Why You Should Stage Your Closets When Selling!

You might think no one cares about what’s in your closet. You might assume that people have different things and different styles and that they know they are going to come in and do things their own way, so they won’t care what yours looks like. Not true! Your closet can speak volumes to potential home buyers.

What your closet might be saying to potential buyers

If your closet is jam-packed and unorganized, potential buyers might think the space is not set up properly or that there is not enough space for their own things. They might even think that if you can’t get it organized, they won’t be able to either.

If you have your clothes in one closet and your spouse’s clothes in the guest closet, they might again think that the closets are just too small and that they will need more space. They might also assume that the marriage is experiencing some difficulty and that they might be able to get the house cheaper and try to lowball the price.

The same is true if you are storing Christmas decorations and boxes of receipts, etc. in your closet, the hall closet, or the guest bedroom. The buyer might think, if there is not enough storage for them, there will not be enough storage for me.

You must stage your closets when selling because potential buyers need to see the home in terms of their own everyday space. They need to see how they will use it or that it is open for their own interpretation.

Speculation you say! It happens! We have witnessed it!

How to let your closet speak for you

• Clear out everything that does not belong there. Reduce if need be but stay realistic.
• We are lucky to live here in the South Bay. Residents in cities like Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach don’t have a winter wardrobe and a summer wardrobe unless they really want to. If you do, make sure the off-season clothes are not causing chaos in your closet.
• Keep all confidential information, such as receipts and financial information, out of eyesight and out of reach. They may not want to look but when it’s right in front of them they may not be able to help it.
• Thin them out and store them if you must but put both spouses’ clothes in the master closet.
• Use the same hangers throughout. If your home has a luxury price tag, then it’s a good idea to invest in wooden or velvet slimline hangers. Either way, make sure they are all the same – on both his and her side of the closet.
• Leave nothing on the floor. You can take any shoe racks with you to enjoy when you move.
• Organize your clothing by style and color just like your favorite department store. Group your clothing by similar style. Hang dresses together. Hang pants together. Hang tank tops together, etc., and then put the colors together.
• Organize loose items into matching bins, baskets, or boxes.

Your closet is now speaking and helping to sell your house with you! You will now look at your closet and feel like you are living like your favorite movie star. Potential buyers are going to feel like they will too!