9 Items to Remove When Selling Your Home

From forgotten mail to political decor, these small details could cost you a sale.

First impressions matter—buyers often form opinions within the first few seconds of entering a home. The Good Brigade/Getty Images

Are you selling your house? Before you list it, there are some items that you should consider removing from the house before any prospective buyers enter. That doesn’t mean that you need to gut the house of all personality, but it’s best to remove certain items in the house that could deter a sale or pose a risk.

Private Papers and Mail

Most people will toss their mail and bills on the table or counter when they enter their home. But if you have a showing, you need to put those documents away.

They give the area a cluttered look and can also be a security risk. Not everyone touring your home is there legitimately. When your real estate agent isn’t looking, pictures could be taken of your documents that could be used to steal your identity.

Protect yourself by putting everything away.

A cluttered home can distract buyers and make the rooms appear smaller than they really are. Ольга Симонова/Getty Images

Personal Items

Many real estate agents recommend eliminating everything personal, including family photos.

But according to real estate broker Brian Beatty of The Brian Beatty Team of Keller Williams Realty in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, it comes down to moderation.

“If you have a shrine dedicated to your family and it’s a focal point in the room, then, yes, you take it down,” Beatty said. “[But] people will not decide not to buy a house based on a family photo on the mantel.”

Controversial Decorations

Some individuals are dedicated to their political beliefs. However, decorations that promote those beliefs could be a turnoff to potential buyers.

Beatty recommended taking down political artwork.

“If someone is politically involved and they’re dedicated that way, you’re basically marketing to only half the population,” he said. “Take the political down.”

This advice also applies to controversial artwork or sports teams. For example, if you live in an area with two rival sports teams, a buyer may be offended if you promote your favorite team over his.

“I would not give people a reason to not like me; keep the focus on the home,” Beatty said.

Neutral, inviting furniture arrangements help buyers imagine entertaining or relaxing in the space. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images

Countertop Appliances

You want to be able to show off those beautiful countertops. Do you really need an air fryer, toaster oven, and coffeepot on the counter? Pick up those little doodads that seem to accumulate on the kitchen counter and put them away.

But don’t strip it down to nothing. You don’t want to make your kitchen look like a Home Depot display—it still needs to look like a home. But you want the focus to be on the countertops, backsplash, and cabinets.

Don’t stop with the kitchen, either—clean the bathroom counters and any shelves. People tend to leave things out on the bathroom counter, but this is an area where everything should be put away, including:

• Toothbrush holder
• Shaving gear
• Lotions
• Brushes
• Makeup

The only thing that should be left on the bathroom counter is the soap dispenser.

Bathrooms should be spotless, odor-free, and clear of personal items such as toothbrushes or razors. Curtis Adams/Pexels

Fixtures Not Included in the Sale

You’re moving, and you’re taking your grandmother’s chandelier with you. The best course of action is to remove it from the house and replace it before you start showing the home to buyers. That way, a prospective buyer won’t fall in love with Granny’s light and make its exclusion a deal-breaker.

Now is also the time to fix or remove any fixtures that aren’t working. This includes replacing all burnt-out light bulbs.

Firearms

Depending on what part of the country you live in, firearms may or may not be a controversial item. Regardless, they are a safety and security problem when showing a house.

According to SmartBox Portable Storage and Moving, storing firearms might be a good idea. Because homes for sale are often posted online with photos and the home address, showing items such as guns or other valuables in photos may attract thieves.

When it comes to showing the home, Beatty said, “Firearms can be in a display rack, but they must be locked up.”

Excess Furniture

You might have inherited furniture from your mother’s home, and it may be mixed in with your regular furniture. This could lead to a crowded, cramped look.

You’re moving anyway, so this is a good time to eliminate excess furniture and free up space. Make the room look roomier so you can show off its elements.

Beatty said sometimes furniture needs to be moved around so that it shows off the room and its size. He suggested turning the home “into a home the buyers can envision.”

Pets, Litter Boxes, and Odors

Dogs should be removed from the house before showing. Beatty mentioned that aggressive dogs have made him feel uncomfortable, but cats generally tend to stay out of the way.

“Litter boxes should be put away where you can’t see it,” he said. “Walking around a corner into a litter box is not a good scenario.”

And although a house with pets may not deter a buyer, the pet odor will. You need to eliminate the odor.

For homes that have pets or other odors, Beatty recommended renting an ozone generator.

“It neutralizes and removes odors, and it’s inexpensive,” he said.

Make sure pets are removed from the site before showings, and be sure to put away any litter boxes. Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images

Clutter

Since you’re moving anyway, this is a good time to pack and store any extras that make your house look small or cramped.

“No matter how much square footage, you find a way to fill it up,” Beatty said. “Use this time as a time to declutter your house and declutter your life.”