Why Decluttering Before Selling Your Home Can Boost Its Value

When it comes to selling your home, most people think about repainting walls, fixing leaky faucets, or updating the kitchen. But there’s one often-overlooked step that can have a bigger impact on your sale price than you might expect: decluttering.

According to the National Association of Realtors, a clean, clutter-free home not only photographs better but also sells faster and for more money than a similar property that’s messy or overstuffed with belongings (source).

The Psychology of First Impressions

Buyers typically decide whether they like a home within the first 7–10 seconds of walking through the door. If they’re greeted by piles of boxes, overfilled shelves, or a garage they can’t even walk into, it creates a mental red flag: this home doesn’t have enough storage.

On the other hand, a decluttered home communicates space, organization, and care — all factors that influence perceived value.

How Decluttering Adds Value to Your Sale

Decluttering isn’t just about making your home look nice; it directly impacts how buyers evaluate your property. Here’s how:

1. Better Photography for Listings

   
   

   Real estate listings with clean, open spaces consistently get more clicks. In the online home-shopping world, your photos are your first (and sometimes only) chance to impress.

2. Increased Perceived Square Footage

   
   

   A room with minimal furniture and no unnecessary storage bins appears bigger. This perception often translates into higher offers.

3. Improved Appraisal Results

   
   

   Appraisers are human — a clean, well-maintained property can subtly influence how they view its condition, potentially boosting the appraised value (source).

4. Faster Sales

   
   

   Homes that are move-in ready tend to spend less time on the market. A shorter listing time means fewer price reductions and a better final selling price.

Decluttering Tips Before Listing Your Home

If you’re preparing to sell, focus on these key areas first:

• Garage & Basement: These spaces often hold years’ worth of items you no longer use. Clearing them makes these areas feel bigger and more functional.

• Closets: Aim for 50% empty space so buyers can visualize their belongings fitting easily.

• Kitchen Counters & Cabinets: Remove small appliances and excess dishware to create a sense of openness.

• Outdoor Spaces: Clear porches, decks, and sheds so buyers can see the full potential of your property.

The Role of Large-Scale Cleanouts

Sometimes, decluttering is more than just boxing up a few items — especially if you’ve lived in your home for decades. Full house cleanouts, basement cleanouts, and attic cleanouts may be necessary to truly open up the space for potential buyers.

For more info on these services, see our Cleanouts page.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering before selling your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your property’s value and speed up the sale process. Whether you do it yourself or bring in professionals for large-scale cleanouts, the investment almost always pays off.