CHAPTER 7 The Three D's
DEPERSONALIZE
Staging is readying the home to show potential buyers, so you'll need to encourage them to see living in the house, not your home. Depersonalizing the home involves removing personal items, such as
photos, trophies, and collectibles. Knickknacks and wall decor are personal taste items that may distract buyers from seeing the home as theirs. It’s not personal, but not many people will appreciate your beer can collection, antique kitchen accessories, overstuffed closets, VHS/CD/DVD/records collection, and general clutter except you. Simplify and neutralize your home as if it were a model home because that’s precisely what it is while it’s on the market. Pack and store your treasured items out of sight. Consider monthly rented storage units until your home sells. Make your home a clean, welcoming, blank canvas upon which any buyer can visually paint their dreams. It should not feel like your home while you show the house.
DECLUTTER AND DISCARD
It is understandably inconvenient to live in your home without your “stuff ” — it’s like living in a hotel. However, it’s necessary to 46
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