When it’s time to sell your home, you want it to look its absolute best – even better than when you first moved in. Staging is a crucial step to attract buyers and get your home off the market fast. But before adding any new decor or doing a fresh coat of paint, the most important thing is to declutter the place, and that starts with the exterior. Curb appeal is a huge factor for potential buyers. Your home’s exterior is the very first thing they’ll see, and any excess signage, decor, tools, or furniture just doesn’t set the right tone. In fact, it can be a real turnoff. Exterior clutter can also make your property seem like it needs more work than it actually does. In reality, a quick evening of junk removal might be all your home needs to be move-in ready, but a buyer might assume an entire front porch and landscaping overhaul is required. Buyers also tend to make assumptions about a home’s overall condition based on how well-maintained the outside looks. Luckily, there are just a few simple steps to get that exterior decluttered.
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Quick Clutter Fixes to Prepare Your Home for Showing
Simple steps to declutter the exterior of your home
Julia Kozlov/Getty Images Start by tackling your front yard, since that’s what buyers will see first. Go through and clear out any items that are worn, unused, or broken – things like a duct-taped garden hose, a faded welcome mat, an empty planter, or a stained patio cushion. These are just eyesores that need to go. Also, make sure to put away any tools, equipment, and toys. Store them out of sight in the garage, shed, basement, or a spare closet – just make sure they’re neatly organized, not just moved around.
When it comes to decor, less is definitely more. While a porch with some hanging plants and a nice swing can look great, too many decorations will just create clutter and make your home feel overly personal. Buyers want to be able to picture themselves living there, so a more blank canvas is best. Clear the walkways and driveways too – get rid of any bulky path lights, garden gnomes, or planters that add visual clutter and make the home seem less accessible.
Use the same decluttering method for the sides and back of your property – get rid of junk, stow away any goods, and remove excess decor. Once you’ve cleared it all out, you’ll be able to clean the exterior properly, which is another crucial step for effective home staging.
