Depersonalizing when selling is something that home sellers hear about, but might difficult as to what specifically it really means. I hear from sellers all the time “I started taking down all the family pictures.” Yes, this is part of the depersonalizing that is needed, but it goes beyond the pictures.
It’s Personal, why remove it when selling?
We all know that the pictures are personal because they are of your friends and family members, people you love. When selling a house, you want the house to be the center of attention and not personal items. Memories are in everyone’s home, but now that the decision has been made to sell the house, it’s time to showcase the house.
Beyond the pictures there are typically many objects that have sentimental value, are taste specific and can be distractions to the selling process. Your goal when selling is to showcase the house so when buyers looking at your house, can see themselves living in the house. Now that you have chosen to put the house on the market it is a product that needs to appeal to buyers.
How to showcase a house
To showcase a house, it begins with repairs and cleaning. Repairs such as leaky faucets, caulk around the tub, wood floors that are scratched, doors that squeak etc. should be addressed. Cleaning means every surface in the house. Think of when you sell your car, detailing helps retain the value a little more, correct? Do the same to your house.
Next is the depersonalization. What is personal?
- Pictures of family and friends – You can still have them up if the face is not the focus of the picture. Think of portraits, wedding pictures, family portraits; you want the buyers concentrating on the house, not on who currently lives in it.
- Color – the color on your walls is a personal choice. You need to make it neutral. A neutral background showcases the house, not your personal taste. Fresh paint is also bang for the buck and falls into the cleaning of all surfaces. Buyers love fresh, neutral painted walls
- Furniture – This can be a little hard because to purchase new when selling might feel like an unnecessary expense. I see it is an investment that you can take with you. But keeping your furniture neutral- and fitting to the size of the room allows you to showcase your house better. Working with a stager we can help you with placement and editing, as well as suggestions that will allow buyers to see themselves in the living spaces.
- Touchakis – These scream personal, editing is essential. They help make your house a home and will look fabulous in your next house. But now is the time to edit and start packing because it will make it easier to deal with all the showings, and moving.
- Drapery and curtains – When decorating these are elements that create an ambiance in the room. When selling, your goal is to keep the rooms light and bright. Heavy swags and drapes block the light. Consider removing or at least just having side panels on your windows.
Being objective is hard when you are selling your home. Of course, those personal things are what made it feel like home. Every one of those objects can be used in your next home, but when it is time to sell, your home is a house on the market in competition with many others. You need to optimize your house to sell quickly, get a strong offer. By depersonalizing, buyers can see themselves in their next home.
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