If you're selling your home, decluttering is one of the easiest ways to sell faster and for more money. Homes that are decluttered sell 73% faster and for 5-15% more, according to real estate data. Focus on high-impact areas like the kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway, since these spaces influence most buyer decisions. Here's a quick summary of what to do:
- Sort items into "Keep", "Donate", or "Trash" categories.
- Prioritize key rooms: Kitchens, bathrooms, and storage spaces (like basements and garages).
- Use 15-minute sessions to avoid overwhelm and stay on track.
- Stage for buyers: Remove personal items, clear surfaces, and organize storage spaces.
Want specifics? Follow the room-by-room checklist to make your home feel open, organized, and buyer-ready.
10 Tips to Declutter FASTER
Basic Decluttering Steps
Getting the basics of decluttering down can make the whole process smoother before tackling specific rooms. Fun fact: Sellers who take a structured approach to decluttering are 87% more likely to get offers within their first week of listing, according to local real estate stats [3].
Sort Items: Keep, Donate, or Trash
Here’s a simple way to sort your stuff:
| Category | What Goes Here | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Keep | Things you need for staging or use often | Neutral decor, good-quality furniture, daily-use appliances |
| Donate | Items in good condition you haven’t used in 9+ months | Extra kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, spare linens |
| Trash | Broken or expired things | Damaged decor, expired meds, stained fabrics |
"Buyers spend twice as long looking at storage spaces that are tidy and well-organized", says Sarah Thompson of Central PA Realty. "Using a three-category system makes spaces look clean and appealing, which directly impacts how buyers perceive the home." [2]
15-Minute Decluttering Sessions
Short on time? Break decluttering into 15-minute chunks to avoid feeling overwhelmed. The "timer trick" works wonders - sellers in Central PA using this method finish their prep work 30% faster [2].
Here are a few quick tasks you can tackle in 15 minutes:
- Clear off countertops and tables
- Organize one small area, like a drawer or shelf
- Pack away personal items like family photos or collections
Start with High-Impact Rooms
Focus on the rooms buyers care about most. Local market data shows these areas make the biggest impression:
- Kitchens: Buyers check out 92% of drawers and cabinets during showings [2].
- Bathrooms: Clean, tidy bathrooms are a close second in importance.
- Entryways: First impressions matter, influencing 63% of buyer interest [4].
In Central PA, basements and garages are also worth prioritizing due to winter storage needs. We’ll cover specific tips for these spaces in the room-by-room checklist coming up.
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Room-by-Room Checklist
Get your home in top shape with these focused tips for each space:
Front Entry Clean-Up
Clear out coats, shoes, and pet items like leashes and bowls [2]. Add wall hooks and a storage bench for a tidy, welcoming entryway [7].
Kitchen Organization
Tidy up your kitchen by focusing on these zones:
| Zone | Remove | Keep |
|---|---|---|
| Countertops | Toasters, blenders, dish racks | Coffee maker only |
| Refrigerator | Magnets, photos, notes | Nothing |
| Cabinets | Extra cookware, expired items | Essential cookware |
| Pantry | Expired food, duplicates | Organized essentials |
Living Room Setup
Simplify the space by removing extra furniture; stick to one sofa and two chairs [1]. Follow the "80/20 rule" for surfaces - keep them 80% clear with minimal decorations [7]. Swap out personal photos for neutral artwork to help buyers imagine their own style [3].
Bedroom Clean-Up
Make bedrooms feel calm and spacious. Clear nightstands, leaving only a lamp and one decorative item [6]. Remove personal items like family photos and toiletries. Use neutral linens for the bed and eliminate any furniture that makes the room feel crowded.
Bathroom Organization
Keep countertops empty and store all toiletries in under-sink organizers [4]. Display neatly folded white towels, and remove personal items from the shower [3].
Closet Space Maximization
Brighten closets with LED puck lights [8]. Use matching velvet hangers and remove out-of-season clothes to make the space look organized and roomy.
Basement and Garage Clean-Out
With Central PA's winter storage needs in mind, create organized zones with clear 36-inch pathways [7]. MLS data shows 68% of local buyers value these spaces [5]. Remove old chemicals, broken tools, and unused items [8]. Add vertical shelving to free up floor space and highlight storage possibilities. For bulky items, consider services like Junkluggers PA.
Central PA Decluttering Services
Once you've put your decluttering plan into action, these Central PA services can help you keep your home ready for buyers:
Central PA Realty
The agents at Central PA Realty offer tailored decluttering plans based on this checklist. They also coordinate with professional organizers and removal services to simplify the process.
Local Home Organizers
Professional organizers can bring the room-by-room strategies mentioned earlier to life:
| Service | Price Range | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg Home Optimizers | $75-125/hour | 4-hour prep sessions |
| York County Clutter Solutions | $55-100/hour | Virtual staging consultations |
| Lebanon Organizers | $65-95/hour | Mobility-friendly solutions |
"Our sessions create neutral spaces that appeal to local buyers", says a representative from Harrisburg Home Optimizers [3][8].
Item Removal Services
If you need to get rid of unwanted items, here are some eco-conscious options:
- Junk Pirates Harrisburg: Redirects 30% of collected items to Habitat ReStore [1][3]. They also provide detailed donation receipts for tax purposes.
- EcoHaul PA: Known for their commitment to the environment, they offer same-day pickup and clear recycling documentation [4].
- Penn Waste: Specializes in handling hazardous materials.
- Junkluggers of Lancaster County: Offers specialized removal services [3][8].
Budget-Friendly Options: Check out community-driven solutions like the Central PA Free Cycle Network, church-run "declutter buddy" programs, or the Lebanon Library's tool-lending service.
Next Steps
Once you've worked with professional services, keeping your home buyer-ready requires consistent daily upkeep. A simple way to do this is by setting up a "10-minute nightly reset" routine. Focus on high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room to keep things tidy [1][3]. Use labeled bins in entryways for shoes and mail to stop clutter before it piles up [2][4].
Here’s a suggested timeline to follow before listing your home:
| Timeframe | Priority Tasks | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks out | Tidy up basement/garage | Clear 50% of the space [8] |
| 4 weeks out | Organize closets | Maintain neat, open spacing [1] |
| 2 weeks out | Clean and polish surfaces | Achieve shiny, reflective areas [9] |
| 48 hours out | Final staging review | No visible clutter or storage items [2] |
Stick to this checklist to keep your home in top shape. Following this process has been shown to speed up sales by 18% in Central PA [9].
To help you stay on track, Central PA Realty provides their "Declutter Dashboard", which includes vendor discounts [9]. Their agents can also connect you with professional organizers to ensure your home stays in great condition throughout the selling process.
