

Conclusion

Decluttering your home is essential when selling it in a competitive real estate market. Remove personal items, rent a storage unit, and be ruthless in getting rid of excess furniture and belongings. Consider reading “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo for guidance on the decluttering process. Not only will this increase the appeal of your home to prospective buyers, but it will also benefit your overall well-being.

1. Dark or bold paint colors.

Even trendy colors cannot please everyone. Paint colors have become so individual, it is important to present a neutral landscape for the buyers to envision themselves living in your home. Prime and paint over dark or trendy colors with a light neutral color.

2. Dated kitchens and bathrooms

The rooms most likely to sell or not sell a home. Scouring grout, repainting, and deep cleaning, along with staging using fresh white towels will present a clean if not up to date look. Make sure all the fixtures are in working order and simply present a clean and uncluttered space.

3. Popcorn ceilings

A buyer turn-off for many decades now, popcorn ceilings will immediately date your home; that it was built sometime in the 50’s through the 70’s. Not only does it create a dated appearance, but if the popcorn contains asbestos it creates a health issue too. It’s an immediate buyer turn-off and if they see it in pictures before viewing the home, they might not even give it a second glance. Though not inexpensive to scrape or install gypsum board over it, in the end it will be worth the work and expense to rid the ceiling of the popcorn before listing your home.

4. Pets

Even pet lovers don’t necessarily love your pets. The distraction of a pet in the house can completely ruin a showing, not to mention the reaction of a buyer who has a pet allergy. Be sure all pet odors are neutralized. After showings, we speak to the showing agent and pet odor is often the top complaint.

5. Dark rooms

Open the window drapes and blinds and turn on the lights. Make sure all the bulbs in all the fixtures are working, remember this from our January Inventory and Repair List. Taking the time to turn on all the lights in your home before a showing cannot be overstated. It may be the difference between a first impression of dark and dingy or light and airy.

6. Messy garages and laundry rooms

Neat and tidy means there is room to work in both of these work areas. If they are filled with junk or a pile of laundry, it feels like there is not enough work or storage space in the area.  Families will take into account how much room there is in a laundry room. Freshly laundered clothes can be left in the machines and on the surface space to enhance the feeling that work is easy in the area, and in fact the clean smell can be a benefit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to selling your home, it’s important to be aware of the top turn-offs for potential buyers. From dark paint colors to dated kitchens and bathrooms, there are a number of factors that can immediately turn buyers away. Some before the buyer even steps foot into your home. However, by taking the time and effort to address these issues before listing your home, you can ensure a smoother and more successful home selling process. Whether it’s repainting in neutral colors, updating fixtures, or simply decluttering and deep cleaning, even small changes can make a big difference. By presenting a clean, bright, and welcoming space, you can help potential buyers see themselves living in your home and increase your chances of a successful sale.