8 Things You Should Always Toss If You Want to Sell Your Home Fast, Real Estate Pros Say
When it comes to selling your home quickly, first impressions matter—and what buyers see (or don’t see) can make all the difference. Real estate professionals agree that a clutter-free, neutral, and inviting space helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the space.
That’s why experienced agents and home staging pros often recommend removing certain items that could distract, overwhelm, or turn off prospective buyers. Before listing your home for sale, here are the top eight things real estate professionals suggest removing for a quick sale.
Family Photos
You’ve probably heard this one before, but it’s still worth noting. All three real estate experts agreed that family photos should be hidden away before your home is listed for sale.
Removing these personal items helps make the house feel more neutral, which can make it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves living in it.
Pet Items
Your pets are a beloved part of your family, but not everyone is an animal lover. The presence of pets in a home can be off-putting for some people, raising questions about cleanliness, allergies, or general wear and tear of the house, says Stacie Staub, CEO, realtor, and broker at West + Main.
Real estate experts recommend hiding pet supplies, like litter boxes, food dishes, crates, pet beds, and toys, when potential buyers are touring the property.
“Stashing their gear and giving things a once-over for fur or scent helps the home feel fresh and universally inviting,” she says.
Home Security Signage and Visible Cameras
Home security is an integral part of most houses these days, but it’s something you don’t want to draw attention to when potential buyers are touring. A home equipped with security cameras and visible security decals can spark unnecessary concerns about the neighborhood's safety.
“Removing or concealing these creates a more welcoming and peaceful first impression," Staub says. "It helps buyers focus on the home's features rather than imagining what potential threats the seller might be guarding against."
Bulky or Excess Furniture
When buyers are touring a home, they’re looking at a few main things, one of which is the size of the space, so you should keep the amount of furniture to a minimum.
You want just enough to make the space feel homey and inviting, but not so much that it feels visually cluttered. This means that bulky and excess furniture needs to go.
“Nothing will kill a buyer’s feelings (and people pay how they feel) about a space than old bulky furniture or too much of it," says Alan Taylor, a top Los Angeles-based realtor. "Consider removing extra pieces to create a more open and spacious feel."
Controversial or Distracting Decor
Real estate pros agree that removing any controversial or distracting decor is super important before listing your house for sale. So, what does this mean, exactly?
“Anything that can be considered controversial, political, religious, pornographic, insensitive, offensive, or discriminatory in any way, to anyone,” says Andress Eichstadt, CEO at Staging Studio.
The goal when staging your home for sale is to appeal to the broadest possible audience and create a blank slate that they can envision themselves occupying. This means decor should be kept minimal and neutral.
Remember: people who feel put off or offended aren’t inclined to make generous offers, says Eichstadt. She includes taxidermy, religious iconography, and even sports team memorabilia on this list.
“We've had buyers reject a home simply because it was decorated in the theme of their rival team,” she says.
Standing Fans or Space Heaters
If you’re someone who loves to fall asleep to the calming white noise of a standing fan beside your bed, you’ll want to ensure it’s tucked away before you start showing your home.
According to Eichstadt, items like standing fans or space heaters suggest there may be a problem with the AC or furnace, which is definitely not the first impression you want to give potential buyers.
Even if the HVAC units are in perfect condition, it’s best to keep these items out of sight once your home hits the market.
Clutter
A clean home is an inviting home, so be sure to remove clutter and keep your home clean as you prepare it for sale.
“Too much stuff is off-putting," Taylor says. "By clearing off countertops, nightstands, and shelves, clean, minimal surfaces will show better."
On that note, personal everyday items like calendars, children’s artwork, and fridge magnets should also be removed, Staub says.
“These everyday items add warmth for the homeowner, but can look like clutter for buyers," she says. "Clearing them makes the [space] feel larger, less personal, and more adaptable."
Valuables
Most importantly, experts agree that it is imperative to remove all valuables from your home. This includes jewelry, cash, important documents, sentimental items, prescription medications, and other valuables.
Real estate agents do their best to monitor their clients during showings, but they can’t be everywhere all at once, and it’s impossible to guarantee visitors won’t help themselves during showings, Staub says.
Remove the temptation and keep those valuables safe and sound in a storage unit or safe while your home is open for viewings.