Clearing out unnecessary “stuff” can help you sell your home faster and for more money. This guide explains.
If you’re like many people who are thinking about selling a home in DC Ranch, you know that you’ll need to declutter, style and stage to sell your home – but the decluttering part is tough when you’re doing it so you can sell your home. Fortunately, there are 15 things you can do right now to declutter your space and make it irresistible to prospective buyers.
Ready, Set, Declutter: 15 Amazing Tips to Clear Out the Excess
Decluttering means something different when you’re selling your home. It means going through and ruthlessly removing anything that doesn’t contribute to the lifestyle you’re trying to sell with your house, and that can be tough for many people. But the bottom line is that buyers want to see a house that they can imagine themselves living in – not feel like they’re guests in someone else’s home.
With that said, check out these 15 super-easy tips you can use to start clearing out the excess to make it easier to sell your home. Start in any room; some people prefer the biggest and others prefer the smallest. It’s totally up to you – and as long as you get it done, it doesn’t matter where you started and finished.
Decluttering Tip #1: Sort Through Entryway Clutter
Go through accessories, shoes and other items in your entryway and get rid of any that you don’t use or want. You can pack up seasonal clothing in your closet at this time, too.
Decluttering Tip #2: Send Your Excess Furniture to Storage
If there’s any furniture in your home that’s seen better days, or if you find that something interrupts normal walking paths, put it in storage, sell it or donate it.
Related: 5 air-purifying plants you need in your house now
Decluttering Tip #3: Move Out Oversized Furniture
Send your oversized coffee table or seating to storage. Oversized pieces tend to make rooms look smaller.
Decluttering Tip #4: Put Personalized Items in Storage
Family photos, religious decor and collections should stay in storage during the time your home is on the market. You want prospective buyers to start with a neutral palette so they can envision their own belongings in your space.
Clearing off your kitchen counters can help impress buyers with the amount of space you have.
Decluttering Tip #5: Clear Off Kitchen Surfaces
Take everything off your countertops except perhaps a fruit bowl or recipe holder. You don’t want your kitchen gadgets and appliances to distract buyers from how much counter space your home has.
Related: 3 kitchen improvements that can pay off big at the closing table
Decluttering Tip #6: Clean Up Your Drawers
Go through each of your kitchen drawers (and other drawers in your home) and remove everything that makes them appear “stuffed.” You want to wow buyers with how much space you have, not how much stuff you can cram into a small space.
Decluttering Tip #7: Take Down Refrigerator Magnets (and Everything Under Them)
Clear off your refrigerator’s surface. Don’t keep anything on it; make it look like a showroom model in a home appliance store.
Decluttering Tip #8: Clear Off Windowsills
Keep your windowsills clear so buyers can get a great view of what’s outside – and so all the light comes into each room.
Related: What is a rent-back agreement?
Taking about a third of your clothes from your closet will make it look a lot bigger – and a lot more appealing to prospective buyers.
Decluttering Tip #9: Take a Third of Your Clothes From Your Closet
Take out at least a third of your clothing – and more if it’s feasible. You want to show buyers that your closet has plenty of space to store everything you need, even if it’s a cozy area.
Decluttering Tip #10: Take Boxes to Storage
The boxes that you’re using to keep your holiday decor, keepsakes and memorabilia in belong in a storage unit for the entire time your house is on the market. You want buyers to see how big your storage space is, and as you already know, storing anything in that space diminishes what buyers will see.
Decluttering Tip #11: Organize Kids’ Toys and Store Old Items
Go through children’s toys and find a home for everything. Get rid of items they no longer play with to free up space. You can donate or sell many of them, so it’s a win-win situation.
Related: 5 tips to help buyers remember your home
Decluttering Tip #12: Get Rid of Old Toiletries
If there are toiletries in your bathroom cabinet that are past their expiration dates, or that you simply no longer use, it’s time to part with them. If you have unused toiletries, you can donate them to a local shelter or other charity.
Decluttering Tip #13: Pick Up Outdoor Toys
Toys in the yard also create a cluttered look. Clean things up and store, donate or sell anything your kids don’t play with.
Decluttering Tip #14: Clear Out Your Shed
Go through your shed and get rid of items you haven’t touched in months (or longer). The items you keep meaning to fix but haven’t, lawn care equipment you don’t need, and even bicycles have no place in your shed if you don’t use them.
Related: How to decorate a guest bedroom to sell your home
Decluttering Tip #15: Clean Up Your Garage
Organize everything in your garage so it’s neat, and if there’s anything you can put in storage (such as your holiday decorations or seasonal sports equipment), you should do so.
Are You Selling a Home in DC Ranch?
Thinking about selling your home in DC Ranch? Call us at 480-360-0281 to find out how we’ll market it to all the right buyers. If you’re also looking for a new home, we’d love show you any listing in the community. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to search for something that’s a perfect match for your needs.
While you’re here, check out our:
- Country Club Village homes for sale
- Desert Camp Village homes for sale
- Desert Parks Village homes for sale
- Silverleaf Village homes for sale
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
866-613-8356
don@scottsdalerealestate.com
