5 Areas You Should Declutter Before Selling Your Home

Written by Kim Pinnelli Posted On Saturday, 16 January 2021 20:47

When you sell your home, your job is to convince buyers that their belongings would work well in your home. You can't do that unless you declutter before selling your home, though.

If all buyers see are your personal items all over the house, it's hard for them to picture how their items would fit in. If selling your home fast is a goal of yours, it's time to declutter. Here are 5 areas you should focus on decluttering:

1. All Storage Areas (Including Closets)

Buyers pay a lot of attention to storage areas. They want to know how much area there is or isn't in the home. The less clutter you have in the storage areas, the larger they look. Get rid of anything you don't need and anything you do, put in mobile storage.

If your closets, crawl spaces, or attics don't look 'put together' consider installing shelving units to make them look more organized.

2. All Living Areas

All lower level living areas should be clear of clutter. This is the area families will spend most of their time. You want them to visualize their furniture, wall décor, and personal belongings in it. 

If your walls are cluttered with personal items and the floors are strewn with magazines, pillows, and end tables, it's hard to see the area's potential. Keep it as open and streamlined as possible.

3. The Kitchen Counters

Make the kitchen look as spacious and useful as possible. This is the heart of the home and any buyers who love to cook will pay close attention to the kitchen's spaciousness. Leave only large appliances and a towel or two out – everything else should be in its place. 

Let the important areas of your kitchen shine – the appliances, counter space, and pantry. When nothing is distracting the eye from these areas, the kitchen will sell itself.

4. Bathroom Counters and Cabinets

Even if you use the bathroom counters as your catch-all, when you list your house, it all needs to get put away. Use your cabinets to store toothbrushes, makeup, and grooming tools. Just be careful not to stuff everything in the cabinets and drawers and make them look cluttered – buyers look in every little area.

5. Bedroom Floors, Walls, and Closets

Bedrooms are a key area too – including both the master bedroom and kids' rooms. While the closet space is important, look at the entire room too. Take down wall hangings, make the beds, and keep the decorations to a minimum. Anything other than the 'necessities,' such as a bed and dresser, should go.  

Clear the Clutter Before Selling your Home

Even if your home is in great condition, if there's too much clutter, no one will see it. Their eyes will be drawn only to the clutter. Take the time to discard, donate, and store away items that don't have immediate use in your home and you'll find that your home sells a lot faster and/or for a price closer to the sales price you wanted.

Kim Pinnelli is a personal finance expert and a writer for SellYourPhoenixHouseFast.com. She has a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Kim enjoys helping people understand real estate and the mortgage process and has been doing so with her freelance writing for 14 years. 

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