Are you trying to sell your home and wondering how to make it more appealing to buyers? A clean and well-maintained home is always going to be more attractive than one that is messy or in need of repair. Here are a few cleaning and staging tips when listing your home that can help you sell your home faster.
Start with the kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house so potential buyers will be drawn there. Make sure your kitchen looks its best by giving it a thorough cleaning. Clear away any debris on your countertops, so that you can start with a clean surface. Remove smaller, rarely used appliances from the counters to open up space. Next, address appliances like your microwave, refrigerator, and oven by wiping them down inside and out. Finally, give the floor a thorough sweep and mop to make sure it’s sanitary and spotless. For staging, put out some fresh flowers and add a few pops of color to add visual interest.
Clean and organize the bathrooms
Cleaning the bathroom can be an arduous job, but it’s essential for keeping your home looking and smelling great. Potential buyers will take note of a home’s bathrooms to make sure they will fit their lifestyle. A dingy, dirty bathroom will do you no favors in terms of attracting buyers. Taking the time to scrub toilets, showers, and sinks until they sparkle is a surefire way to increase the aesthetics of any room.
Check details like grout and caulking and make any necessary repairs so everything looks well-maintained. Wash any throw rugs and make sure any leaky faucets are repaired. Make sure the lighting is adequate but not overwhelming. Make sure items like cosmetics and linens are neatly organized. Bathrooms are important areas in any home so make sure yours looks its best. For staging, utilize towels, throw rugs and shower curtains that accent the style of the room.
Vacuum all carpets and rugs and mop the floors
Vacuuming carpets and rugs ensure that these floor coverings look their best. Rent a carpet cleaner or hire a professional company to refresh your carpets. If you have hardwoods, laminate, or vinyl flooring, use a cleaning product recommended by the manufacturer to make them appear their best. A bonus is giving them a nice shine by applying a cleaner made specifically for hardwood floors – this will make your floors look brand new, boosting their aesthetic appeal to prospective buyers
Don’t forget about the rest of the house
When listing your home, be sure you clean everything. Every surface should be free of dust, from the windowsills to the ceiling fan blades. Not only does this make a more pleasant impression on potential buyers, but it also helps maintain the air quality in your home and can even prevent allergies or asthma flare-ups.
De-clutter every room and consider packing up large furniture or rarely used items and placing them in storage. Be sure to remove cobwebs from corners and baseboards as they can be easily missed while cleaning. If your baseboards and trim look shabby, take time to touch up the paint.
Make sure the walls and ceiling aren’t damaged, cracked, or stained. If they are, consider repainting them. Painting your walls a neutral color helps buyers envision themselves in the space. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression so do everything you can to make a good one!
Stage the home, including the front porch and the backyard
Home staging not only adds a touch of charm and elegance to any living space, but it can also be a key factor in helping prospective buyers envision themselves in the home. Staging doesn’t stop with the interior of your home, you can also stage your porch, deck, or backyard. Placing stylish furniture and lush plants will create an atmosphere that is both inviting and enticing. Buyers may be inspired to imagine hosting backyard barbecues, parties, or even a simple gathering around the fire pit. Outdoor entertaining spaces are deeply appealing to homebuyers, so taking the time to stage yours strategically will add tremendous value to your property.
Wash all windows inside and out
A sparkling home is always sure to make a great impression, and washing the windows is an important step in creating that attractive appearance. Cleaning windows inside and out can help maximize the light brought into the home, making it appear brighter, more open, and more inviting. From a seller’s perspective, this can also be a powerful visual cue to potential buyers that the house has been well cared for and maintained. Streak-free windows bring a property to life – so don’t forget to devote some time to giving them that extra shine!
Following these simple tips will make your home more presentable to prospective buyers and help you sell your home faster. Investing a little time and elbow grease in getting your house ready for sale will pay off in the end. Buyers will be able to see themselves living in a clean, well-maintained home and be more likely to put in an offer. So grab some cleaning supplies and get started!
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Richard has extensive experience in all aspects of buying and selling residential property. He has sold more than 400 homes and well over $100 million in residential real estate. There’s no need to guess. Get expert advice that will allow you to buy and sell with confidence and ease.
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