{"id":577,"date":"2021-01-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legacy.showhomes.com\/charleston\/why-decluttering-accelerates-the-sale-of-a-home-how-to-implement-it-successfully\/"},"modified":"2022-05-09T00:04:19","modified_gmt":"2022-05-09T00:04:19","slug":"why-decluttering-accelerates-the-sale-of-a-home-how-to-implement-it-successfully","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacy.showhomes.com\/charleston\/why-decluttering-accelerates-the-sale-of-a-home-how-to-implement-it-successfully\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Decluttering Accelerates the Sale of a Home & How to Implement It Successfully"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Decluttering
\nAccelerates the Sale of a Home & How to Implement It Successfully<\/o:p><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/b><\/p>\n

Nearly every professional real estate agent or home stager will
\ntell you how important it is to declutter your home before selling it. “Decluttering”
\nis a universal term for putting your personal items away, leaving spaces clear from
\nthings that distract from the home and its potential for a new owner. The
\nprocess involves putting away extraneous belongings, making way for clear lines
\nof sight, and removing visual distractions. Buyers would prefer not to see the
\nthings that feel personal to the seller and messy to the eye. However, in a
\npandemic when we are working from home, children are in classes at home, and
\nmore of our lives are spent at home, this decluttering is a tall order.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>Does decluttering really<\/i> matter? After all, the buyer
\nhas a home too, filled with personal items and can certainly understand. The
\nanswer is yes. Buyers are looking for the magazine cover page, the Instagram® image,
\nthe HGTV® reveal. As more than a third of home buyers are now in the
\nmillennials age range, they are seeking the picture-perfect home as promoted on
\nsocial medias and television networks.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>As a professional home stager, I have seen some cluttered
\nhomes that can be deemed “real hot messes” – to use my southern emphasis. Many
\nof these cluttered homes that have been on the market for months, and by walking
\ninto the front door, I’ve tiptoed around items and personal belongings. The buyers
\nhave likely walked the same maze of belongings when touring the house. I’ve
\nalso viewed properties where sellers collect lovely things that they display on
\nshelves and dressers, in china cabinets, and throughout the house in various
\nplaces. While perhaps neatly placed, these items draw curious glances and distract
\nfrom the property itself. I have also spoken with sellers who refuse to believe
\nthat their personal items are clutter, and thus have paid the price with time
\non market and\/or lower sales price.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>Growing up, my mother had a mug that read, “Great Minds Have
\nMessy Desks.” The sentiment was accurate, given that my mother’s desk was often
\nvery cluttered. She could find anything she needed, but the desk was definitely
\na mess. Her desk functioned perfectly fine for her because our house wasn’t for
\nsale. However, if your home is on the market, a messy desk or a messy bathroom,
\nfor example, could have poor implications when prospective buyers tour the
\nhome.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>To some the idea of decluttering is daunting, especially if
\nyou are not an organized person, cherish your collectables, or have a “real hot
\nmess,” in your home. From my home staging experience, I have learned some tips
\nand strategies for making the process a little easier and less intimidating.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>1.     
\n<\/span><\/b>COUNTER CLUTTER<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>Start with horizontal surfaces, like tabletops and
\ncountertops – these surfaces should be free and clear of almost everything. A
\nbuyer’s eye should not be stopped from observing a home from floor to ceiling
\nwith items that interrupt the horizonal flow of the space.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>In the kitchen, exceptions may be daily use items (like a
\ncoffee pot or bowl of fruit). Everything else should be put away into the
\ncabinets or drawers. Likewise, in the bathroom, no buyer wants to see your
\ntoothbrush, used bar of soap, collections of lotions or other hygiene items. Tuck
\nthese items away out of view.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>Finally, in living spaces, dining rooms and bedrooms, clear
\nshelving of items smaller than a man’s fist. Anything else should be carefully
\nanalyzed for color and curiosity. If it is odd or brightly colored, it should
\nprobably be tucked away.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n


<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/b>2.     
\n<\/span><\/b>FLOOR CLUTTER<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/b>Aside from furniture and large planters, nothing should take
\nup valuable floor space. The more floor space is uninterrupted, the bigger the
\nroom will feel. (This may even include removing rugs.) Small statutes, umbrella
\nstands, tray tables, baskets, etc. should be packed away. These items conflict
\nwith the scale of most rooms and while functional for day-to-day use, are unnecessary
\nfor the staging of the home.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>Kids’ bedrooms should be free from toys on the floor and as
\nmuch as possible, any other items that take up floor space. While many buyers
\ngive grace for children’s rooms, it is in the best interest of the seller to
\nremove as much clutter as possible for a room to feel large and tidy, creating
\na positive impression for buyers.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>3.     
\n<\/span><\/b>WALL CLUTTER<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/b>Keep art to a minimum. Remove any art pieces that are off
\nscale (most often art that is too small). Art with strong subject matter should
\nalso be taken down. While it may be tempting to think that a cool gallery wall
\ncould be a great way to showcase art, gallery walls require very careful
\nmeasurements and installation. In my opinion, one thoughtfully placed art piece
\nper room is generally enough and should be placed on the first visible wall
\nwhen entering the room.<\/p>\n

<\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p>4.     
\n<\/span><\/b>WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE IT OUT<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/b>Less is always more when
\npreparing a home for sale. If you are struggling with whether an item is
\nclutter, it probably is. Many people feel that their home will be too sterile
\nafter they declutter. In fact, clean and clear is quite attractive and allows a
\nbuyer to see the qualities of the home (space, character, amenities, etc.)
\nwithout being distracted by personal “stuff”. It may be helpful to engage the
\nservices of a professional home stager to provide assistance and direction.
\nWhen selling a home, it is essential to present the home at its best to potential buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lorelie Brown, M.A., CPRES, CID is the Owner of Showhomes Charleston in Charleston, SC.  RESA-PRO member, an HSRA-Elite Member and <\/span>HSRA Elite Leadership. <\/span>She is passionate about the power of home staging and has staged over $300 million in real estate.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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