Cleanliness

The way we live in a home and the way we sell a house are two very different things.
When we live in a space, it is easy to overlook the dust bunnies hiding under the beds or the cookie crumbs beneath the table. Now I know all of the readers that are among the unlucky souls to possess an obsessive compulsion to dirt, this may seem foreign to you. However, the rest of the population may feel giving the house the once over in preparation for marketing their home is good enough. Unfortunately for the seller, buyers not only see these nasty little culprits but may consider not buying the home because the uncleanliness either seen or felt makes them feel uncomfortable.

Selling your home requires a homeowner to step into “Super Clean” mode. In Stager’s lingo, we refer to this as Q-tip Clean.

Clean kitchens and baths are on the top of the list. Really get into all the corners, as well as the tops of the refrigerator and cabinets. Sticky counters and floors are a big turn-off. No one wants their shoes to become one with the jelly left on the kitchen floor from your toddler’s breakfast toast. The bathtubs and toilets should appear as they would in a five star hotel. No rings around the edges.

Have all the carpets professionally cleaned. This will not only remove any spots or stains, but will take care of odors the homeowner may no longer even notice.

The windows should sparkle. As the sayings goes, let the sunshine in. Clean windows will make the space appear brighter and inviting.

We must not forget about curb appeal. Power- wash the house, deck and even the driveway. This is the first glimpse a buyer sees when they do their drive-by of a potential home. An unkempt exterior will keep their car rolling up to the neat as a pin exterior of your competition two streets away.

These are but a few of the tips to get you on your way to Sold. Look at your home through an imaginary eyeglass. The better your home shows, the quicker you can be on your way to your new destination. Once there, if the dust bunnies begin to fly it will no longer be an issue.