ost sellers understand myself, are attached to our home,
keeping a house clean and how we have decorated it and our
picked-up but have possessions we proudly display.
difficulty understanding how to Sellers must accept the fact they
really remove clutter. It is more will not be in the house much
than keeping the house neat. Try longer and be willing to repaint
some of the following and impress rooms with neutral colors, remove
your agent and, more importantly, pictures and put away those
potential buyers. souvenirs from last years
vacation. A good idea is to start
The first task I suggest it to by removing most of your personal
pretend you are not the owner or items from each room. Get boxes
even that you have ever seen the or storage containers to store
house before. Tour your property your items. Approach the removing
both inside and outside and make clutter as if you are staging or
a list of anything you see that preparing a model home for
catches your eye and takes away viewing by buyers. Remember you
from the homes appeal. These will want the buyers to be able to
be offensive to your eye such as imagine their belongings in the
toys in the front yard, hoses house.
that are not put away, busy
shelves and too many items on the You will know if you have
mantel. It could also be stacks successfully removed clutter in
of magazines or newspapers. Make your home by the number of boxes
the tour several times and keep or storage containers you have
adding to your list. The more you when you are done. Your first
notice the less the potential thought may be to put all these
buyers will. boxes neatly in a closet. Resist
the temptation and consider
Most home owners, including closet space can be a selling
feature. They too should look as much in the house. Don’t be timid
good as possible. Not overly about asking your agent to help
packed closets will help create a point out these final few items.
spacious feeling in your home. If We spend a fair amount of time in
your closets are packed full or homes and have a good feel for
messy, the potential buyer may which ones show best and why. If
get the feeling the house is not you ask, be prepared to accept
big enough. their suggestions. We are here to
help you sell your house, not be
Don’t overlook your garage as critical of your possessions.
this is the place most of us
consider as a storage area. Find If all of this seems more than
a friend, neighbor or family you want to cope with, consider
member willing to store your using a professional stager. They
boxes and containers. If this is can remove clutter and even help
not possible consider renting a you bring in items that will make
storage facility on a short term your house look like a model
basis. Selling your home quickly home. Again selling quickly and
and at a higher price will more for the best price possible can
than cover the cost. more than pay for this service.
Like above, consult your agent,
After making your tours, list and they can help you make this
removing your personal item I decision.
suspect your real estate agent
will still think you have too
About the Author:
Julie Jalone is an experienced professional Realtor serving the need of buyers and sellers of residential real estate in the Greater Sacramento area including Placer, El Dorado, Yolo and Yuba counties. Some of the communities served by Julie include Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln and Granite Bay. Julie is a wife and mother living in Rocklin. For more information see her website, www.jalone.com, which includes listings, local real estate market analysis, news, resources for buyers and sellers and her daily weblog, ”Keep it Real in Sacramento.”
