 Remove
Clutter
Real estate agents say buyers won't purchase a home they can't
see. If your home has too much furniture, overflowing closets,
crowded kitchen and bathroom countertops, or lots of family photos
or collectibles on display, potential buyers won't be able to see
your home. Get rid of anything you don't need or use. Fill up your
garage or rent an off-site storage space.
After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such
a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However, it does
affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize
it. Clutter collects on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets,
garages, attics, and basements.
Kitchen Clutter
The kitchen is a good place to start removing clutter. It’s
also one of the most important rooms in the house. First, get everything
off the counters - even the toaster. Store everything in cabinets
and drawers.
You may notice that you do not have enough cabinet space to put
everything. Clean them out too. Put all those rarely used pots
and pans, dishes, etc., in a box and pack it away in storage or
the garage. Homebuyers like to open cabinets and drawers, especially
in the kitchen. They want to be sure there is enough room for their "stuff." If
your kitchen cabinets, pantries, and drawers look jammed full,
it sends a negative message to the buyer and does not promote an
image of plentiful storage space. Create as much “open space” as
possible.
Closet Clutter
Closets tend to accumulate clutter. Temporarily pack away extra
clothes, shoes and other items that make your closets look "crammed
full."
Furniture Clutter
Many people have too much furniture in certain rooms – perhaps not
too much for your own personal living needs – but too much
to give the illusion of space that a homebuyer would like to see.
Remove any furniture that you can temporarily do without.
There’s a reason they use extra small beds and furniture
in model homes. They are trying to give the impression that there
is plenty of room!
Basements, garages, attics, and sheds accumulate not only clutter,
but junk. These areas should be as empty as possible so that
buyers can imagine what they would do with the space. Remove
anything
that is not essential - this may be an ideal time to have a garage
sale!
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