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The Battle Against Clutter

A lot of people have it....

Not many know what to do with it...

Some people thrive on it...

Home buyers hate it...

I am talking about clutter. Clutter can be a lot of knick knacks or too many pieces of furniture. Clutter can be a Hummel collection or piles of magazines on the floor. Clutter can be a closet filled four seasons of clothing or bookcases crammed with books. What home buyers hate about clutter is that they are so distracted by it, that they have a hard time actually seeing the house they are considering buying.

When you are selling your home, the first step before any actual Staging can begin is to de-clutter. I warn you - this will initially seem like a very daunting task - but you can do it!

Follow our step-by-step plan and win the war against clutter once and for all!

Step One - Say out loud "I want to sell my house and move!" Declaring this will put you in the right frame of mind to accomplish the next set of tasks.
Step Two - Obtain boxes and packing materials. Yes, you are going to pack away these items, you are moving right?
Step Three - Do only one room at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself, do one room at a time or one room a day, whichever your feel that you can accomplish.
Step Four - Remove all "collections". I understand that these items are important to you, and I am not asking you to get rid of them. I simply want you to pack them away until you can enjoy them in your new home.
Step Five - Remove all personal photos/items. Yes, I think your granddaughter is beautiful too, but I am sure you have photos of her in your wallet or album that you can enjoy. Buyers want to envision their family in this space - not see yours.
Step Six - Remove exactly half of the pieces of furniture in the room. You will instantly see how much space this will create in any room. The buyers will appreciate this space and will add value for them.
Step Seven - Tape up the boxes and store them. Please try to store them in a clean organized manner and not in the garage. If your home does not have enough space for this extra store, please consider renting a storage unit.
Step Eight - Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Posted by Cari Pilon, RE:STYLE Home Staging on 10/20/2007 09:51 PM

Comments (12)

home staging, clutter, decluttering, selling your home

This post has been included in Michigan Information Livingston County, MI Information

12 Comments on The Battle Against Clutter

OCT

2007

When sellers understand that their treasures (clutter) is costing them sales and money they will get rid of it (sometimes).

Oh yes... clutter for the collectors. I can't tell you how many times a home sold as soon as the clutter was packed away into a storage unit!

I think you have a lot of positive tips here. A lot of people say -- get rid of clutter -- Now the seller knows what to do.

Good article. I can't believe how poor some agents are at explaining to their clients about the importance of getting rid of clutter and all the "extra" stuff.

Vicki, How about we send you all the clutter and you can auction it off! My Dad lives near Knoxville and just sold his aution business about a year ago. Now he works at Dollywood :)

Paul, Even if you aren't selling, collections look horrible when they are out of control. It is interesting that people cannot see that (they must never dust)

Thanks Joan, I've had some clients in the past that just couldn't do it! I had to literally bring boxes and bubble wrap and tell them which room we were going to start in. Sometimes people need you to take charge because it overwhelms them.

You are right Carol, I've had Realtors tell me that they have already spoken with their client about the clutter situation and they won't do it. I speak with the client and before you know it we are moving sofas into the basement!

I think clutter can multiple faster than rabbits.

You are right Johnny! I think magazine and catalogs actually breed with each other. Piles and piles and it is difficult to convince the seller that all the info is available online - they don't need the print version.

I think sellers are becoming more open to the suggestion of getting rid of their clutter. I always tell them they've got to pack anyway, so start now.

OCT

2007

Clutter does multiply! Too many people pack it up and take it along for the next house. It never gets unpacked and becomes mystery boxes. As a stager that is not my problem as long as it is out of the staged home but as a compassionate person - I do try to help them let go of the things that are broken, used, unloved etc.

OCT

2007

Morning, Cari,

Another problem with the clutter factor is that even if the home gets an offer, it can very difficult for the home inspector. I know I don't move a seller's personal effects to do the insppection. If I can't get to it to inspect it, I call it out on the report. I hate to have to do it, but I won't be liable for damaging or breaking someone's personal items that may have irreplaceable memories associated with them.

That is an excellent point Kenneth, sellers may be penalized if you can't do your job the way you need too.

Hi Kathleen,I have to admit I have a couple of mystery boxes from when we moved last. Once in a while I will open them, but then I don't feel like dealing with it so I close it back up - lol - I guess I should take my own advice!

Right Lisa,but there are still the "clingers" that thing although we are only recommending that we pack the items, they think we are making them get rid of them and are resistant.

Cari - I have a few of those mystery boxes myself.

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