Depersonalization

In my last two posts, we covered the need for sellers to de-clutter and clean their homes in preparation for marketing. Now, we move on to depersonalizing the space. Potential Buyers will find it hard to move into the house when they feel as if you are still living there.

Begin by taking down personal pictures. You love your friends and family. However, having Great Uncle Arthur’s portrait staring down from above the fireplace may intimidate potential buyers. They don’t realize he is the life of the party at every family gathering and that his stern appearance comes from him being stuffed into a too tight, highly starched shirt. Buyers only want to escape his piercing glare. Along with personal photos, eliminate any religious and political items or hunting trophies on display. Buyers can be offended by these items and will eliminate your house from their list of prospects.

Pack away all your collections before you open your home for showings. This includes your beloved dolls and beanie babies. They will only distract buyers from focusing on the space and positive elements the house has to offer. Bookshelves should be emptied of at least one third of their books and knick-knacks. Once again, let the spaciousness of storage show. The issue of any guns or items that can be used as weapons being present in the home when it is for sale is a definite no-no. Realtors do their best to know their clients, but they can only do so much. Why open your home to strangers and allow them to see weapons displayed? Whether you collect sporting guns or antique samurai swords, a home for sale is not the time to let strangers (who may have nefarious reasons for checking out a location) view them. As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. Store any questionable items in a secure place out of the clients’ view.

Toys not only take up room and cause distraction; they can become a safety threat if too many are lying around the floor. Put away all but a few necessary playthings. If your child is uncomfortable without his/her toys, box up some and alternate with those that are out every other week. This keeps the little ones happy and allows the home to stay safe as well as tidy. Reassure them that living without their oversized, fuzzy panda and gigantic construction truck collection is only temporary and that soon all of their things will be living in a new home.

Many of us are weekend warriors. We have more sporting equipment than our local sporting goods store. Whether most of it is used is questionable. We all know someone who uses their stationary bike as their clothes valet or laundry drying rack. However, having it clutter up precious real estate is not smart thinking. Treadmills and elliptical trainers should not be found in bedrooms. In one case, I have seen one of oversized machines plopped in the center of a dining/living space. Imagine a buyer trying to visually move their sofa into this room. Store the exercise equipment until you move. If your home shows well, you won’t be inconvenienced for long.

The home is slowly becoming empty. This is only evident to you, the owner who has grown accustomed to the surroundings. To a buyer, the house is starting to grow in space and appeal. This may just be the place they can call home.