Buyers need to imagine themselves in your home. The less of "you" they see, the easier that becomes.

Every item is either helping sell your home or working against you. Cluttered homes sit on the market longer and sell for less. When buyers walk through, they're mentally moving in, but if every surface tells your story, there's no room for theirs. The goal isn't sterile; it's aspirational. You want buyers thinking "I could live here," not "someone else lives here."

The hardest part isn't the physical work, it's letting go. That family photo gallery makes your house feel lived-in by someone else. Those collectibles are visual noise to buyers assessing space and light. You're not erasing your life, you're packaging your home for sale. Everything you pack now is one less thing later, and every clear surface signals that this home is well-maintained, spacious, and ready for their fresh start.

When a buyer's attorney requests documentation during due diligence, you want to respond within hours, not days. Sellers who have everything organized upfront close faster and negotiate from a position of strength. Think of documentation as your home's resume. Those HVAC service records prove you've maintained the system. That permit for the deck addition shows the work was done legally. Every document tells buyers this home has been cared for.

Start gathering these documents now, even before you officially list. Create a dedicated folder and add items as you find them. If you're missing something critical like a survey or old permit, now is the time to track it down. In competitive situations, being the seller who has everything ready can be the difference between your offer being accepted over another comparable property.

Buyers make emotional decisions in the first eight seconds of entering your home. That means every showing needs to be perfect. Download our Showing Day Checklist for a quick routine that ensures your home looks, smells, and feels irresistible every single time.