When you put your home on the market, one of the first things you need to do is de-clutter. But you already know that.
But what do you do with your clutter? If you’re like most people, you may stick it in the best hiding place available: your closet(s).
Unfortunately, the closets are among the most important things to buyers looking for new digs. If the closet if stuffed to the gills, the message the buyer gets is “This home does not have enough storage.“
Here are some tips for eliminating the scare factor in your closets when your home is for sale:
- Empty your closet and thoroughly clean it – no cob webs or dust bunnies allowed!
- Pack away or donate seasonal and rarely worn items, especially bulky coats and sweaters.
- Too many shoes makes the space seem smaller. Pack shoes you rarely wear.
- Sort clothes by type: sleeveless together, short sleeve together, long sleeve together, etc. There should have enough space for hangers to glide somewhat freely across the rod.
- Use matching hangers for a uniform look. Eliminate unused hangers.
- Put a basket of scented soaps on the shelf to make it smell nice. A stale smelling closet is a turn off.
What to do with those shoes and items that take up too much space, but you can’t pack them away yet? Get plastic sweater boxes with lids, and slide them under your bed…out of sight.
Need more inspiration? Get some closet clutter busting tips here.
Here is a Myth vs. Fact article on de-cluttering on HowStuffWorks.com.
Putting your home on the market can be really intimidating – there is often much to do to prepare your home for sale and make it appealing to buyers. De-cluttering is the cheapest and often the most effective step to take!
Read more of my Tuesday Tips for Real Estate here.
Filed under: Home Sellers, Tuesday Tips | Tagged: declutter home, putting home on the market, Tuesday Tips




Hi Karen,
Great advice! I just wrote a blog myself about how home buyers breathe such a sigh of relief when they walk into a well put together home. I don’t know how it is back in NEPA, but we’re getting killed with these bank owned properties here in Las Vegas. The value of a well put together home can not be measured with some of these weary home buyers out here.
On a side note, I grew up near Wilkes-Barre (Dallas to be exact). I found your blog through ActiveRain. Do you stay mostly in the Wallenpaupack area? Let me know, I still have a lot of connections back east and I’m always looking for quality agents to refer to. Let me know what territory you cover and I’ll definitely keep you in mind!
All the best,
Mike Dobranski, REALTORĀ®
Prudential Americana Group, REALTORSĀ®
Las Vegas / Henderson, NV
702-370-3521
Mike@PrimeRealEstateLasVegas.com
http://www.PrimeRealEstateLasVegas.com
Mike, thanks so much! I will be in touch.