One thing in previewing homes for sale for buyers or in listening to sellers who want to skip the step of decluttering or staging a home properly for sale that many don't understand is

Seeing Past The Mess Just Doesn't Happen.

It all has to do with your COMPETITION. A move in ready home priced equally or higher, that is neat as a pin, staged properly, no socks on the floor or charcoal bags or frogs floating in the algae laced pool, just comes across as that is the home they want. Not yours with the dirty plates all over the sink area.

Why people don't see this as common sense I don't know?

There is this thought that people know you will clean up before you move out and they can continue to be there messy selves until the place is sold. Somehow they need the disconnect that their lived in home is now a "product" and not just where they are living now. PLUS, that competition factor with other better staged and cleaned up homes.

And BTW, you may as well go take the for sale sign out of the front lawn if any "smells" are associated with your house like pet odor, or smells from smoking.

People do the biggest U-turn on houses with smells.

All common sense thoughts, but somehow the basics and the simplicity of it all escapes many.

Just a reminder to put your best face forward always otherwise why bother. You certainly don't need a Realtor or Stager in these instances.