As a realtor, I completely understand your attachment to your home. It may be the very spot where you got engaged, brought your babies home or completed one of your greatest DIY projects. Homes are meant to be places we love, and no matter how much you may need more space or look forward to a new location, letting go can be hard.

Why You Need to Detach Before You Sell

When it’s time to sell our homes, it’s important that we have our homes physically ready and our minds mentally ready. Finding ways to lessen your emotional attachment to your home is key to a successful sale and negotiations. Here’s why:

• Emotions can affect how you value your home. It’s important to remember that at the time of purchase, buyers see your home as a house — a product they are buying. They don’t have years of memories built up or a particular affection for your favorite reading nook. You need to view your home as a product, too, without letting your emotions cloud your judgement or causing you to place a higher value on it. The last thing you want is to reject a reasonable offer because you’re seeing the figures through nostalgic eyes.
• You can’t take criticism personally. Another reason to detach yourself emotionally is so feedback and criticism don’t feel so personal. As I said above, you’re marketing a product when you place your house on the market. Some people may have negative feedback about your product, and that’s OK. Use that feedback to improve your showings and home instead of feeling stung or huffy.

How to Mentally Prepare for Selling Your Home

Rationally, you can see the value in taking a step back emotionally. But I know that can be easier said than done. Here are a few strategies you can try to help you mentally prepare to list your home and get ready for negotiations:

• Focus on the possibilities. Do your best to turn your sights, energy and affections away from your current home. Focus instead on the possibilities and expansion of moving to a new place. Just imagine your dream home!
• Shift your perspective. When you list your home, start thinking of yourself as a home seller instead of a home owner. This simple shift in thought can make a big difference.
• Depersonalize your home. Homes that are staged for sale typically sell faster and for higher costs than those that aren’t. A key to successful staging is removing personalized items like family pictures, meaningful collections, etc. Packing these items away can help you detach and focus on the future.
• Trust your realtor/advisors. You hire real estate experts for a reason. Trust their judgement and carefully listen to their advice. They can help ground you and guide you toward sound choices.

As you get ready to sell your home, remember you are taking all of your memories with you! And if you are ready to sell your home in Western Prince William County, I would love to help you move on to your dream home.

Please contact Belinda Jacobson-Loehle at Jacobson Realty and Home Staging today.

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