When listing a property, Realtors commonly refer to it as a "house." When showing the property, they often refer to it as a "home."

Why?

Buying a home is not "just" a purchase. Buyers are looking for a place to go after a long day's work, a place to raise a family, a private, safe haven. That is a "home," a place the buyer can envision calling his/her own.

Someday, you will sell that place you call "home." You have done countless things to make this your own personal safe haven. If you plan to market your home with all of your personal touches, selling may be difficult.

How do you let go of those things that make it "home" to you?

Letting go may be a difficult, if not painful, process, but it is very, very necessary. To sell your home effectively, you need to let go of many of your personal touches and begin to detach yourself emotionally from it. Potential buyers looking at it need to be able to imagine that this is their own home. You need to help them see it that way.

Begin by removing family photos and personal materials like trophies and awards. Clean the "junk" our of drawers in the kitchen and remove the kid's art work from the refrigerator. Remove accumulated items from the garage, basement, closets, and attic. Enable the buyers to see that there is plenty of space for their personal effects. Begin to plan your move by putting those personal effects and "junk" in storage. It will be waiting for you to make that next "house" your new "home."

If you would like more advice on selling your house or buying a home, please give me a call.