Do you want to sell your home faster than your neighbors?
Every homeowner wants to sell their home for top dollar without languishing on the market for months. After all, a fast sale means:
- Less stress and uncertainty
- More money in your pocket
Here’s the problem: Most sellers focus on all the wrong things. They spend thousands on unnecessary renovations and over-the-top staging while ignoring the one factor that can make or break their sale.
Decluttering.
Without proper decluttering, even the most expensive staging is a waste of money.
The truth is that cluttered homes spend more time on the market and sell for less money. But when you learn the art of decluttering, you can dramatically reduce your time on market and increase your final sale price.
And here’s the kicker…
96% of agents say decluttering is the #1 thing a seller should do before listing.
When homeowners are looking for fair home cash offers, they want properties that feel move-in ready and spacious.
If your home is cluttered with personal items and excess belongings, buyers won’t be able to see past it.
So take a deep breath and get ready to learn how to declutter like a pro…
What’s Inside
- The Science Behind Decluttered Home Sales
- Room-by-Room Decluttering Blueprint
- Fast-Track Decluttering Methods
- Common Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid
The Science Behind Decluttered Home Sales
Decluttering isn’t just about making your home look nicer.
Decluttering is also about the power of psychology and the real estate market numbers don’t lie.
Buyers make emotional decisions first and then find logical reasons to justify them. When they enter a cluttered house, their eyes and brains are immediately drawn to the mess and don’t see your home’s best features.
Staged homes sell 73% faster than unstaged properties.
Guess what the first step to staging a home is?
Decluttering.
Buyers can’t see themselves living in a home that’s not move-in ready. When your home is cluttered, buyers can’t imagine their belongings in the space. They see your stuff on every surface and think “there’s no room for my things.”
But, when you declutter properly, it has a magical effect:
- Rooms look bigger and more spacious
- Buyers can imagine their furniture in each room
- Your home feels move-in ready
- Natural light flows more freely throughout your home
The numbers don’t lie. Homes that follow decluttering best practices spend just 23 days on the market. Compare that to the 184 days cluttered homes spend before selling.
Pretty impressive, right?
Room-by-Room Decluttering Blueprint
Most people approach decluttering all wrong.
They try to declutter the whole house in one day, get overwhelmed, and give up before making much progress.
Here’s a better way.
Focus on one room at a time using the professional stager’s secret “Four Box Method”.
The Four Box Method
Grab four boxes and label them:
- Keep – Items that belong in this room
- Relocate – Things that belong in another room
- Donate – Items in good condition you no longer need or use
- Trash – Broken or worn-out items
Work methodically through each room and put every single item into one of these boxes.
Start With High-Impact Rooms
Start with these high-impact rooms first:
Living Room Remove personal photos, excess furniture, and decorative items. Keep only essential pieces that show off the room’s size.
Kitchen Clear all countertops except for one or two appliances. Remove magnets and papers from the refrigerator.
Master Bedroom Create a hotel-like atmosphere by removing personal items from nightstands and dressers. Make sure closets appear spacious by removing at least 30% of the clothes.
Bathrooms Remove all personal toiletries from counters and shower areas. Keep towels fresh and minimal.
The “One-Third Rule”
Here’s a secret decluttering trick used by professional stagers:
Take at least one-third of everything out of every room.
That includes furniture pieces, decorative items, books and magazines, kitchen gadgets, and clothes in closets.
By following the one-third rule, you instantly create the spacious look and feel buyers are looking for.
Fast-Track Decluttering Methods
Don’t have weeks to spend decluttering?
Here are three super-quick decluttering strategies that work:
The Weekend Warrior Method
Commit to decluttering one major room each Friday evening, focusing on high-traffic areas Saturday morning, bedrooms and bathrooms Saturday afternoon, then final touches on Sunday.
The 15-Minute Daily Method
Set a timer for 15 minutes every day and focus on one small area at a time. Work through kitchen counters, living room surfaces, bedroom nightstands, bathroom counters, and entryway surfaces throughout the week.
The “Moving Day” Approach
Pack up and move like you’re moving tomorrow. Put everything you don’t absolutely need in boxes and put them in the garage or basement.
Pick an approach that works with your schedule and be consistent.
Common Decluttering Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Over-Personalizing
Pack away family photos and unique collectibles. Personal touches distract buyers from seeing themselves in the space.
Mistake #2: Hiding Clutter in Closets
Buyers open every closet and drawer. Stuffing clutter into storage spaces creates a worse first impression than leaving it out.
Mistake #3: Decluttering Without Deep Cleaning
Decluttering and cleaning go hand in hand. You need to do a deep clean of every surface after removing excess items.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Storage Areas
Garages, basements, and attics matter too. Buyers want to see usable storage space available.
Mistake #5: Rushing the Process
Good decluttering isn’t fast. It’s a thoughtful decision-making process for what to keep vs. remove. Rushing means keeping too much.
Creating Your Decluttering Timeline
Start the decluttering process 4-6 weeks before listing your home.
Begin with less emotional areas like bathrooms, guest rooms, and utility spaces first. Then move onto your main living areas and the kitchen 3-4 weeks out. Bedrooms and personal spaces should be tackled 2-3 weeks before listing. Finish with final touches and deep cleaning the final week.
The Decluttering Payoff
Decluttering your home isn’t just busywork to make your home look nice.
Decluttering is a strategic investment that provides a real return. By properly decluttering before listing, you set your home up to:
- Sell faster than competing properties
- Attract more qualified buyers
- Command a higher sale price
- Reduce negotiation points with buyers
The average expense of decluttering supplies and donation runs costs less than $200. But the return on that small investment can be thousands of dollars in your final sale price.
Remember:
Buyers are shopping for a lifestyle, not just a house. When your home is properly decluttered, you help them clearly envision that lifestyle.
Making It All Come Together
Decluttering your home for a fast sale isn’t complicated but it does require a commitment and the right approach.
By following the room-by-room blueprint shared above and avoiding the common mistakes, you can transform your home into a magnet for buyers.
The key is starting early and staying consistent with your decluttering efforts. Don’t wait until the week before listing to begin this process.
Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you for taking decluttering seriously.
After all, in today’s competitive real estate market, every advantage counts.
Decluttering might just be the easiest advantage you can give yourself.
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