Decluttering for a Faster, Higher-Priced Home Sale
When preparing to sell a home, decluttering is one of the most powerful steps a seller can take to ensure a faster sale at the best possible price. A clutter-free space allows potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the home rather than feeling like they are intruding on someone else’s life. Too much clutter can make rooms feel smaller, distract from the home’s best features, and even cause buyers to forget the home after seeing multiple properties in a day.
To maximize a home’s appeal and market it in its best light, here’s a step-by-step guide to decluttering effectively before listing.
Step 1: Getting Started – Where to Begin?
For many sellers, the most challenging part of decluttering is knowing where to start. Encourage them to take small, manageable steps rather than tackling everything at once.
Break It Down Room by Room
Instead of overwhelming themselves by attempting to clear out the entire home in one go, sellers should work systematically, focusing on one area at a time. A great way to start is by considering the different storage areas in each room—closets, cabinets, flat surfaces, and storage bins.
Start with a Bigger Project or Quick Wins
Sellers who feel motivated might begin with a significant project, such as a closet, pantry, or fridge. Others may prefer a “quick win” approach—decluttering in 15-minute increments by focusing on smaller areas like:
- Bathroom countertops and toiletries
- Nightstands and bedside drawers
- Kitchen junk drawers
- Shoe racks and coat closets
Common Items That Can Be Purged
Encourage sellers to remove or donate commonly accumulated items that contribute to clutter:
- Excess coat hangers
- Unused vases and decorative items
- Mismatched or unused glasses and mugs
- Old books, magazines, and office supplies
- Expired pantry items
The goal is to create a clean, low-stress, and functional space that makes a lasting impression on buyers.
Step 2: Decluttering Methods That Work
There are many ways to approach decluttering, and each seller may prefer a different method. Consider sharing these effective techniques to keep them on track.
The Keep, Sell, Toss Method
Made famous by TLC’s Clean Sweep, this technique involves sorting items into three categories:
✅ Keep – Essential and regularly used items
✅ Sell/Donate – Items in good condition that are no longer needed
✅ Toss – Broken, expired, or unnecessary items
Use Frequently, Use Seasonally, Don’t Need Anymore
For sellers struggling to part with belongings, this method encourages sorting based on how often an item is used. If something hasn’t been used in a year, it’s likely time to let it go.
Guiding Questions for Decision-Making
When sellers hesitate, suggest asking themselves:
- Is this something I use regularly?
- Do I love this item, or do I just feel like I should love it?
- Do I own duplicates of this item?
- Could this space be better used for something else?
The key is to actively declutter, not just tidy up. Items should enhance the space’s function rather than simply be moved around.
Step 3: Handling Sentimental & Miscellaneous Clutter
Decluttering becomes more challenging when sentimental items and miscellaneous storage areas come into play. Here’s how to tackle these hurdles effectively.
Overcoming Sentimental Attachments
Sellers often struggle to let go of belongings tied to memories. A good rule of thumb is to remind them that:
- The selling process is temporary, and sentimental items can be revisited in their next home.
- Photos of cherished items can preserve memories without taking up space.
- Setting a limit on the number of sentimental items per room can keep clutter under control.
The Dreaded Junk Drawer
Every home has at least one junk drawer, often filled with random odds and ends. Instead of mindlessly “tidying” it, encourage sellers to:
✅ Empty it completely and assess each item’s usefulness.
✅ Relocate misplaced items to their proper storage areas.
✅ Discard unnecessary duplicates, old batteries, or unused trinkets.
Resisting the Urge to Buy More Storage
Many sellers make the mistake of purchasing extra storage bins before decluttering. Warn them against this! New bins often end up housing clutter rather than eliminating it. Instead, they should declutter first and then evaluate if additional storage is truly necessary.
Step 4: Avoiding the Clutter Creep
Once storage spaces begin filling up again, it’s a sign to be more ruthless in decluttering. To keep clutter under control:
- Set a one-in, one-out rule – If a new item comes in, something else must go.
- Designate a donation box that gets filled up regularly.
- Commit to a pre-move purge, ensuring only essentials make it to the new home.
By following these steps, sellers will present a cleaner, more spacious, and market-ready home that attracts buyers and boosts selling potential.