Declutter and Depersonalize Your Home for Photos, Videos, and Showings: A Step-by-Step Guide
When it comes to selling your home, the front door plays a crucial role in creating first impressions. A welcoming and organized front door area can significantly shape a buyer’s initial perception of your home.
The way your home is presented in photos, videos, and during showings will significantly impact potential buyers’ perceptions and ultimately their decision-making process. Here’s how you can effectively declutter your home and depersonalize it to create a welcoming, inviting space that appeals to a broad audience.
Introduction to Home Selling
Selling a house can be a stressful process, but with the right guidance, it can be a stress-free experience. A real estate agent can provide valuable assistance throughout the process, from determining the asking price to finding potential buyers. Before putting your house on the market, it’s essential to declutter and stage your home to make it more attractive to buyers. A cluttered house can be overwhelming, and buyers may have trouble envisioning themselves living in the space.
Declutter your home, physically move out and store away items you can live without.
By decluttering and staging your home, you create a more welcoming atmosphere that potential buyers can see themselves living in and it will help to sell your home faster. Decide what to keep and what to discard to streamline the process and enhance your home's appeal.
Benefits of Decluttering
Decluttering your home can have numerous benefits, including reducing stress and increasing the value of your property. A clutter-free home can also make it easier to sell your house quickly and for a good price.
By getting rid of unwanted items and organizing your belongings, you can create a sense of calm and tranquility in your home. Additionally, decluttering can help you save money by reducing the amount of storage space you need and minimizing the risk of damage to your belongings. With the help of a professional organizer or by using decluttering tips, you can create a more organized and peaceful living space. Starting with areas that have less stuff can promote quick wins and make the process more manageable.
Decluttering Strategies
Create a Decluttering Plan
Creating a decluttering plan is an essential step in the home selling process. Start by identifying the areas of your home that need the most attention, such as the kitchen cabinets or laundry room. Then, gather supplies like trash bags and boxes, and begin sorting items into categories. You can use the four-box method, which involves sorting items into:
keep,
donate,
sell, and
throw away categories.
Simple Four Box Method to Declutter Your Home: Keep, Sell, Donate and Throw Away | Bowers Homes, Kincardine, Ontario
It’s also a good idea to set a deadline for completing the decluttering process, take a break when needed, and conquer one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. It feels so good!
Minimize Personal Items
Create a Neutral Canvas: To help buyers envision themselves living in your home, aim for a neutral atmosphere. Start by removing personal photographs, diplomas, and family heirlooms. These items can prevent buyers from connecting with the space as their own.
Handling sentimental items carefully is crucial, as they can present emotional challenges. Methods like Marie Kondo's KonMari suggest tackling sentimental items last to avoid overwhelming feelings, while the Swedish Death Cleaning approach also advises saving them for the end, highlighting their emotional significance.
Tone Down Bold Statements: If you have rooms with bold, personalized decor, consider painting them in neutral colors. Soft grays, whites, and beiges can make spaces feel larger and more versatile.
Limit Décor: Aim for tasteful, minimalistic decor. Items like generic artwork or simple vases offer a touch of elegance without dominating the space. Select pieces that complement the home’s architecture and style.
Achieve a Quick Win
Achieving a quick win is an excellent way to build momentum and motivation when decluttering your home. Start by making quick decisions on a small area, such as a coffee table or a single shelf, and clear everything off of it. Then, sort items into categories and put back only what is necessary and useful. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and help you develop your decluttering muscles.
Remember to take breaks and stay hydrated throughout the process, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. By achieving a quick win, you can create a sense of momentum and motivation that will carry you through the rest of the decluttering process.
Organize Spaces
Closet Clarity: A well-organized closet exudes a sense of ample storage space. Start by reducing the number of items—consider donating clothes you no longer wear. Use matching hangers for a uniform look, and arrange clothing by type and color.
Optimized Storage Areas: Apply the same decluttering principles to hall, linen, and entryway closets. Keep a few coats and shoes organized on racks, and use baskets or bins to neatly store miscellaneous items. Dealing with paper clutter in commonly used areas like the living room is crucial. Gradually assess and organize these items to prevent them from becoming overwhelming. Always return items to their proper place to maintain an orderly environment.
Store away extra clothes, Organizing closets and drawers with fewer items will make the storage space seem bigger.
Clean Cabinets and Drawers: Buyers often peek inside cabinets. Ensure kitchen and bathroom cabinets are tidy, with label-forward products and organized shelves. This not only demonstrates ample storage but also suggests that the home has been well-maintained. Items in the wrong spot should be placed in a designated ‘Bring Home’ box, which allows for easier sorting and organization elsewhere in the house.
Bathroom: Remove everything from the bathtub/shower area, including all soaps, shampoos, and even the glass squeegee. Clear the bathroom counters—people don’t want to see anything personal in the bathroom—think new home look with no extra products.
Kitchen: Clear the countertops, clean your appliances. Either minimal coverage on the table or make a complete table setting. Tidy your kitchen drawers.
Depersonalize Your Home
Depersonalizing your home is an important step in the selling process. This involves removing any personal items, such as family photos or sentimental trinkets, to create a neutral space that potential buyers can envision themselves living in. Start by removing any items that are specific to your family or personal style, such as clothes or decorative items, and replace them with more neutral pieces. Consider hiring a professional organizer to help you with this process, as they can provide expert advice on how to create a space that will appeal to a wide range of buyers.
Depersonalize Your Home: Remove personal items so prospective buyers can imagine themselves, with their things in the space.
Additionally, make sure to clean and tidy up any cluttered areas, such as the kitchen cabinets or coffee table, to create a sense of openness and flow. By depersonalizing your home, you can make it more attractive to potential buyers and increase your chances of selling quickly and for a good price.
Staging Your Home to Sell
Staging Your Home to Sell - declutter and depersonalize room by room.
Staging your home is an essential step in the home selling process and a crucial part of effective marketing. It involves arranging your furniture and decor in a way that makes your home look attractive and welcoming to potential buyers. Start by decluttering and depersonalizing your space, and then add decorative touches like plants and artwork.
As a broker with Century 21 In-Studio, Bowers Homes provides complimentary staging to help you sell your home. Or, alternatively you might consider hiring a professional home stager or using home staging tips to create a welcoming atmosphere. Remember to focus on the most important rooms, such as the living room and kitchen, and don’t forget to stage the outside of your home as well. By staging your home, you can create a positive first impression and make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Marie Kondo’s KonMari method can also be a great idea to declutter and organize your home before staging it.
Preparing for Viewings
Preparing your home for viewings is a crucial step in the selling process. This involves making sure your home is clean, tidy, and free of clutter, as well as making any necessary repairs or improvements to increase its value. Start by decluttering and organizing each room, using decluttering tips such as the “one in, one out” rule to get rid of any unwanted items. Consider hiring a professional cleaner to give your home a deep clean, and make sure to pay attention to any areas that may be prone to paper clutter, such as the home office or kitchen. Additionally, make sure to stage your home in a way that will appeal to potential buyers, such as by setting the table or arranging the furniture in a way that creates a sense of flow. By preparing your home for viewings, you can create a positive first impression and increase your chances of selling quickly and for a good price.
Finishing Touches
Add a Splash of Color: While depersonalization is key, a few well-placed, colourful accents can bring a room to life. Consider adding a vase of fresh, red flowers or a bowl of vibrant fruit on the kitchen counter to add warmth and vitality.
Set the Scene: Arrange tables and countertops with simple, elegant settings to showcase the potential for entertaining. A clean, beautifully set dining table can evoke a sense of hospitality and functionality.
Scents Matter: Subtle scents can enhance the ambiance. Use lightly scented candles or essential oil diffusers to create a welcoming aroma, but avoid overpowering fragrances that could be off-putting.
Light It Up: Ensure that each room is well-lit. Open curtains to let natural light flood in, and consider adding floor or table lamps in darker spaces. Proper lighting can make homes appear larger and more inviting.
Beautiful Kitchen staged to sell with bowl of fruit and flowers on counter.
Imagine the sense of accomplishment and tranquility you’ll feel once you’ve finished reading and visualized your tidy, well-organized home. For example, adding a vase of fresh flowers or a bowl of vibrant fruit can instantly enhance the appeal of your kitchen.
Documenting Maintenance and Updates
Prepare a Maintenance Log: Create a document listing major maintenance work completed over the years, including updates to appliances, HVAC systems, and landscaping. Include dates, costs, and contractor details. This transparency will reassure buyers about the quality and care your home has received.
Managing Cleared-Out Items
Storage Solutions: To effectively deal with items you wish to keep, consider renting a storage unit or asking a friend or family member to store them temporarily. Deciding what to keep or discard during the decluttering process is crucial for maintaining an organized space. By eliminating more items, you can ease the overall process and keep your home clutter-free while securing your belongings.
Donations: For items you’re ready to part with, look into local charities like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, or local shelters that accept donations. Not only does this help you declutter, but it also benefits those in need.
Final Checks Before Photos and Showings
Keep it Sparkling: Cleanliness is paramount. Ensure surfaces are dust-free, floors are clean, and windows are crystal clear. Regular maintenance cleanings will keep the home in top condition for impromptu showings.
Stage for Success: For photos and videos, work with a professional photographer who can capture your home in the best light. Before showings, do a walkthrough to ensure everything is in its place and the home feels inviting.
Homeowner Discretion: Ensure all personal valuables are securely stored away before any showing. This not only maintains privacy but also ensures peace of mind during the selling process.
Securing home insurance is a crucial step before finalizing the purchase agreement, ensuring that all conditions are met.
By following these steps, you ensure that potential buyers focus on the quality and potential of your home, free from the distractions of personal artifacts and clutter. It’s all about creating a blank slate where buyers can envision their future lives.
Remember, I’m here to assist every step of the way with personalized advice tailored to your home and goals.
Once all conditions are fulfilled and the contract is firm, you can officially denote your property as 'sold' by placing a sign in front of the house.
This guide provides a thorough approach to preparing your home, making it as appealing as possible to prospective buyers while also handling your belongings responsibly.
Linda Bowers, Broker
Bowers Homes, Kincardine, ON
Author Bio for Linda Bowers, Real Estate Broker, Bowers Homes, Century 21 In-Studio, Kincardine, Ontario