Keeping your house clean is important in every sale. But first-timers are likely selling smaller houses, and clutter can mean the difference between cozy and cramped.
Clearing the clutter is "something we spent two to three weeks doing before we brought anyone in," says Foltz. While they believed their home would show better furnished, they also wanted to pare down all the nonessential pieces. And they stored the "leftovers" in the garage.
Before they put it on the market, the Foltzes asked their agent's opinion. "We told him we're willing to do whatever you want," Foltz says. The agent's recommendation: Get rid of the bedroom dresser to make the room feel more spacious.
Kitchen and bathroom countertops are another hot spot that many sellers forget to clear. The same chaos that represents your normal routine makes your house seem messy, disorganized and uninviting to buyers.
However, you don't want to remove all traces of human existence, says Combs. "Decluttering is good. But I'm not a big fan of taking all of your personal stuff out." Mementos and photos make a house feel like a home, she says. "Don't neutralize it so that it's sterile."