Selling a home in Philadelphia is exciting, but preparation is key. Knowing how to declutter is one of the most important steps to getting your home ready before selling. Decluttering not only makes your home more appealing but also helps buyers imagine themselves living there. Here’s a practical order to work in, plus three rules that keep the process from stalling.
Why Decluttering Matters
Decluttering goes way beyond just tidying up a bit. It's a smart move, a real strategy to help your home sell faster and for more money. Here's the deal:
- Helps buyers visualize the space: Stuff like personal photos and general clutter can actually distract buyers from seeing the true potential of the space.
- Makes your home look larger and brighter: Having less furniture and keeping things organized instantly creates a more open and airy feel.
- Boosts perceived value: A clean, well-organized house makes it look like you've taken great care of it.
- Improves online appeal: Homes that look neat and tidy in photos grab more attention and lead to more people wanting to see them in person.
The National Association of Realtors' 2025 survey found that 83% of buyers' agents said staging helped buyers visualize a property as a future home. That is about staging, not decluttering alone — but clearing surfaces is the first and cheapest part of staging, and it is the part you can do yourself in a weekend.
How to Declutter a House Before Selling
Work through it in this order:
1. Remove Personal Items
- Take down photos, memorabilia, and collectibles. Buyers should be able to picture their own belongings in the space.
2. Organize Storage Spaces
- Closets, cabinets, and pantries should look spacious and tidy. Use bins or baskets to create uniform organization.
3. Clear Counters and Surfaces
- Keep kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, and tabletops free of clutter.
4. Minimize Furniture
- Too much furniture makes rooms feel cramped. Keep essential pieces that highlight space and flow.
5. Deep Clean Your Home
- Clean floors, windows, bathrooms, kitchens, and fixtures before the photos are taken. If you would rather hand that part off, book a deep clean and see your total before you confirm.
Decluttering Rules to Make It Easy
10-10-10 Rule:
- Go through your items and ask: “Have I used this in the last 10 months? Would I keep it for the next 10 months? Do I love it?” If the answer is no, it’s time to donate, sell, or toss it.
12-12-12 Rule:
This is a fast, practical way to declutter before listing:
- 12 items to throw away
- 12 items to donate or sell
- 12 items to relocate (to storage or another area of the home)
These rules make decluttering manageable and keep your home looking fresh and organized for showings.
90/90 Rule
This rule helps prioritize what to keep versus what to remove:
- Ask yourself about each item: “Have I used this in the last 90 days? Will I use it in the next 90 days?”
- If the answer is no, it should be sold, donated, or put into storage.
- This method ensures your home only displays items that are relevant and necessary, making it look spacious and move-in ready.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to make your Philadelphia home appealing to buyers. Following these strategies helps your home look bigger, cleaner, and more move-in ready. Pair decluttering with repairs, staging, and boosting curb appeal, and you’ll maximize your chances to sell fast in Philadelphia.
An experienced listing agent will have their own view on sequencing, staging and pricing. Decluttering is the part that is entirely in your hands, and it is worth doing before the first showing is booked.