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Deep Clean the Whole House
Cleaning is THE most important thing to do to get your house ready for sale, and it costs you nothing but your time and attention. Start with the most visible areas first:
1) Entry
This is the area that buyers tend to linger and the place they form their first impressions. Make sure the outside (front steps and/or porch) and inside (foyer) are immaculate.
• Sweep the outside
• Clear cobwebs
• Clean doors and glass
• Replace dirty or worn rugs
2) Kitchen
The kitchen is a crucial and well-used part of the house. Remove all crumbs, grease and grime.
• Wipe inside and outsides of cabinetry
• Scrub countertops and backsplash
• Clean all surfaces of appliances and underneath
• Scrub and polish the sink
3) Bathrooms
It goes without saying – bathrooms can be gross. Bring yours to showing condition so they feel fresh.
• Thoroughly clean glass, sink, vanity, toilet, tub/shower
• Clean grout and any hard water stains
• Scrub away any mold
For the whole house, CLEAN-CLEAN-CLEAN from top to bottom:
• Scrub hard floors
• Clean carpets (professional is best)
• Clean baseboards
• Wash walls (and/or fresh paint)
• Wash windows
• Wipe down doors
• Clear cobwebs
• Clean light fixtures
Some other whole-house things that need attention, but often get overlooked:
• Wipe light switch plates
• Vacuum vents
• Clean exhaust fan covers
• Clean under furniture
• Wipe shelves in closets
And one last thing…(but a BIG one):
Be aware of, and eliminate odors!
The culprits can be pets, cooking, soil, stale air, smoke or dampness. DO NOT use air fresheners. They only add fragrance to the odor, which can be equally offensive to sensitive buyers.
The best ways to ensure your house does not have odors are:
1) Remove the source of the odor
2) Do a thorough cleaning
3) Clean carpets (or replacing with new is best)
4) Open windows and air the house out
Cleaning your house to prep it for sale is hard work – if you’re not up to it, be sure to hand a good long list over to your housecleaner. When done well, it’s sure to get your house to capture buyers’ serious interest, making them feel good the instant they walk in.
Missed the first three posts in this series? Check out:
Month 1: November, Clear out garage and storage
Month 2: December, Declutter closets
Month 3: January, Declutter kitchen and living spaces
Month 4: February: Schedule Professional Services
