How to sell your home for the least amount of money
Didn’t their Realtor tell them? This is not the way to sell their home!
Unfortunately, the longer we live in a home, the more (most of us) accumulate. If you are thinking of selling your home in the next year, it is not too early to get started. I sometimes have clients hire me as much as a year ahead of time so that they can benefit from my complimentary home stager and weekly real estate updates.
If you will be selling within the next year, you really can (and should) start preparing now!
Step 1: The 25% Rule. When your home goes to market, your closets, cupboards, pantries, etc. should have at least 25% empty space. Buyers are buying storage and if your home appears to have ample storage space, your home will sell faster and usually for more money.
I am embarrassed to say I have drawers full of unorganized photos. Weed through your photos, categorize, make albums and yes –toss the fuzzy ones. You have how many sets of dishes in your cupboard? If you have china, pack it away now or after the next holiday dinner. Do you collect? Pack it up now for safekeeping. You don’t want anyone fingering (or worse stealing) your collectibles. Besides they are distracting to the buyer.
Start packing or (even better donating) all of the clothing which no longer fits. Go through your shoes, I am ashamed to admit I have shoes I haven’t worn in five years (shame on me).
I don’t keep too many books, but I have many friends and clients who do. Again, weed through them, if you think they might be valuable contact a book buyer. You really don’t want to move hundreds of books do you? Donate some of them; when donating always request a receipt for income tax purposes.
Are you a clearing house for children or friend’s possessions? If so, give them notice, they must claim and remove their belongings from your home. You certainly don’t want to have to move their items to your new home.
And P.S. back to the photo - what the heck was the Realtor thinking when he snapped this??? Who was his target audience? Plate thieves?
Related Posts: Selling your home? Clean out the closets! Closet clutter buster
Declutter your Los Angeles home
Categories: Home Staging, Clutter Buster, Real Estate Photography, A Seller's Perspective
Tags: home selling preparation
So true! I like the 25% rule. It's hard for buyers to visualize living in a space that is full of stuff...stuff that is not theirs.
Reply to this
I completely agree! When a house is to cluttered buyers cannot see the potential it has for them to turn it into their new home. I would recommend putting your belongings in storage while showing the house. You still get to keep all of your essentials while making your house a little clearer for buyers to see the endless possibilities.
Reply to this