A messy home is a big turn-off for potential buyers. Decluttering your home helps you add to your home’s value when you sell it. Getting rid of unwanted belongings around the house also makes it easier to pack on moving day. Plus, you get the benefit of starting clutter-free in your new home.
While we all can agree that decluttering is a crucial step of the home selling process, for most of us, paring back is challenging. After all, there is often sentimental value to our personal items, brimming with memories and experiences. What should you get rid of, and what should you keep?
We’ve got a decluttering checklist to help you sell your house fast in New Britain. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Start Small
It’s likely impossible to declutter an entire house in a single day. Start small and keep the momentum going instead of tackling it all simultaneously.
- Start with a small space like the pantry, laundry, or hall closet, and don’t stop until you have finished it.
- Alternatively, pick a category and sort through everything that fits in the category throughout the house. For example, you can start with all of the books in your home. Then, move onto clothing before sorting through sentimental items like photographs and souvenirs.
- Follow the 12-month principle. For every item, consider if you have used it in the last 12 months. If you haven’t, you can probably get rid of it.
- Have three labeled cardboard boxes:
- Take
- Donate
- Toss
- For oversized items like electronics and furniture, use color-coded sticky notes to identify if it needs to be stored, donated, or dumped.
While decluttering, make sure to depersonalize your home. Personal items like religious decor, photos, and family heirlooms make it difficult for buyers to visualize themselves living in your home. Remove personal belongings to make the space feel neutral.
Step 2: Be Ruthless in the Kitchen
Kitchens can make or break a home sale. Buyers prefer houses with large kitchens and ample storage. So, make sure to clear out the cabinets, drawers, and countertops. Just keep the bare minimum items and move the rest to storage.
- Pack up all your good china, platters, and serving ware.
- Similarly, remove all rarely used appliances, pans, and pots.
- Remove any signs of problems in the kitchen, like rat traps or ant powder.
Scrub and clean the counter to give it a radiant look. Place a bowl of fresh fruits or flowers on the counter to make an excellent first impression.
Step 3: Flaunt the Living and Dining Areas
Move extra furniture and accessories to storage. Once you have sorted the bulky items, turn to the smaller stuff. Clear out ornament collections, magazines, and extra throw pillows. The more clutter, the smaller the room’s appearance. Pare down your belongings and remove anything extra or unnecessary.
Step 4: Clear the Hallways
The entryway and hallways set the tone for the rest of the house. To create the best first impression, you need to wow prospective buyers right at the entrance. Ensure that the hallways are clear of clutter. Remove magazine racks, artwork, hanging hooks, umbrella hooks, footwear racks, and other items from the hallways. Secure rugs and carpets to the floor to avoid a tripping hazard.
Step 5: Wow Buyers with the Bedrooms
Don’t shove everything in the closet, hoping that buyers won’t notice your mess. Prospective buyers will likely inspect your home thoroughly, including the closets and storage spaces. Store seasonal clothing and rearrange your clothing neatly based on color or type. Remove excess furniture from the bedroom and make sure that the linen is clean to give a neat, crisp look.
There are many benefits of decluttering. It helps you make a quick sale, increases the resale value of your property, and starts you afresh in your new home. Start decluttering early to reap the rewards. But if you need to sell your house fast, the best option is to sell your house directly to BlueCrest Property, the top-rated cash home buyer in New Britain. Get in touch with our team to get a free no-obligation cash offer today!