When you're preparing your home for viewings or show days, it's not just about tidying up or adding fresh flowers, it’s also about protecting your privacy and strengthening your negotiating position.
And one of the most important steps you can take is to remove personal items and any documents that may reveal confidential information and you or your family members. These include mail, bills or bank statements that might hint at your financial position or motivation for selling – or might enable someone to glean enough information about you to steal your identity and run up big debts in your name. There’s always a risk that showday visitors are not who they appear to be.
For the same reasons you should never leave your cellphone lying round or your computer or laptop open and running when prospective buyers are viewing your home, even if you don’t expect them to be there long.
Buyers are naturally curious - especially about your reasons for selling your property - and even small details such as a credit card bill on the counter, a framed degree certificate, an overheard conversation or a single set of clothes in the ensuite dressing room can paint a picture of your lifestyle, income or relationship status.
Read more: Tips for First-Time Property Sellers
If a buyer suspects you're under financial pressure, in a hurry to move, or going through a life change such as divorce, they may be more inclined to make a lower offer, hoping you'll accept out of urgency.
Besides financial clues, family photographs, religious items, books and even your music collection can also all unintentionally reveal personal details that distract from what you are really selling: a home that you want as many prospective buyers as possible to find appealing on its own merits.
Indeed, your goal should be to present a clean, neutral space where potential buyers can imagine themselves living. Think of it as creating a blank canvas that invites their imagination, not one filled with clues about your version of the good life.
In short, decluttering isn't just about aesthetics, it’s also a smart selling strategy that keeps the focus on the property and the features that will persuade prospective buyers that this is the one for them.
