It takes work to make a house a home, and it also takes work to make a home a house.

Jim, I always tell them to turn their house into a Crate and Barrel showroom.  A place that anyone can imagine themselves living in instead of wondering who already lives there

Jim, good point. Never thought of it that way.  Two things I would add to your list is clear the clutter, and take all the cute pictures and schedules stuck with magnets off the fridge.  Have a grat day.

Good point on turning it back into a house to sell.

I've never thought of it in those terms but you're exactly right.  They do have to turn it back into a house. A model house would be nice.

Hi Jim - What a wonderful way to put it.  I always have my sellers pack away their personal stuff, but the way you say it is very clear and easy for them to understand.

Jim, you're absolutely right...it does take work to make your home a house.  I think it can be quite difficult to make some sellers do this as well.  They need to detach themselves from the property to sell it successfully.  Thanks for your post!

Great reminder about the emotional detachment required to effectively change the home enough that it will be appealing to the masses, and visitors won't feel as if they're intruding on your private space when they come in.

Hey Jim, great tips with up keeping the home for better selling opportunities.  Landscaping is on my priority list this summer :)

very simple yet effective advice, Jim.  well said!

Jim....I love your point about turning a house into a home, and then returning it to a house when it's time to sell.  Great advice.

Good points Jim. I'll be remembering that way of delivering the news...Make it work people!

Well said Jim. Your explanation is simple and direct. Just because someone collects (everything) doesn't mean the person looking at the house would have the same interest. Remove the clutter and collectibles so the interested party can take a look at the house and not what's in it.

iNTERESTING PLAY ON WORDS IN YOUR SUBJECT LINE. I like. THanks for sharing

Some of the homes i see here will astound you. They need to read this blog.

This often times is the hardest idea to convey to someone who has made this house their "home". Emotions intertwine with the sale and are hard to untangle. Once they understand that, it makes it much easier to point out the potential "turn-offs" to a buyer!