How to Help Your Seller Pack (Without Adding to Their Stress)
By Ron Felton DRE #02059344 Broker, Relocation Advocate

Selling a home can be an emotional journey — and for many of our sellers, the most overwhelming part isn’t the paperwork or the negotiations… it’s the packing.

As listing agents, we’re not just marketers or contract specialists — we’re also emotional support and logistics partners. Helping your seller pack with compassion, organization, and smart strategies can make a world of difference in their overall experience — and help get the home ready for market faster.

Here’s how to guide your seller through the process with empathy and efficiency:

1. Start with a Simple Plan

Before the boxes come out, help your seller map out a basic packing plan. Suggest breaking the house down into zones or categories (e.g., seasonal items, closets, storage areas, etc.). Encourage them to start with non-essential spaces so they don’t feel like their life is being turned upside down all at once.

Tip: A shared checklist or simple room-by-room printable can help keep them on track without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Encourage the “Keep, Donate, Toss” Rule

As your client sorts through items, suggest they use three categories:

• Keep (must-have or take with them)

• Donate/Give Away (gently used but no longer needed)

• Toss (damaged, expired, or unusable)

You can offer a list of local donation centers or even recommend Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, or neighborhood apps like Nextdoor where items can find new homes quickly.

Bonus: Offer to help them post a few items or coordinate a donation pickup day if time allows. It’s a small gesture that builds major trust.

3. Be Compassionate With Sentimental Items

One of the hardest parts of packing is facing personal items with emotional weight — photos, heirlooms, kids’ artwork, and things that carry memories.

This is where your role becomes more than logistical. Be patient. Let your client share a story or explain the meaning of an item if they want to. Never pressure them to discard something that they’re not ready to let go of.

A great strategy: suggest they create a “memory box” — a small bin where they can place items they’re not ready to part with, even if they’re not planning to display them in the next home. It allows for emotional closure without forcing tough decisions in the moment.

4. Set the Stage — Without Overstepping

As a listing agent, you know how important staging and decluttering are. But pushing your seller too hard too fast can backfire.

Instead of saying “you need to clear this room out,” try:
“If we lighten this space a bit, buyers can better appreciate the natural light. Would you like help deciding which pieces to pack now and which to keep out for showings?”

This softens the approach and invites collaboration — not criticism.

5. Offer Practical Resources

Some sellers just need a gentle push — others need hands-on help. Consider keeping a list of trusted local resources such as:

• Packing or organizing professionals

• Junk haulers or donation pickup services

• Moving box delivery companies

• Storage unit providers

You don’t need to take on every task yourself, but offering connections makes you the go-to problem solver — and that’s something clients never forget.

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Packing is rarely perfect. Remind your seller to take breaks, drink water, and focus on progress over perfection. Celebrate milestones like finishing a room or completing a donation run. Send a quick text:
“You’re doing amazing — this place is starting to shine!”

Those few words can make a huge emotional difference.

Final Thoughts

Helping your seller pack is about more than boxes and tape — it’s about meeting them where they are emotionally and guiding them toward what’s next.

As listing agents, we’re in a unique position to make this transition feel lighter, easier, and even hopeful.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about getting their home sold — it’s about helping them move forward.