š 10 Things to NEVER HAVE In Your Home When Selling
Most buyers decide how they feel about a home in the first couple of minutes. And if itās a no, itās usually not because of the layout or the priceāitās something they see, or worse, smell, that instantly turns them off.So if you're planning to sell, here are 10 things you should NEVER have in your home. Iāve seen homes sit on the market just because of one of these. They quietly kill your momentum and can cost you thousands. Letās go through what to avoid so your home makes the right impression from the second someone walks through the door.1. Family Photos
Your family is lovely. But buyers need to picture their future here, not get pulled into your past.š¼ļø Swap personal pics for neutral art or mirrors. Keep the emotion, lose the identity.
2. Bold Paint Colors
You might love that burnt orange accent wall, but to buyers, bold colors often just feel like work.šØ Stick to soft whites, light grays, or beiges. Clean, light walls help buyers breatheāand imagine their own style.
3. Cluttered Counters
Full counters = mental overload. Especially in kitchens and bathrooms.š§“ Tuck away the appliances and the 12-step skincare routine. Let the space feel clean, calm, and open.
4. Stained or Smelly Carpets
Nothing screams āprojectā like old, stained carpetāor worse, carpet that smells.š§¼ If you can clean it, great. If not, replace it. And if it smells? Itās got to go.
5. Pet Stuff
We love pets (we have two cats!). But buyers donāt want to smell a litter box or see a dog bed.š¶ Before every showing: air out the house, hide the pet gear, and use an enzyme-based neutralizer. Buyers shouldnāt know a pet lives there.
6. Collections + āStuffā
Your collectibles are awesomeābut they grab attention for the wrong reasons.šÆ Pack up sports memorabilia, doll displays, or anything that turns the tour into a museum visit. Let the home be the focus.
7. Political Decor
Yard signs, bumper stickers, even certain booksāif it might spark a debate, itās a distraction.š³ļø Keep it neutral. The goal is to help buyers stay focused on the space, not your opinions.
8. Too Much Furniture
Even a big room can feel tight if itās packed wall-to-wall.šļø Try removing just one or two pieces per room. Open walkways = open minds. Youāre selling space.
9. Heavy Window Treatments
Natural light is a top priority for buyers. Heavy curtains and dated blinds block both light and energy.āļø Keep it simpleāwhite blinds or bare windows. Let the light do the work.
10. Overstuffed Closets
Closets arenāt just storageāthey're a sneak peek into how livable the home really is.š Take out at least half of whatās in there. Use matching hangers. Show off space, not stuff.
The Bottom Line:
These may seem like small detailsābut together, they shape how a buyer feels. And buyers buy on emotion, then justify with logic. If your home feels fresh, neutral, and move-in ready, it gives buyers a reason to act fastāand pay more.So take a walk through your home like a buyer would and ask:š Whatās too personal?
š« Whatās getting in the way?
š§ What needs a quick fix?š Want a simple way to walk through this step-by-step? Download the free checklist here to make sure you're not missing anything.š„ And if youād rather watch this as a video, click here to check it out for even more tips and examples.