10 Things You Should NOT Have on Your Property When Selling Your Home

When your home goes on the market, it’s not just being shown to “nice buyers.” It’s being published publicly, sometimes globally, and that means you need to think about privacy, safety, and liability—not just aesthetics.

Here are the top things I recommend removing or avoiding before showings, open houses, and photos.

1. Personal Photos and Kids’ Names

I don’t recommend leaving personal photos up, and I definitely don’t recommend leaving kids’ names displayed (like letters over beds). It’s a privacy and security issue, and it’s simply not worth the risk.

You also want the home to feel neutral so buyers can picture themselves living there, not feel like they’re walking through someone else’s life.

2. Cameras Without Proper Notice

If you have surveillance—inside or outside—buyers should be clearly notified. Ring doorbells count too.

If your agent isn’t displaying proper signage, I recommend providing a visible notice yourself. People don’t like feeling recorded without knowing, and you don’t want to create a legal issue.

3. Valuables

Once your listing is live, there are good people and bad people paying attention. I recommend removing valuables completely, not “hiding them better.”

That includes jewelry, Rolexes, collectibles, and even high-end artwork. If it can be carried out easily, it shouldn’t be sitting in the house during showings.

4. Addictive Medications

This is a big one. If you have medications that could be targeted, I recommend taking them with you when you leave for a showing.

Floor plans and listing photos can make it very easy for someone to guess where bathrooms are and where people typically store certain items.

5. Personal Bills and Sensitive Documents

Don’t leave out bills, checkbooks, bank paperwork, or anything with personal details. If you keep documents in filing cabinets, I recommend locking them.

Even if you assume people “won’t go through drawers,” it only takes one person to create a major problem.

6. Uncovered Safes

A visible safe draws attention. If you have one in a closet, bedroom, or garage, I recommend covering it so it doesn’t stand out in photos or during showings.

You don’t need to advertise where you store valuables.

7. “Emotional” Memory Books or Notes

I’ve seen advice floating around that suggests leaving a memory book for buyers—photos, stories, “great neighbors,” “best trick-or-treat street,” and so on. I strongly discourage that.

Those are opinions, not facts, and they can create liability. When you communicate with buyers, stick to factual, verifiable information.

8. Evidence of Distress or Desperation

Buyers are observant, and if the home looks like someone moved out suddenly—half-empty vanities, half-empty closets, paperwork left behind—they may assume distress and try to negotiate harder.

Even in situations like divorce, foreclosure, or major life transitions, you want the home to present as stable and well-kept.

9. Plastic Carpet Runners and “Mandatory” Booties

I know this is unpopular, but I don’t recommend plastic carpet runners, and I don’t recommend requiring booties or forcing people to remove shoes.

If someone slips, trips, or gets tangled and is injured, you could be liable. It’s not worth creating a safety hazard to protect carpet that can be cleaned later.

If you want a happy middle ground, I’ll take my shoes off as a cue, and I’ll leave booties available without requiring them. Most respectful buyers follow suit on their own.

10. You

I don’t recommend being present for showings or open houses. Buyers are uncomfortable, they won’t speak freely, and it can affect how they experience the home.

You hired your agent to do the job—let them handle the showing and collect honest feedback for you.