The family photos on the mantel. The school calendar on the fridge. The toiletries beside the bathroom sink. You barely notice them anymore, but someone seeing your home for the first time will.
Before an open house, putting away a few personal belongings can help buyers pay attention to the rooms and consider how they would use them. REMAX Canada recommends removing personal displays that can distract buyers during a showing.
You still live there, though. The preparation has to be manageable.
Start with the things you won’t need this week
Framed family photos, trophies, diplomas and personal collections are good places to begin. Pack them carefully, label the boxes and store them somewhere out of the way.
Leave your everyday furniture in place. A sofa, dining table or desk helps show how a room works. Lamps, plants and a few decorative pieces can stay, too. There’s no need to leave every shelf bare.
If you’re unsure about an item, consider whether it helps someone understand the room or mainly tells them about the people living there.
Check what’s sitting in plain sight
Walk through the house with a laundry basket and collect the belongings that tend to accumulate:
- Kitchen: fridge photos, school notices, mail and paperwork on the counter.
- Bathroom: toothbrushes, razors, cosmetics and products around the tub.
- Bedrooms: laundry, personal photographs and items on bedside tables.
- Living areas: hobby supplies, loose toys and overflowing collections.
- Entryway: extra shoes, bags and coats that crowd the space.
Keep daily-use items in a portable container so you can put them away before a showing and bring them back out afterwards.
For children’s rooms, pack the surplus toys first and leave favorites available between visits. Preparing for buyers is easier when the household can still function.
Give private information a separate check
Look for anything displaying names, account details, passwords or family schedules. That includes bills on the desk, a calendar showing everyone’s whereabouts and information visible on a computer screen.
Secure jewelry, prescription medications and sensitive documents before visitors arrive. An ordinary drawer or cupboard isn’t secure storage. Do this before listing photographs are taken as well; personal information can appear in pictures shared online.
Be careful where the boxes go
Moving everything into a closet may clear the room, but it can make the storage space difficult to assess. The same problem happens when packed belongings fill the garage. Buyers need to see those areas, too.
Keep boxes neatly grouped and leave access to shelves, utilities and walking areas. If space is tight, ask your REALTOR® where temporary storage would make the most sense.
Before leaving, take a quick photo of each main room on your phone. Check for belongings you missed, especially on counters and in corners. Then put the basket away.
Buyers should be able to judge whether their table would fit, where they would work and how much storage they would have. Giving them a clear view of the space helps them answer those questions.
