You set up your San Luis Obispo County home exactly as you wish. You have everything you need and it’s placed exactly where you want it. Your home is comfortable, functional, looks great, and you love it! But is the way you furnish and decorate your home the same way you should present it to potential buyers? Many times, it’s best to declutter before you list your home.
Why Should I Declutter?
One of the most important steps in preparing your San Luis Obispo County home for sale is decluttering. Why is it so important? Here are some reasons:
Sell the Vision
You want buyers to envision their life in the home, not get caught up in yours. Too many of your items can distract from their vision and make it harder for them to emotionally connect with the property.
Showcase Your Home
You’re selling your house, not your personal possessions. Excess furniture, decorations, countertop items, and other possessions can divert attention from the house.
Emphasize Open Space
Space sells. Buyers are generally willing to pay more for more space. A home that feels open feels bigger, and more valuable. Too many items makes the home feel smaller than it actually is. If those items also obstruct the view between rooms, they can diminish the beauty of an open floor plan.
Produce Great Pictures
Most buyers start their search by viewing pictures online. An uncluttered home will make your pictures look better and draw more buyers to tour your home in person.
Make Money or Give a Gift
You’re probably going to keep most of your possessions. That’s why you purchased them and why you kept them. However, you’ll likely wish to part with some of them. This gives you the option to sell, donate, or gift them to family or friends.
Start Packing
Packing can take quite a while. Going through your possessions before listing allows you to get a head start and reduce stress later.
Receive Better Offers
You own a great home. Decluttering helps ensure you receive offers that reflect your home’s worth.
How Should I Declutter?
Now, let’s consider what to declutter before you list your San Luis Obispo County home for sale so you can impress buyers and sell faster.
Clear Out Personal Items
Buyers need to imagine themselves living in the home, and that’s tough to do when it’s filled with your personal memorabilia. Start by removing most photos and kids’ artwork. While these items hold sentimental value, they can distract potential buyers. Decluttering helps make it feel more like a blank canvas, which is exactly what buyers need to envision their life and emotionally connect with the home.
It’s also very important to remove or securely lock any sensitive personal information and valuable items. Don’t overlook financial statements, valuable jewelry, and any prescription medications.
Front Porch and Entryway
The front porch and entryway makes the first impression. Make sure it’s a great one!
A freshly swept porch with a few potted plants and a clean doormat can do wonders and set the tone for what to expect in the house.
On the interior, if you tend to leave your mail, shoes, jacket, dog leash, or other items of convenience by the front door, it may be best to store them elsewhere while listing.
Tidy Up Closets and Storage Spaces
Buyers love storage space. It is a major selling point, so don’t overlook your closets and hallway cabinets. Overflowing or disorganized storage areas give the impression that your home lacks space. So, remove some items, clean, and organize them to show off the ample storage space.
It’s generally a good idea to keep closets no more than two-thirds full and use hangers and bins to streamline the appearance. Buyers will look inside. Showing off clean, spacious storage will leave a positive impression.
Minimize Furniture and Décor
Too much furniture or bold décor can make rooms feel and look smaller than they really are. If the furniture is particularly large, it can also obstruct an open floor plan. Walk through your home and consider how it looks and feels or ask a family member or friend for their opinion. Consider removing large or mismatched furniture or replacing it with smaller pieces if needed.
Declutter your décor as well. Limit shelves to a few items and remove anything too personalized. This creates a space that feels clean, inviting, and move-in ready – exactly what buyers want.
Refresh the Kitchen and Bathrooms
The kitchen and bathrooms are among the most important rooms for buyers, so give these areas extra attention. Clear countertops of most small appliances, jars, and non-essential items. Similar to closets, bathroom and kitchen cabinets and drawers should be clean, organized, and less than full.
Remove old or expired pantry items, unused cleaning supplies, and excess toiletries. These high-traffic areas should be sparkling clean and as clutter-free as possible to highlight their functionality and style. As you evaluate what to declutter before you list your home, these rooms should be at the top of your list.
Organize the Garage
Buyers want to see that the garage offers space to park their cars along with storage. While most buyers don’t expect the garage to be as clean or well organized as the house, it should be swept and well organized.
You may need to use the garage to store some of the items you removed while decluttering your house. If so, it’s best to leave paths for buyers to easily walk through the garage. Also, make sure to box and label any small items.
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Spaces
On the outside, remove garden tools, excess patio furniture, and anything else that detracts from outdoor space. It’s also best to mow the grass, trim shrubs, and clean off the sidewalks and driveway.
Additional Suggestions
Think Like a Buyer
Remember what led you to love and purchase your home. Then, make the experience even better for the buyers who will consider purchasing it now. Enlist a family member or friend for additional perspective and ideas.
Consider the Listing Photographs
Most potential buyers start by viewing pictures online. If the pictures look great, it will grab their attention and they will be more likely to tour your home in person.
Categorize Items
As you declutter, you’ll want to be prepared for what to do with each item. Undoubtedly, you’ll keep many of them. Others you may gift to a family member or friend, sell and make some money, or donate to charity. Some items you’ll likely choose to throw away. Prepare in advance for how you will identify and handle items in each of these categories.
Start Early
Avoid waiting until the last minute and creating stress for yourself. An early start will allow you to showcase your house as the wonderful home it is!
What if You’re a Buyer?
This blog has primarily focused on homeowners preparing to market their homes. If you’re a buyer, there is still a very important takeaway: Look past any clutter when viewing photographs and touring homes for sale. Other buyers may get distracted by the clutter. As a discerning buyer, that could provide an excellent opportunity for you to recognize value where others do not. It could help facilitate your purchase of a great home with less competition.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what to declutter before you list your San Luis Obispo County home can make a dramatic difference in how quickly and successfully your property sells. By focusing on the most visible and frequently used areas, you can ensure that buyers walk into a home that feels clean, spacious, and ready for them to move in.
Taking the time now to declutter your home in preparation for sale not only makes your listing photos stand out but also simplifies your move later. If you want expert advice on decluttering your home, contact The Jean Morton Results Team. We offer free consultations for any questions you have. We hope to talk with you soon!
