Decluttering: The Secret Ingredient to Selling Your Home Faster—and for More

Have you ever scrolled through listing photos online and paused at a house that just felt…off? Buyers form first impressions long before they step through your front door, and it usually starts with your home’s photos. One of the most powerful—yet often underestimated—steps in prepping your home to hit the market is simple: decluttering.

It sounds basic, but there’s a reason I strongly encourage clients to take time to thoroughly declutter. Cluttered rooms look smaller, darker, and less inviting, both in person and in pictures. The goal isn’t just to make things tidy; it’s to create a space that lets buyers envision themselves at home, not distracted by someone else’s piles of paperwork, knickknacks, or well-loved shoes stacked by the door.

The National Association of Realtors backs this up in their latest Profile of Home Staging. According to the NAR survey, 81% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home. And here’s the kicker: the rooms that matter most aren’t always what you’d expect. The living room, master bedroom, and kitchen are the top three areas where good staging—meaning decluttered, depersonalized, and thoughtfully arranged—makes the biggest impact. When these spaces are clean, bright, and open, your listing photos shine and buyers are more likely to schedule that in-person visit.

Decluttering is about more than just what the camera sees. The real magic happens during showings, when buyers step inside and start to ask themselves the questions you want them to ask: “Can I see myself living here?” and “How much do I want to offer?” The last thing you want is for a buyer to be sidetracked, standing in your kitchen pondering why you have three microwaves, or getting caught up on that family of garden gnomes that hang out in the office that also serves as a guest bedroom, but might also be a closet—confused by all of that? Buyers would be, too! You want them focused on the space, not the stuff.

Every detail matters when selling your home, but decluttering is the foundation. It’s the difference between buyers rushing through the tour—heads down, avoiding eye contact with your laundry pile—and buyers pausing in the living room, picturing their own furniture, and talking about where they’d put the Christmas tree. You want every room to feel like a blank canvas, ready for their story.

Here in Omaha, with some homes sitting a bit longer and buyers becoming more selective, every click and every showing counts. Don’t underestimate the power of a great first impression. If you’re getting ready to list, a weekend spent decluttering could make all the difference in your photos, your market time, and your final sale price. If you need a second set of eyes—or help finding a great stager—let’s connect. I’m always happy to lend my eye for detail and help you see your home through a buyer’s lens.