When selling your home, presentation is everything. The way your home looks and feels when a potential buyer walks in can make or break their interest. To sell your home faster and at the best price, here are 10 things you should remove before listing.
Buyers need to see themselves living in your home, and personal photos, family names, or career-related items can prevent that. Your memories, diplomas, and family portraits make the house feel like your home rather than a blank slate where someone else can imagine living. Removing these items allows buyers to visualize their own lives in the space, which is key to making them emotionally invested in the property.
If you have devices that record video or audio—such as Ring doorbells, Alexa, or Google Home—be aware that potential buyers may feel uncomfortable knowing they’re being recorded. Some states even require you to disclose the presence of recording devices. To avoid privacy concerns, it’s often best to unplug or remove these systems temporarily.
Your home will be open to many people, either through online listings or in-person viewings. Anything of value—jewelry, electronics, or personal documents—should be removed or hidden. Not only does this protect your belongings, but it also keeps potential buyers from being distracted by items that could raise questions about wealth or security.
While it’s rare for someone to rifle through cabinets during a showing, it’s still a risk. Medications, bills, bank statements, and checkbooks should be securely stored or removed. You want to eliminate any temptation and ensure that no sensitive information is left out in plain sight.
Even if firearms are safely stored, their presence can make buyers uncomfortable. Additionally, if any weapons or safes are visible in listing photos, they can draw the wrong kind of attention. Whether it’s hunting equipment or archery gear, pack these items away and keep them out of sight. This ensures a neutral, safe atmosphere for buyers.
You may feel strongly about your beliefs, but when selling your home, it’s best to create a neutral space. Political signs, religious symbols, or flags could alienate potential buyers with different views. By packing away these items, you make the home feel more welcoming to everyone, ensuring buyers focus on the space, not your personal opinions.
If you’re selling due to a life change, like a divorce or job loss, avoid leaving signs that show this. Empty closets, sparse furniture, or papers left out that indicate financial trouble may give buyers leverage to offer less, thinking you’re desperate to sell. Stage the home so it looks as if the current owners are happy and stable, making buyers feel more confident in their offer.
Though pets are part of the family, not everyone feels the same way about them. Some buyers may have allergies or simply not like animals, and evidence of pets—like toys, food bowls, or even odors—can make them uncomfortable. To create a more appealing environment, remove pets during showings and hide any pet-related items.
In areas where hunting is common, it’s not unusual to find mounted animal heads or taxidermy displays. However, these can be off-putting to buyers who don’t share the same interests. Removing these items ensures your home appeals to the widest possible audience, as many buyers might be turned off by the sight of animals on display.
Buyers don’t want to walk into a home that feels incomplete. If they see unfinished projects—whether it’s a half-painted wall or an uninstalled fixture—they might overestimate the cost and effort needed to finish them, leading to lower offers. Additionally, incomplete work can create the impression that the home has been poorly maintained. Prioritize finishing any outstanding tasks before listing.
By taking the time to remove these items, you’re setting your home up for success. A clean, neutral, and well-staged space allows buyers to imagine their future in your home—making it more likely they’ll offer top dollar.
