Often the most difficult part of getting a home ready for sale is transforming it from a ‘home’ into a ‘house’… ready for a buyer to transform into their new ‘home’!
When you live in a home, your family pictures and the special treasures you have collected over the years (most of which likely have meaningful stories behind them) are what make your home cozy and comfortable. They are reflections of you and your life… often things you like to share and talk about with your guests.
This is precisely why it is a good idea to pack those items away when you are selling… why we call the first stage of getting ready to sell ‘decluttering’. It is not just referring to straightening a messy home. Even if very neat and tidy, when your home is filled with fascinating personal items potential buyers can get so caught up looking at them that they miss looking at the house itself.
The purpose of ‘decluttering’ is to remove ‘clutter’ from their minds created by looking at all YOUR stuff… so they can envision THEIR stuff in your house to make it THEIR cozy and comfortable new home.
Because of all the memories tied to your special treasures this is often a difficult step, but an important one that also prepares you for letting go of your home for the next owner to create and share their own memories.
I have had many clients tell me this process really helped them ‘let go’ of their current house because it no longer felt like their home. They were ready to shift their focus to their next home.
When you list your house for sale it ceases to be your home… it becomes a piece of real estate property for sale, a model house hoping to entice a potential buyer to transform it into their new home and love it as much as you have.
This time of year is a great time to focus on decluttering and de-personalizing your home to get it ready for sale in the new year. Want to talk to someone about how to get started? Need some help? Contact me for a no-obligation consultation for some ideas and resources.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com – 612-419-0560
