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Do you want people to be wowed by your valuable items, or wowed by your home?
While your home is on the market, there are certain people who are going to enter your home, at reasonable times.
- Buyers
- Buyers Agents
- Agents From My Office
- Brokers
- Inspectors
- Contractors
- Appraisers
- Etc.
You have already made efforts to de-clutter and de-personalize your home, but now it is time to take the extra step in getting your home ready. That would be removing or locking up valuable items.
The birthday gifts. The Christmas presents. The items you take pride in. The items that you cherish. There are many reasons why is it important to remove or lock up these items from your home.
Safety
You want people to feel safe in your home. You want people to be safe in your home.
Protection
You want to protect your identity, personal information, and anything else you cherish in your home.
Emotions
If these items truly bring you joy, and you would be heartbroken if they were gone, then show them the most care. Pack them up. Lock them up. Remove them.
Value
These items may not hold emotional value, but they may hold monetary value. You may have spent big bucks on these items. You may have invested in these items. Don’t you want to protect those items?
First Impression
I can not tell you how many times I have seen the designer handbags, expensive perfumes, and expensive jewelry, with their boxes proudly displayed in closets, bedrooms, and bathrooms. People recognize this symbol, and they associate it with money. People look at these items, and they may think “Wow, I know they have money.” Sometimes, I have even seen wads of cash ($20 dollar bills and even $100 dollar bills) on the dresser. People see that, they note it, and they won’t forget it. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.
This is why I recommend doing this PRIOR to having your home live on the market.
Having these valuable items packed up FIRST, not last.
Items to Remove Prior to Showing Your Home
- Anything You Assign Value to (Emotional or Monetary)
- Artwork
- Cellphones and Boxes
- Credit Cards
- Designer Bags and Boxes
- Financial Documents
- Fine Jewelry
- Firearms
- Heirlooms
- Laptops and Boxes
- Listing Agreement
- Money
- Political Items
- Prescription Drugs
- Sentimental Items
- Tablets and Boxes
- Weapons
How Often Does This Need to Be Done?
I recommend everyday until you close on your home. You receive mail every day. You may take your jewelry off every day. You may take medicine every day. Before you leave your home for the day, or before the appointment, continue to make sure your home is show ready. If that means locking up jewelry, meds, firearms, etc. every day, then that means doing it every day.
Really? Really.
They buyer may have inspections done. Don’t you want to make the inspectors job easier?
If the buyer is going to require financing, they most likely will need an appraisal. Don’t you want your home to look its absolute best when the appraiser is determining the value of your home?
Plus, remember, you are eventually going to be moving out of your home anyway. So, you are going to have to pack your stuff up anyway. By removing these valuable items from your home, this can help keep buyers FOCUSED on your home, and not one your stuff.
Kelly Raulston
“Reliable and Ready” REALTOR® since 2016. I was born in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, but was raised in Texas since 1997. When I found out we were moving to Plano, Texas, I remember looking forward to riding a horse to school and a brand-new pair of cowboy boots! Growing up in Plano prepared me to be competitive, quick, and to have a strong work ethic.
I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Axe’em Jacks! That is where my love for East Texas began. The nature, warm smiles, football games, and community values can't be beat! I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. I was a middle school math teacher in Tyler, Texas. I met my husband, Travis, in Sunday school, and we have been married since September 2016.
I love being a REALTOR® in East Texas! Relationships are genuine, the area is beautiful, and the market is rockin’! I am an involved REALTOR® to better the community. Some of the organizations I am involved with are: The Professional Development Committee, Texas Real Estate Political Action Committee, and Tyler Educational Networking Group. Some awards I have won were “The Hustle Award” in 2016, and “Rookie of the Year” in 2017.
When I am not working with my clients, I like to spend quality time with my friends and family doing the following: running, target practice, read and participate in book club, and playing with my dachshund Greta.
