How to Get Rid of Clutter Before You List Your Home

First impressions are very important. That also holds true when you list a home for sale. The way you present your home can influence the sale’s process and timeframe tremendously.  

One of the best things you can do before listing your home is to declutter. It needs to be clean, organized and all rooms need to be accessible. Rooms that look large and decluttered appear more attractive to potential buyers.  

We are not saying you need to throw everything extra away, although moving is a good time to thin things out. You can also put things into storage until you move into your new home. This makes moving easier and faster in the long run. 

Here are some ways to get rid of clutter and get your home ready to list for sale. 

1.     Remove Personal Items

Things like family photos, unusual décor and collections should be taken down. Remove all the knick-knacks that you collected. They reflect your personal style, but they also add clutter.

It makes it easier for the buyer to imagine living there. If you remove your personality from your home, they can envision theirs in it. Plus, the rooms look larger and more inviting. 

2.     Remove Excess Furniture

The rooms should not feel cramped and crowded. The easiest way to open them up is to get rid of extra furniture. Remove damaged and worn furniture. That also applies to torn fabrics like curtains, pillows, blankets and more.

Worn and old things might give the buyer pause. They may think it means you did not take good care of your home, even if it is not true. You do not want to give that impression. Instead, think of your house as a show home.

The buyer is not looking at how many seats can fit in a room. They would rather imagine their own furniture in those rooms and admire how big the rooms appear. Often, it is more a feeling than a floor plan that influences the buyer. If it feels empty to you it can give the buyer room to imagine. 

3.     Get Rid of the Things You Do Not Want to Move

If you have not used something in a while, chances are you do not need it anymore. That goes for old furniture, stacks of newspapers and old sport equipment. Now is a good time to get rid of it. 

Decluttering can be therapeutic and definitely helps with the move and listing. If you get rid of something now, you won’t have to pack, move and unpack it later. There is no better time to declutter than before selling a home.

When you are done there should be almost nothing on surfaces. That includes tables, counters, the top of the fridge and any other solid surface. Nothing should just be laying or standing around. You need to declutter cupboards, closets and drawers too. Do not forget to clean up your garage as well.

Contact Kenco Home Inspections

To make sure your home is ready to be listed and sold, schedule a home inspection with Kenco. We are your home inspectors in southeast Florida and want to make the sales process successful for you.