We’ve all watched at least one episode of Hoarders, The Home Edit or other similar TV shows involving decluttering. Like watching a person being made over, the payoff in the end is seeing the transformation. That gorgeous, confident person (or room) was always there, they just needed to be brought into the light!
Image: California Closets
Yes, decluttering is difficult and can even be painful. But if you’re selling your home, it is imperative. Leonard Steinberg from Compass says, “Any kind of clutter or piles of 'stuff' is a distraction to prospective buyers or tenants.”
Here are some of the messages Leonard says your clutter sends to prospective buyers:
These people have run out of space. Maybe the place is too small? Is there insufficient storage?
This place needs lots of WORK! It looks used and dated. I bet I have to spend LOTS to make it look good again.
I bet no one else can see what 'lies beneath'....which may allow me to bid lower and pay less.
The clutter draws attention away from the positives of the property: the spaces, the views, the light. It will either turn the buyer off altogether or lead them to make a lower offer.
Think of it this way: a well-designed and organized retail space always commands higher pricing than a messy one where you must go “on the hunt” to find a deal.
There’s a popular women’s clothing brand that has a store close to my home. This store either has too much traffic or not enough staff to keep it organized – despite being in what is considered a high-end mall. I never find anything that I like and rarely buy there. But, when I go to other stores of the same brand, I always find things that I like and buy. The same styles, the same prices, but I spend my money in the store that does the better job of showcasing their merchandise, every time.
When selling your home, you want to get the best offer possible. Which means that you need to make it easier for the buyer to visualize what they can do with your spaces. “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure” has no place in this equation. Says Steinberg: Every time a seller says to me: "But I love my 4 foot pile of magazines!", I respond with: "Great, so every time you look at that pile of magazines think at least $15,000 in a lower price!"
We recently decluttered and styled a home for sale that wound up getting a top dollar offer in 3 days. Check it out here. If you are thinking of selling your home, call us, we can help you make it shine.
Clutter draws attention away from the positives of the property: the spaces, the views, the light. It will either turn the buyer off altogether or lead them to make a lower offer.
Comentarios