Clutter Can Cost You Cash
Originally appeared in Hills Publications, July 13, 2001 and ANG Newspapers, July 28, 2001
Clutter, clutter, everywhere
Each nook and cranny filled
Clutter, clutter, everywhere
Many a sale has killed
– With apologies to Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Once you decide to sell, you need to emotionally detach yourself from your home and the personal property inside. For the time you have owned it, it has been your place. From now on, it is merchandise to be staged. This is how you maximize the selling price.
Remove, remove, remove
We all have too much stuff. As a seller, you need to show your home in its best light. For most, this means getting a lot of your personal possessions out of the house. Minimizing furniture and knick-knacks can improve traffic flow and, possibly, make the house lighter and brighter.
At times, sellers resist getting rid of some large pieces of furniture because they are a headache to move and store. Despite their initial misgivings, after the sale, my sellers have universally felt that the effort was worthwhile. Some of them have told me later how, after the cleanout process, they liked their house better.
Buyers and agents often have trouble visualizing what a home could look like. Staging sets the scene and makes the statement you want. If necessary, sellers are usually willing to hire a professional for staging. This may involve substituting some or all of the their belongings with rented furniture and accessories. Naturally, staging is de rigueur for vacant, upscale properties.
From time to time, I see even staged houses with too much furniture. A few nice pieces to set the mood are much better than an excess of furnishings. The idea is to have it appear as spacious as possible.
Collections or clutter?
Have you ever walked into someone’s home to find a room filled with their favorite collection? It could be model planes, trains, dolls, or glassware. Although the items may be attractive or interesting, normally there are so many it is overwhelming. This does not help the salability of the property.
Another example is an abundance of photographs and paintings on the walls. Generally, they are either family shots or samples of the homeowner’s creativity. Although this may be done in good taste, more often than not I see homes filled with framed snapshots.
While your property is on the market, too many wall hangings can be a detriment.
Bookcases, even if built-in, do not present the best visual effect when filled from floor to ceiling. A small number of books, strategically placed on each shelf, create a better impression.
Some sellers are open to suggestions from a professional who can be objective and not emotionally involved. Others find it difficult to hear that they need to remove what they have so proudly displayed. This is why I ask sellers for permission to be honest before sharing my opinions.
Keep storage neat
Buyers are always looking for sufficient storage. Older homes may be lacking in the closet department. This makes it particularly important to clean out your closets and minimize what is in them prior to marketing. Inexpensive storage racks and plastic containers can be helpful.
Garages and basements exist to store stuff we just cannot get ourselves to throw out or give away. This is because “it’s still good” and we may be able to “use it for something” someday. I do not know anyone who is not guilty of the above thinking.
Nonetheless, if you are getting ready to sell, bite the bullet and let go of all the junk you have not used for years. The truth is you actually have more space than you think; it is just filled with the odds and ends you have long ago forgotten.
Final Thoughts
It is not easy to see our home as others see it. This is critical when it comes time to sell and is why a Realtor experienced in preparing properties for sale is essential.
Getting a house ready for the market usually takes months. It almost always is more time consuming than you think. Choose an agent early in the process. He can tell you what needs to be done and can provide you with resources to accomplish this. The best agents have a team including cleaning people, haulers, gardeners, stagers, handymen and others to assist you.
De-cluttering can be strenuous and time-consuming, but there is a payoff. You not only should be able to net more dollars, but you will be moving without all that debris. Now you can start the process all over again.
Related Articles:
Preparing To Sell