Don't fake clean the property, instead clean it like you mean it!
✓ The Bathroom: You probably have heard that a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, it is the same with the bathroom of the house. This tiny room, very often neglected, can say a thousand words about the way you maintain your home. Make sure the baths, toilets, sinks and showers are sparkling clean. Thoroughly disinfect the toilet with bleach and make sure drains are unblocked and not omitting drain smells. Empty washers and dryers and hide away your dirty laundry. If you are selling your house furnished, viewers might want to open the appliances. Bathroom makes no exception. Make sure the tiles are clean too (re-grout them where necessary). Make sure there is no mold and mildew in the bathroom - these are a huge turn off for potential buyers.
✓ Hardwood Floors: Hardwood flooors have the potential to increase the price of your property, but you have to present them in all their beauty.Wipe and polish thoroughly. Add an area rug for ambiance and warmth.
✓ Windows and glass panels in doors: Hire a professional end of lease company to clean the windows on the outside of the home and tackle the ones inside yourself, if you want to. Either way, windows are important as clean windows let in more natural light and create a good impression. Remember that on a sunny day, dirty windows are even more obvious. While washing the windows inspect for any cracked panes that need replacing.
✓ Clean the Bedrooms: Empty, masculine bedrooms with stripped beds are a huge turn-off for women buyers, so try to make
them more inviting. Instead of a stripped bed, add sheets and duvets in neutral colours. Make the beds and ensure bedding is clean, ironed, matching and of good quality. De-clutter the wardrobe, in case a prospective buyer opens the door. You don't want to swamp them in a pile of clutter. Opt for soft lighting in the bedroom.
✓ Clean the Curtains and Blinds: Clean, iron and re-hang curtains and nets. Use a mild detergent dilluted with water to wipe blinds clean. Choose curtains in pale and neutral colours to create a cosy feeling, without forcing a taste on viewers. Rarely you will see a home that doesn't have curtains or blinds. This is because they give every home a finished look and a sense the place is habitable and domestic.
✓ Clean the Light Fittings and Lamp Shades: These can be easy to forget, so give them a good wipe down. People usually pay attention to how the place is lit.
✓ Clean The Kitchen: The cooker and oven should be spotless - a task that's likely to require a lot of elbow grease, unless you hire an end of lease cleaning company to do it for you. Make sure the fridge is clean and smelling fresh and the freezer is de-frosted. Again, prospective buyers might want to open kitchen cupboards and any appliances that go with the house. If your appliances are too filthy you can always book an end of lease cleaning company. If you are not living in the property this is particularly beneficial, as you will have to book professionals either way when you sell it. You might just do it before the viewing so you can achieve the maximum potential of your property.
✓ Ditch Clutter: Remove any clutter, doll and tedy collections and anything that will make the property look busy. As mentioned before, the purpose it to allow the potential buyers to envision themselves living there. Clutter can block that image in their minds and will make the property look small. All your personal touches have to go.
✓ Watch Out for Smells: eliminate pet odours, cigarette smoke, fridge smell and any odours coming from the drains. According to real estate agents these can significantly reduce your chances for a quick sale, while the smell of a freshly brewed coffee and oven baked bread is way more inviting and creates a lovely first imression. However, if you don't have the hours a day and can't afford to have your hands up to your elbows in dough, that's understandable. Don't feel like you have to do any of these to promote a sale, but pay attention to whiffs. You can use air fresheners, but chose ones with a natural fragrance, not those artificial and nasty smelling ones. You don't want to give your viewers allergies. Adding fresh flowers will too give your home a lovely scent and will enhance its looks.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
