The way you sell a house is not the way you live in a house, Rowe likes to tell his clients. And happy home sellers such as Marilyn and Don Erskine are living proof that the strategy works. Last fall, they decided to downsize from their family home. Simply by doing everything Rowe suggested. I said 'Tell me what you want us to do to sell this house.
Clutter can be a turnoff to potential buyers.
So it's best to toss that rug hooking by Aunt Melba, the bowling trophy, the velvet Elvis. And knick-knacks begone. They clog up otherwise sleek surfaces and, more importantly, they prevent others from being able to imagine their own souvenirs on those surfaces. While you're in the clear-out mode, clean up the kitchen. Rip your insurance agent's calendar from the wall and take all small appliances off the countertops.