Creating a welcoming, neutral space before a showing means presenting it in a way that allows buyers to dream of living there. Learn what to remove before a showing with this post by Burchard Abstract Company in Gonzales, TX.

When you list your home for sale, you’re not just marketing square footage. You’re selling a lifestyle and a dream. A cluttered, personalized, or overly lived-in space can distract potential buyers from seeing the full potential of your property. To make the best impression during a showing, it's critical to stage your home in a way that is clean, neutral, and appealing to as many people as possible.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to remove before a showing to help your home stand out in a competitive real estate market.

If you’re ready to show, you’re ready to sell! Call Burchard Abstract Company in Gonzales, TX, at (830) 672-8651 for the title services you need to have a smooth transaction.

What to Remove Before a Showing

1. Personal Items

While your home is filled with memories, buyers want to envision their life there, not yours. Personal belongings create a visual reminder that the space belongs to someone else. Remove:

• Family photos
• Personal collections (sports memorabilia, souvenirs)
• Diplomas, certificates, or awards
• Kids' artwork on the fridge or walls
• Bathroom toiletries like razors, toothbrushes, and cosmetics

Depersonalizing helps the buyer mentally move in, which is exactly what you want.

2. Excess Clutter

Even if you’re a naturally tidy person, “lived-in” clutter can make a home feel smaller and less organized. Take a critical look at each room and put away:

• Piles of mail, newspapers, and magazines
  Countertop kitchen gadgets and utensils
• Overcrowded bookshelves
• Floor mats or excess rugs
• Toys and pet items scattered around the house

Less is more. A minimalist environment showcases the size and features of your home, not your belongings.

3. Controversial or Bold Decor

You may love your edgy art, political posters, or statement furniture, but that doesn’t mean your buyer will. In fact, strong opinions on display can work against you. Remove or neutralize:

• Political or religious displays
• Risqué artwork or suggestive decor
• Bold wallpaper or bright accent walls (if possible)
• Taxidermy or animal trophies

Aim for a calming, universally appealing aesthetic that won’t distract or divide buyers.

4. Pet Supplies and Odors

You adore your pets, but not all buyers will. Some may have allergies or simply not be animal lovers. For a showing:

• Remove pet beds, crates, bowls, toys, and scratching posts
• Vacuum carpets and furniture to remove pet hair
• Use odor eliminators to neutralize lingering smells
• Clean litter boxes thoroughly or remove them altogether
• Take pets out of the house during the showing, if possible

Nothing turns off a buyer faster than the smell of a wet dog or evidence of cat litter in a corner.

Call Burchard Abstract Company in Gonzales, TX, at (830) 672-8651 for expert assistance through your real estate process.

5. Valuables and Personal Information

Security is important during open houses and private showings. You don’t know who will be walking through your home, so protect your belongings and privacy:

• Lock up jewelry and watches
• Store away cash and checkbooks
• Remove prescription medications
• Hide laptops, tablets, and small electronics
• File away personal documents like bank statements and tax forms

When in doubt, it’s safer to remove these items from the home entirely during showings.

6. Kitchen and Pantry Items

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and a major selling point. It should look clean, spacious, and functional. Clear off:

• Small appliances (toasters, coffee makers, air fryers)
• Fridge magnets, calendars, notes, and school papers
• Open food packaging or snacks left on counters
• Dishes drying in the rack or in the sink

Buyers often open cabinets and drawers, so keep your pantry, fridge, and cabinets tidy and organized as well.

7. Laundry and Trash

Before each showing:

• Empty trash cans (especially in bathrooms and kitchen)
• Remove laundry baskets or hide them in closets
• Avoid leaving clean or dirty clothes out
• Deodorize and clean the laundry room if it has a strong scent

Small things like smelly trash or damp laundry can leave a negative impression on otherwise interested buyers.

8. DIY Projects and Repair Tools

Unfinished projects suggest future work and expense to the buyer. If you’re halfway through something, try to complete it or tidy up as much as possible. Remove:

• Paint cans, brushes, ladders, and tools
• Exposed wires or disassembled furniture
• Unmounted TVs or shelves
• Packaging materials or spare parts

A clean and finished look signals “move-in ready,” which is always attractive to buyers.

Looking for what to remove before a showing? How about the doubts of having a safe title? Call Burchard Abstract Company in Gonzales, TX, at (830) 672-8651 for information on their title services.