Selling your house - Part 2

Now that we are looking to buy a house, something that really surprises me is how many people do not clean their home before they put it on the market. I have stepped over laundry in the middle of the room, been unable to see what color the countertops were through the clutter and been knocked over by the smell of kitchen garbage.

I understand that keeping a clean house is hard since we are all so busy that it is easy to let this slide and I have certainly been guilty of this but addressing this issue is really vital to selling your home.

2. Clean, clean and then clean your house again.

You really cannot expect a buyer to see pass the mess. It is not just about removing clutter and picking things up. Get out the scrub brushes and make the place shine. This matters because buyers tend to assume that a clean home is also a well maintained home.

Work to remove any unusual smells from pets or cooking. Put away the fish sauce and garlic for awhile. Take out the garbage every night.

Wipe out the window sills and wipe down the shoe moldings. Even though you are not selling your furniture, dust frequently and polish any glass table tops and mirrors.

Get the carpets cleaned unless they are very new. You need them to look their best and since many people assume that you have done your best to shine the place up, those spots on the carpet are assumed to be permanent. Even if all the spots do not come out, having the rugs cleaned will reduce or eliminate pet odors and will raise the nap of the carpet making it look less worn. Once you have them clean, vacuum every day if possible to keep them that way.

Pay particular attention to the bathrooms and the kitchen. These really must be spotless since most people look at these rooms very carefully. If the toilet or sink is so hopeless stained that it cannot be cleaned, you should seriously consider replacing or refinishing them. Make sure there is no mold in the edges of the sink or in the tile on backsplash. Replace any missing grout or caulking.

A lot of work? You bet but it is worth every bit of effort and will cost you very little. A side benefit is that you will develop better house keeping habits that will reduce your stress in long run and help you stay organized when you move to your new home.