Decluttering for a Sale
What Should I Declutter First Before Selling My North Haven, CT House?
Quick Wins with Anna Buono
What should you declutter first before selling your North Haven, CT home?
Start with the areas buyers notice instantly: entryways, kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, closets, and living-room surfaces. These quick wins create an immediate feeling of space, cleanliness, and calm — which helps your home sell faster and for more money.
Selling your home is exciting… but the prep can feel overwhelming.
If you’re looking around thinking, “Where do I even start?” — you’re not alone. After 23 years helping North Haven homeowners prep their homes for sale, I can tell you this:
You don’t need a perfect home.
You just need a strategically decluttered one.
Here’s your simple, stress-free plan to make your home look bigger, cleaner, and more inviting — without spending weeks doing it.
Step 1 – Start With the “First Impression Zones”
Buyers make judgments in the first 8–10 seconds of entering your home.
So we declutter the places they see first:
✔ Entryway
A crowded entry makes a home feel small before buyers even get inside.
Remove:
Extra shoes
Coats
Key bowls
Mail piles
Keep only one simple focal point — like a mirror or small plant.
Step 2 – Clear the Kitchen Counters
This is the #1 place buyers look for “signs” of how well a home is cared for.
Remove:
Toasters, air fryers, mixers
Piles of mail
Knife blocks
Tupperware towers
Excess décor
Leave ONLY:
One simple fruit bowl or
A single coffee maker
A clear kitchen = a bigger kitchen.
Step 3 – Declutter the Bathrooms (Buyers Notice EVERYTHING)
Bathrooms sell the feeling of cleanliness — even more than style.
Remove:
Makeup bags
Toothbrushes
Hair tools
Extra bottles
Medication
Store daily items in baskets under the sink.
On top of the counter, keep:
A soap pump
One plant or rolled towel stack
That’s it.
Step 4 – Tackle Closets (Buyers ALWAYS Open Them)
North Haven buyers LOVE homes with storage — but stuffed closets make buyers think the home doesn’t have enough space.
Aim for 50% empty.
Remove:
Seasonal clothes
Extra bedding
Off-season shoes
Storage bins
Random “I’ll deal with this later” items
Pro tip: Box these items and store them neatly in the basement or garage — buyers expect to see moving boxes.
Step 5 – Declutter the Living Room Surfaces
This is where buyers imagine “their life” happening.
Remove:
Stacks of magazines
Remote collections
Toys
Extra blankets
Too many framed photos
Keep surfaces simple and calming.
A tidy living room photographs beautifully — and photos are EVERYTHING online.
Step 6 – Reduce Furniture (The Secret to Making Rooms Look Bigger)
Most North Haven homes have too much furniture for real estate photography.
Remove 1–2 items per room:
An extra recliner
Side tables
Bulky shelves
Toy organizers
Buyers love open space.
Your home will feel instantly larger.
Step 7 – Don’t Forget the Garage & Basement
North Haven buyers often have hobbies, tools, and storage needs — but these areas can easily feel chaotic.
Simplify by:
Grouping items in labeled bins
Donating anything unused in 12+ months
Removing old paint cans, broken tools, random extras
A tidy garage feels like a bonus feature — not a burden.
Step 8 – Get a Second Pair of Eyes (This Is Where I Come In)
When you’ve lived in a home for years, it’s hard to see it the way a buyer does.
That’s why every time I meet a seller, I walk room-by-room and give a simple, easy-to-follow declutter checklist tailored to your home.
No judgment.
No overwhelm.
Just clarity.
Quick Declutter Priority Checklist
Here’s your North Haven seller cheat-sheet:
Declutter these first:
Entryway
Kitchen counters
Bathroom surfaces
Living-room surfaces
Primary bedroom
Closet interiors
Then declutter these next:
Bonus rooms
Basement
Garage
Laundry room
Hallway shelves
Start with the “first impression” zones — and the rest gets easier.
📊 Want to Know What Buyers Would Pay for Your North Haven Home After Decluttering?
Request your Free Local Home Value Report and get:
Your current value range
How your home compares to others in North Haven
What features today’s buyers are looking for
A custom step-by-step prep plan
📩 [email protected]
📞 (203) 376-5878
🌐 www.realtorannab.com
Final Thoughts
Decluttering doesn’t have to be complicated.
When you focus on the areas buyers notice most, you can transform your home’s appeal in just a few hours.
And when you’re ready, I’ll walk you through exactly what to do — room by room — so you hit the market with confidence and clarity.
Let’s Talk About Your Next Move
📞 (203) 376-5878
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.realtorannab.com
Anna Buono, REALTOR®
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices — North Haven, CT
Relationships Before Transactions
