Preparing to Sell Your Home: How do I Clear the Clutter When Staging my Home?

When it comes to home staging, less is more, and that includes clutter. Clutter is not only visually unappealing, but it makes the house feel smaller and less spacious. Additionally, clutter makes it difficult for prospective buyers to visualize their own furniture and belonging in the home -- a critical step to making a sale.

Follow these tips to make sure your home is completely free from clutter:

• Make sure the lawn, driveway and sidewalk are free of toys and other obstacles.
• Trim the hedges and keep the yard ornaments to a minimum.
• Trim low hanging branches or unruly hedges and make sure the area surrounding the house is easy to navigate and free of clutter.
• Inside, make sure toys, pet objects, dishes and other common eyesores are stored in their proper places.
• Organize closets, pantry and the laundry room. Many home sellers pick up the clutter around the house only to try to hide it away in closets. Yet prospective buyers almost always look inside the closet, pantry or other storage areas to determine if there is enough space for their own belongings.
• Clean out the shed, garage or other utility buildings. If your shed or garage is packed full, have a yard sale or rent storage space until the house is sold. Allow people to visualize a space for their own belongings.
• Don't forget small spaces like medicine cabinets, under the bathroom sink and in the refrigerator. These are common areas of clutter that should be clean and appealing.
• If you have outgrown your home, put some of your furniture and belongings in storage when showing the home.

If you need help organizing or staging your home, I can provide you with qualified resources. Call me at 317.777.1805 or email me at Scott@LacySells.com.