10 ways to avoid being a clutter bug

The most important piece of advice for preparing for any inspection is to tidy up and get all the clutter out of sight.

An untidy house can undo all the great work required to get buyers through your home and even consider making an offer.

Confronting your emotional attachment to your niece’s pottery, which sits proudly on the coffee table, or the Thredbo snowglobe is part of the de-clutter journey. Some people can’t do it and need help. So, be honest with yourself. 

Getting this basic step of the selling process wrong can deny you multiple buyers. Don’t short change yourself and remember, you can store items; not everything has to be thrown out. 

10 tips to cope:

  • Create space and value: Buyers value space – it’s a major price driver. De-cluttering your home creates space and, therefore, delivers value. That’s why you do it.
  • Take out the emotion: Buyers are interested in the property, not your personal effects. So hiding your treasures away benefits everyone.
  • Use a helping hand: De-cluttering can be hard. A professional takes away the stress of and gives you back time that can be used to improve your home in other ways. They have a great eye for what can stay and must go. Your agent will know the right person. 
  • Get it sorted: Consider using a method to manage the process, perhaps splitting possessions into categories such as, “keep”, “store”, “donate”, “sell” and “throw”. It will make every decision so much easier.
  • No map required: You’ll find clutter everywhere. Knick-knacks and souvenirs from holidays are usually scattered on shelving units and dressing tables. Larger possessions without a home will often be stashed in corners of rooms or under beds. Store these away and you’ll be amazed at the space you create.
  • Bedroom bliss: Size and space are the first elements a buyer considers when they step into a bedroom. Create the right impression with simple white linen and a clutter-free dressing table. Focus on any walk-in wardrobes. Take some clothes out to give the impression of space.  
  • Surfaces love space: Whether it is a kitchen benchtop, or a desk in the home-office, clean and clear surfaces create an excellent impression of space. Double-down on flat surfaces in the kitchen and bathrooms.
  • Food for thought: Don’t overload your pantry, as this will give the impression of inadequate space. Space on the pantry shelves will leave a positive impression of size. This holds for other cupboards, too.
  • Fridge magnets: It’s au revoir, not goodbye, but get them out of sight until your home is sold!
  • Word to the wise: Recycle all the old magazines and newspapers that you’ve been meaning to read but have never got to. Make sure your bookshelves are neat and donate any titles you don’t want. 
  • Box it up: Buy storage boxes and put your precious belongings safely away so you can find them when you move into your next home. If you can take the boxes off-site, then that would be ideal.