The Real Deal

Set stage for the sale by clearing the clutter

If you're thinking about selling your home, it's time to take an assessment of all the things you've accumulated since your last move. Don't be surprised if your Realtor asks you to clean up the clutter, pack up the knickknacks and ship it all off to storage.

What most sellers don't realize is that buyers are not interested in personal items--especially items such as family photographs and various treasures collected over the years. These items only get in the way of a potential buyer's ability to envision his or her own personal effects in your home.

While most sellers cannot move everything out of their home and into storage, moving various pieces of furniture out of the house before marketing is one way to create space within a room, and help potential buyers imagine their own furniture in place of yours.

Sellers can check with their Realtor for contacts for storage facilities and movers. Typically, storage facilities offer large garage-type storage areas that are weatherproof, temperature-controlled and offer high security but easy access to renters.

Several storage companies also offer delivery of large, weatherproof containers that homeowners can pack themselves. Once the container is full, the storage company will pick it up and store it for the consumer. Or you can choose to go it alone when storing items and rent a small moving truck or trailer to cart treasures to a storage facility.

Curbside appeal is often the determining factor as to whether or not a potential buyer ventures into a home that is for sale. That's why Realtors often recommend storing away items outside the home, such as grills, children's toys and bicycles. If you don't want to store items but would rather dispose of them, you can consider holding a garage or yard sale. Better yet, give your unwanted items to charity since your giveaways might be a treasure to someone else.

Sellers should think of themselves as living in a model home when they market their property. That means that, in addition to making sure the home is constantly kept clean, you need to be willing to move your favorite chair, end table or couch.

It makes it easier for a potential buyer to envision a home office in place of a cozy den in the same space. Since buying a home is usually the biggest purchase of their lives, it's frustrating if consumers can't see past all the clutter.

Finally, sellers should plan ahead. Too many times, sellers wait until the last minute to move items out and end up paying more in the long run for services or space they don't need because what they do need is not available at the time.

Clearing out the clutter to create a spacious look is well worth the investment in time and money to show your home at its best. Ask your Realtor to help you determine what you can do to make your home show like a model home.

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