Stop! Declutter Before Your Home is Listed

Readying Your Home for Buyers

The prep work of readying your home helps buyers see the bones of your home plus allows the buyer to imagine their own belongings in each room. When you declutter and remove your personal belongings, the final view is a clean slate for buyers to picturing themselves sitting on the front porch sipping coffee in the morning, relaxing poolside on a hot summer day, or gathering around the dining table with family to celebrate a birthday. It’s hard to imagine celebrating Grandma’s milestone birthday or toasting a favorite nephew’s announcement of being engaged when the walls are filled with photos of the seller’s family. Make it easier on buyers to see themselves in your home by removing the personal touches throughout.

When you pare down the photos and artwork on your walls you are making space for a future homeowner to gauge if their favorite photo of the sunset taken on their honeymoon will fit nicely above the bed or look better in the family room.

When you clear off countertops, bookshelves, and reduce the amount of furniture in rooms, it’s easier for buyers to see the actual size of space and judge if the available space will accommodate their favorite recliner, the dining table that’s been pass-downed through the family, or if their KitchenAid mixer will fit nicely in the corner of the counter.  

Reduce with the KonMari Method

Marie Kondo, the inventor of the KonMari Method of Tidying Up, has gained popularity with her tips for sorting through the years of accumulated possessions. You’ll find many of her videos on YouTube or look for her series on Netflix. Check out her videos/series for ideas and tips on making decluttering easier.

In general, the Konmari Method encourages tidying by category—not by location—beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, miscellaneous items, and finally end with your sentimental items. Kondo encourages you to keep only those pieces which speak to your heart and let go of the items that no longer spark joy.

Donate It, Trash It or Leave It as a Home Perk

In a recent blog post, I shared numerous locations around Fort Bend County where you can donate household items that no longer serve you. Read the full post by clicking here.

Be sure to talk with your seller’s agent about the general items you’re thinking of donating. As your agent, I can guide you through listing your home plus assist you in identifying which donation items may actually be a perk to a homebuyer looking at your home.

As always, I’m here to help you answer questions about listing your home and to aid you in making the move as pleasurable as possible.

Buyers are looking for homes just like yours. Let’s get things tidied up and get your home listed soon. Let’s discuss the best way to prepare.

Since 2004 Sara Lyn Nguyen continues to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise about buying and selling real estate around the Houston area to those she serves. Sara is a multi-year award winning REALTOR® and relocation specialist where her clients trust her to have up-to-date information on the real estate market. She has been one of Gary Greene’s Multi-Million Dollar Top Producers and was the #2 Top Producing agent in 2020 citywide. When it’s time to buy, sell, invest, or relocate speak with a trusted professional knowledgeable in the homes and neighborhoods of Fort Bend/Sugar Land and the surrounding region.