I’M HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE AND A FRIEND TOLD ME I SHOULD
“I’M HAVING AN OPEN HOUSE AND A FRIEND TOLD ME I SHOULD
REMOVE PERSONAL OBJECTS—SUCH AS PICTURES, KNICK-KNACKS,
ETC.—AND PUT THEM IN STORAGE. HE EVEN SUGGESTED TEMPORARILY
REMOVING EVERYTHING THAT’S SMALL ENOUGH TO PICK UP. IS THIS A GOOD IDEA?”
Although packing up anything that you can lift may be a little extreme (such as your microwave or house plants or lamps), your friend does make a good point in terms of “de-personalizing” your house and removing clutter. When
prospective buyers tour your house, they often envision how their belongings will fit. Not only do they try to imagine where their furniture goes, but they also mentally place smaller, more personal items like pictures. By putting your personal items temporarily in storage, you can help those potential buyers better “connect” with your house. Also, by removing clutter, you open up the house and give the appearance of more space. A room chock full of bric-a-brac will always look smaller than it is. Cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms are prime candidates for
clutter removal as well. Prospective buyers will often nose through your cabinets and may be put off if your cabinets are packed. They may end up thinking, How in the world will my stuff ever fit in this small space? So, as a general rule, try to keep clutter to a minimum. It just may be the difference between selling your house quickly and not selling it at all.
