Haul Fido and Fluffy off to a kennel, take down the wall of family portraits and send that beloved but battered old recliner to charity.

You never know what may turn off a potential home buyer who may snicker on the way out the door never to return. Realtors say it is wise for sellers not to take any chances.

For many sellers, it’s wise to pay heed to many of the time-honored tactics proffered by Realtors. Most of these ideas are not expensive but can take a lot of time and effort, which explains why many sellers often are not crazy about doing them.

But Realtors say they work.

The top suggestion may be one of the least expensive but one of the most difficult to convince sellers to do. De-clutter each room in your house, sending a fair amount of your home decor and belongings to a storage unit or to a favorite charity.

“One of the biggest mistake sellers make is to wait until their house is sold to start moving stuff out,” said Tom Swallow, broker with RealtyPro Metro in Salt Lake City. “Don’t wait. Move a lot of it into a storage unit now. The house will feel roomier, brighter and more cheerful.”

De-cluttering is especially important for owners who collect things or those who have decorated their homes in a particular style.

Swallow also said sellers too often neglect their walls when trying to de-clutter. Some of the biggest offenders to potential buyers could be large paintings, family pictures or religious artwork. Too much on the walls can make it difficult for buyers to envision living there, he said, and also can make rooms and hallways appear smaller and darker than they actually are. Don’t forget to repair any damage to walls caused by what once hung there.

“The goal should be to make the house as neutral as possible,” he said.

Sellers willing to spend more money neutralizing their homes should consider light-colored carpet and paint and fixtures, Realtors say. Dark colors can make some small homes appear even smaller.

Need some inspiration? Patti Wardley, an associate broker for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Heber City, Utah, recommends visiting a model home in a new subdivision.

“People prefer brand-new homes,” she said. “That is why you have to make your home so beautiful and clean that people feel good about one that is not new.”

“If you have the time before you have to show your home, light some candles, put on soft music and (if it is daytime) open your blinds,” she said. “You want an ambiance” just like those created by new home builders.

That also means no pets inside the home, Wardley said. Indoor pets often are one of the biggest turn-offs for potential buyers who have no pets.