Getting your house sold quickly is the ideal scenario for any home seller. Pulling it off, though, can be a different story. Fortunately, it’s not impossible to sell a house in record time provided you have the right staging tricks at your disposal. Careful planning and some knowledge of what makes a house sell quickly is all it takes to put your home in the hands of its next owners. Read on to learn how to properly prepare your house for sale.

Tip #1:  Make your house impersonal

If you want other people to envision themselves living in your house, it’s important to disassociate yourself with your home. No matter what your personal connection to the house may be, it’s crucial that you think of it as a commodity rather than the home you’ve enjoyed for years.

To make your house impersonal, start by taking down all photographs and family heirlooms hanging on your walls or sitting on shelves. You don’t want potential buyers entering your house with enthusiasm only to feel like the house is home to another family. Personal artifacts distract buyers from seeing the potential the house may hold for them and their family.

Replace your family photos with artwork of a more generic nature, such as pictures of wildlife or scenery. In addition, try to pare down the amount of decoration you have throughout the rooms of your house. Less is more when you’re trying to make others realize the potential of the space.

Tip #2:  Curb your clutter

The best way to make your house appear large and attractive is to get rid of your clutter. What may feel homey and comfortable to you is likely to feel cramped and disordered to a potential buyer.

For large spaces, get rid of all but the most basic furniture. A couch, a chair, and a television stand are all you need for your family room. Move out bookshelves, extra tables, and any other furniture that clutters the space. Try to create as much open area as possible. You should particularly focus on creating open space where your walls meet your floor. This will make your rooms appear larger.

Clear the counters in your kitchen and bathrooms. You should especially make sure to remove personal items like your toothbrush and face wash from sight. Put such personal items in a small box that can be easily stowed beneath the sink during the day.

You should also attempt to go ahead and pack up any knickknacks you have lying around the house. Such things attract both dust and attention, and you want your buyer to be focused on the larger picture.

Tip #3:  Rent a storage unit

As you eliminate clutter and furniture from your house, it’s best to move it off site. Don’t be tempted to store your belongings in your garage or backyard shed as that will only serve to make those areas look cluttered.

Instead, rent a small storage unit or ask a friend if he or she can store your belongings until your house sells.

Tip #4:  Organize your cupboards and drawers

As buyers move through your house, they’re likely to want to open cupboards and drawers. Don’t think these areas are immune from having to be cleaned. Buyers will not only want to see what kind of storage space your house has to offer, they may also want to see what kind of homeowner you are.

Make sure the contents of your storage areas are neatly organized. Above all, make sure items don’t fall out of cupboards when buyers start to snoop. You want to give the appearance that you’re a neat and organized person. This makes buyers feel like you’d be the kind of person to take good care of a house.

Tip #5:  Remove household items you plan to take with you

Before showing your house, pack up items you plan to take with you that could be confused as items that come with the house. Buyers often assume certain things like window coverings or appliances will come with the house.

Don’t risk disappointing a potential buyer. Remove all items you want that are connected to the house itself before buyers begin visiting. If they never see the item, they won’t ask that it be added into the deal.

Tip #6:  Thoroughly clean your house, inside and out

Even if you weren’t much of a housekeeper while living in your house, take the time to make the place sparkle both inside and out. Wash your windows, have your carpets cleaned, dust along floorboards, replace worn out rugs, and do everything else you can think of to make the place appear new and pleasant.

If the season is warm, it’s a good idea to plant colorful flowers either in pots or around the edge of your driveway in order to make the house feel vibrant and alive.