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Neutralize Your Home for Sale: A Simple Guide

By
Real Estate Agent with Better Living Real Estate, LLC 9152684

Make Your Space Welcoming to Buyers

 

Introduction

 

When it comes to selling your home, depersonalizing it can make a world of difference. Think about it—your home is full of memories and personal touches that tell your story, but potential buyers need a blank canvas to envision their future there. By neutralizing your personal space, you’re not just making room for someone else’s story; you’re also boosting your home’s appeal and potential selling price.

 

Let’s dive into how you can easily achieve this while keeping some important psychological aspects in mind.

 

Why Depersonalizing Matters

 

First, let’s look at what it means to depersonalize your home. It involves removing personal items like family photos, quirky decor, or anything that screams "you" in favor of a more neutral setup.

 

Here’s the trick: When buyers enter your home, they want to imagine themselves living there. Biophilia—the idea that humans crave nature—and neuroaesthetics—the study of how people perceive beauty—play major roles here. A well-neutralized space can create a calm, inviting atmosphere that appeals to those inherent desires.

 

Simple Ways to Depersonalize

 

Now that you understand why it’s important, how do you actually go about depersonalizing your home? Start with the walls. If your walls are painted in bold colors unique to your taste, consider a fresh coat of neutral paint. Light grays, soft beige, or crisp whites allow buyers to envision how they’d personalize their space. Remember, buyers find it easier to imagine their furnishings against a blank backdrop.

 

Next, move on to decor. Take down those beloved family photos and any quirky artwork that highlights your personality. While you adore that collection of vintage mugs, potential buyers may not share your enthusiasm. Instead, replace them with simple, stylish decor that hints at a lived-in vibe without too much personality. Think neutral art pieces, inviting plants, or a well-placed book on a coffee table. These small touches will help buyers imagine themselves in the space while keeping things universally appealing.

 

Embrace Biophilia and Neuroaesthetics

 

Bringing elements of biophilia into your home can truly elevate its appeal. Decorate with potted plants or fresh flowers. A simple touch like this not only makes your space feel more inviting but also connects buyers to nature, which they subconsciously crave. Studies suggest that homes with greenery can have a calming effect, making them more memorable and inviting.

 

Don’t underestimate the power of light, either. Natural light draws attention and emphasizes your home’s best features. Keep the curtains open during showings and consider creating bright, airy spaces. This aligns perfectly with the concept of neuroaesthetics, where beauty plays a vital role in appealing to people's senses.

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, taking the time to depersonalize your home can have a significant impact on how quickly it sells and how much it sells for. By creating a neutral environment that plays into the natural human inclination towards comfort and beauty, you’re not just selling a house—you’re inviting someone to imagine their new life there. The goal isn’t to strip your space of character; it’s about paving the way for someone new to see the potential in your home.

 

Ready to boost your home’s appeal? Start depersonalizing today and watch the interest grow. Follow me to learn more about how biophilia and neuroaesthetics can transform your home selling experience!

 

Posted by

 

Lew Corcoran
Licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Agent
Certified Listing Expert
Certified Real Estate Negotiator
RESA Certified Home Stager
Professional Real Estate Photographer
FAA Licensed Drone Pilot

Director, National Board of Directors,
Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)



Better Living Real Estate, LLC

15 Wall Street, #9157
Foxborough, MA 02035
O: (888) 877-8300
D: (508) 258-9658

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Comments(11)

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Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good Morning Lew Corcoran 

Depersonalization is a very important and basic truth when selling your home. If people leave your home knowing yoor family history, you have too much personal stuff on display.

May 22, 2025 08:13 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks so much for sharing that insight, Doug Dawes. I completely agree—creating a neutral space helps buyers envision their future, not get distracted by personal details. Appreciate your perspective! 😊

May 23, 2025 12:02 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Lew... so many homeowners are truly wedded to their decor... I spend a lot of time explaining to them that once they decide to sell they need to think of their home as a house and a commodity they are selling. 

May 22, 2025 08:17 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you for sharing that, Nina Hollander, Broker. It’s so true—sometimes letting go of personal style is the hardest part, but it really helps make the home more appealing to potential buyers. I appreciate your insight! 😊

May 23, 2025 12:03 AM
Vickie Teel
RE/MAX PALM REALTY - Port Charlotte, FL
Sharing Florida sunshine one homeowner at a time!

Hi Lew Corcoran -this post is a keeper and I’ll be bookmarking it for future use.  I love the way you described how the buyers need to “see it”.  I also LOVE the room photo you chose

May 22, 2025 08:44 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much, Vickie Teel! I’m glad you found it helpful, and I agree—the way buyers need to “see it” really makes all the difference. I appreciate your kind words about the photo, too—glad you liked it! 😊

May 23, 2025 12:04 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Lew Corcoran when it comes to preparing a home for sale, most of the time less is more.

May 22, 2025 09:55 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks for that, George Souto. I couldn’t agree more—keeping it simple often makes the biggest impact when it comes to selling a home. Appreciate your insight! 😊

May 23, 2025 12:06 AM
Dennis Neal
Exp Realty of Southern California, Inc. - Big Bear Lake, CA
Your Home Sold in 21 Days or We Sell It For Free

Lew, your "Neutralize Your Home for Sale: A Simple Guide" post is incredibly insightful. By explaining how depersonalizing creates a "blank canvas" for buyers and connecting it to concepts like biophilia and neuroaesthetics, you provide compelling reasons for sellers to adopt these strategies. Your actionable tips on paint, decor, and lighting make it a highly practical guide.

May 22, 2025 10:51 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much for your kind words, Dennis Neal. I’m glad the concepts resonated with you and that the practical tips are helpful—making a home appealing to buyers is all about creating that inviting, neutral space. I really appreciate your thoughtful feedback! 😊

May 23, 2025 12:07 AM
GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, make it a great Thursday and enjoy your long Holiday weekend, to many it starts at 5 pm today.!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

May 22, 2025 11:22 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you, Bill! I appreciate your kind words and hope you have a fantastic Thursday and an enjoyable holiday weekend as well!

May 23, 2025 12:08 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Lew, like Nina said, we do find many homeowners not willing to get rid of their prized possessions, and I remind them, you will need to pack them up eventually, might as well do it now.

May 22, 2025 12:55 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you for sharing that, Joan Cox. I completely agree—getting a head start on packing can really make the selling process smoother and less stressful. Appreciate your practical advice! 😊

May 23, 2025 12:09 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Keeping things simple is the way to go in my book and your guide does just that, while still addressing all of the important things!

May 23, 2025 05:14 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much for your kind words, Brian England. I truly appreciate your support and am glad the guide resonated with your approach—keeping it simple often makes the biggest impact!

May 23, 2025 10:40 AM
Joe Jackson
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Columbus, OH
Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert

It's great post, Thank you for sharing! 

 

Have a super fantastic week!

Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP

 

May 23, 2025 10:23 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you, Joe Jackson! I'm glad you found the information valuable, and I hope you have a super fantastic week as well!

May 23, 2025 10:43 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Lew- A seller I consulted was trying to hold on to the graphic they'd painted in their child's room. The  "child" was now grown and on their own. I suggested taking a picture of the graphic then framing it. 

May 23, 2025 12:41 PM
Lew Corcoran

Thanks for sharing this story, Kathy Streib. It's a great reminder that offering to take a picture often makes people more comfortable letting go of sentimental items. I’ve found that when I suggest snapping a photo or even taking one with them, they’re usually happy to go along with it. 📸 Appreciate your insight!

May 23, 2025 04:58 PM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

I always tell my sellers to start moving before we list. have a safe weekend.

May 24, 2025 07:05 AM
Lew Corcoran

Thank you so much for sharing your valuable advice, Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518—your proactive approach truly makes a difference. Wishing you a wonderful and safe weekend as well!

May 24, 2025 10:31 AM