I went on a listing appointment a couple of weeks ago for a client selling a house. Half of the tour around the home was about the house. The other half of the tour was about the memories.

The photos on the walls in every room retold highlights from a quinceañera and other family milestones. The grounds also had a tale to tell through historical remnants from the community’s development. Every story added to what made the house a home.

From Home to Hotel

When prepping a home for sale, I talk about turning it back into a house. It’s my way of getting the owner to separate from it so that a buyer can emotionally connect. When buyers are looking at houses, they want to make memories. So, turning it into a more neutral hotel-type vibe, helps them see their future home instead of walking through someone else’s. Home buyers look forward to creating their memories.

Staging a Home for Sale – Depersonalize your Home

Depersonalizing your home is a crucial step when preparing it for sale. It’s about creating a blank canvas that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space, rather than seeing it as your home. 

1. Remove Personal Photos and Memorabilia:

Pack them away: This is an important step. Family photos, travel souvenirs, children’s artwork, and personal collections should all be packed and stored away.  
Why it matters: Buyers need to imagine their memories being made in the house, not be distracted by yours.

2. Declutter and Organize:

Less is more: Clutter makes rooms look smaller.  Feng Shui principles suggest it can also make people feel overwhelmed. Go through every room and closet, and remove anything you don’t need, use, or love.  Shoot for at least 30% of open space in closets.  It will make them appear bigger.  
Why it matters: A clean, organized home feels more spacious and inviting. It also shows pride of ownership.

3. Neutralize The Decor:

Paint: If you have brightly colored walls or bold wallpaper, consider repainting in neutral tones like beige, gray, or white.
Soft furnishings: Replace brightly colored or patterned bedding, curtains, and rugs with neutral options. 
Why it matters: Neutral colors appeal to a wider range of buyers and allow them to envision their style in the space.  Fewer patterns make photos look cleaner and less busy.

4. Minimize Personal Items:

Religious items: While your faith is important, consider removing religious symbols or decor to appeal to buyers of all backgrounds. Again, the goal is a blank canvas.
Political items: Similarly, remove any political signs, or flags.
Why it matters: You want to avoid alienating potential buyers who may have different beliefs than you.  This includes your favorite sports teams too.

5. Stage with Neutral Items:

Add warmth: Once you’ve removed personal items,  add some neutral decor to make the home feel more welcoming. Think about plants, candles, simple artwork, and cozy throws.  I’ve seen a lot of homes use fruit for staging in kitchens.  Keep in mind it has a short shelf life.
Less is still more: Don’t overdo it with the staging. Keep the decor minimal and focused on highlighting the home’s best features.
Why it matters: Staging helps buyers visualize how to use the space, but it should still be neutral enough to appeal to a wide range of tastes.  

6. Don’t Forget the Exterior:

Curb appeal: Depersonalizing isn’t just about the inside of the home. Make sure your yard is tidy and well-maintained.
Remove personal touches: Take down any personal decorations or banners from the yard.
Why it matters: First impressions are crucial. You want buyers to be impressed from the moment they see the house. Again in photos, lawn art and flags can make the yard look cluttered.  You want the house and landscaping to be front and center.

7. Think like a buyer:  Try to see your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. 

Get feedback: Ask friends or family members for their opinion on how well you’ve depersonalized.  I get it, it’s personal and can be emotional which is hard to separate from.

It’s temporary: Remember that depersonalizing is just a temporary step to help you sell your home. You are setting the intent to move, so there’s no time like the present to start packing some items.  You’ll be unpacking them soon enough.

Selling a home is a numbers game. 

By following these tips, you can effectively depersonalize your home and make it more appealing to a wider range of buyers, ultimately increasing your chances of a successful sale.

Detaching from a Home

Depersonalizing can help you separate from a home which helps when looking at it from a financial standpoint, especially during negotiations. Detaching from a home can be emotionally draining even when you want to move. Having no time to say goodbye to all that defines one is heartbreaking.

I am sending my deepest condolences to the people of California and everyone across the country who never got to say goodbye.