10 Cleaning Tips When Preparing Your Home
There are numerous tips and tricks for preparing a home for sale. You need to get everything ready, including cleaning, as well as hiring agents. Home staging is undoubtedly one of the most crucial aspects of the home selling process, but before you get there, a thorough cleaning is essential.
Preparing your home might seem daunting, but this checklist will hopefully ease your stress and transform your house into an appealing property. Deep cleaning sets the stage for impressive staging and listing photos, helping potential buyers visualize their life in your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, about 58% of buyer's agents have stated that a clean house is more attractive.
Your aim when selling your home is to make it as appealing as possible. The most cost-effective way to achieve this is through thorough cleaning, even in the most hidden corners of your home. Here's how to clean your house to perfection and make it ready for sale.
Here are cleaning tips when preparing your home for sale.
Chapters
| • Declutter and Depersonalize • Smell Test | |
| • Use The Right Cleaning Supplies • Scrub Bathroom | |
| • Focus on Kitchen • Touch-up and Repair | |
| • Carpet Cleaning • Hire a Cleaning Service | |
| • Examine Fixtures • Overall Checklist To Help | |
| • Dust |
1. Declutter and Depersonalize
Clutter can take up a lot of space, and space is one of the main factors that can help a home sell faster. Clutter affects the selling process in two significant ways: it distracts potential buyers from the home's features and makes the house look cramped and uninviting.
Decluttering your home can be a challenging task, but it's also one of the most crucial tasks to undertake, as it significantly impacts the selling process. No one wants to step into a cluttered house where they can't appreciate the home's beauty due to the numerous random items scattered around.
While the clutter may suit your taste and personality, it may not appeal to everyone. If you're serious about selling your home quickly, temporarily remove all personal belongings, family photos, artwork, clothes, and miscellaneous items from sight. This allows prospective buyers to better visualize themselves living in the space, free from distractions.
When someone is considering buying a home, they want to envision themselves and their belongings in the space. Your personal items can make it harder for them to do so. Therefore, it's essential to remove all family photos, personal belongings, artwork, clothes, and any miscellaneous items from countertops and surfaces. This helps potential buyers see themselves occupying the space without being distracted by your personal items.
2. Use The Right Cleaning Supplies
Every home has different surfaces, whether it's glass, wood, stone, leather, or granite; each surface requires specific cleaning products to avoid damage and ensure they sparkle. Below is a list of surfaces that need attention in each room, along with recommended cleaning supplies.
| Kitchen | Bathroom | Living Room | Bedroom | Garage |
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Recommended supplies:
- Microfiber cleaning cloths
- Heavy Duty All Purpose Scrub Brush
- Rubber Cleaning Gloves
- Paper Towels
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Wood Cleaner
- Magic Eraser
- Glass Cleaner
- Clean and Shine Spray
- Cooktop and Stove Cleaner
3. Focus on Kitchen
The kitchen is a significant part of the house. Even if your kitchen is outdated, you can impress buyers by simply cleaning it and clearing the countertops. Fewer items on the counters create the illusion of more space.
Don't forget to pay attention to the fridge, dishwasher, and oven. While you may be accustomed to their appearance and smell, buyers want to see them in pristine condition, so make sure to empty them and clean all shelves thoroughly. It might be a tedious task, but it will have a significant impact on the overall impression of the room.
Wipe down all appliances inside and out, then turn your attention to the cabinets, drawers, and knobs. Consider staging your refrigerator and pantry neatly, ensuring everything is organized. Overall, give this room a thorough cleaning, as it's one of the most frequently used areas in the house.
4. Carpet Cleaning
While hiring a professional floor cleaning service can save time and ensure your carpets and floors are spotless, if that's not an option, make sure to vacuum thoroughly, paying special attention to cracks and corners, and consider scrubbing floors and tiles. A deodorizer like baking soda can help eliminate odors.
A cleaning machine can work wonders in removing stains and accumulated dirt from floors, including carpets. The flooring in a house can significantly influence whether it feels new and clean or old and musty.
Without proper carpet cleaning, dirt becomes embedded in the carpet, bacteria can multiply, allergens may accumulate, and your family could be exposed to contaminants. Regular carpet cleaning is essential for maintaining your family's health and well-being.
5. Examine Fixtures
Ensure that all fixtures are dust-free and in working order. Replace any lightbulbs that have burnt out and use a microfiber cloth to remove any stains.
Homes experience wear and tear over the years that may go unnoticed. Make an effort to restore fixtures to their original appearance or replace them if necessary. Potential buyers don't want to purchase a house with a list of repairs to tackle, so ensure that everything is clean and functioning.
While replacing fixtures may seem like an inconvenience, it will save you time and money when selling the house. Buyers prefer homes with working appliances and fixtures, so take the time to ensure everything is in good condition and clean.
6. Dust
Dusting down baseboards, ceiling fans, light switches, appliances, doors, and all nooks and crannies is crucial for creating a clean and appealing home. Even small, seemingly insignificant areas can make a big difference in the overall impression.
Taking the time to dust your entire house doesn't require much effort but can significantly enhance the cleanliness and appeal of your home. Whether you opt for a budget-friendly duster or simply use a paper towel, the key is to cover every surface.
7. Smell Test
You may have become accustomed to the smell of your home, making it challenging to detect any potential odors that could deter buyers. Invite someone who doesn't live in your house to perform a smell test to ensure there are no lingering odors.
Your nose might be immune to pet odors, cooking smells, and other scents in your home. To create an inviting atmosphere, consider using scented oil diffusers and baking goods to enhance the scent. Additionally, cleaning your house with all-purpose cleaners can help eliminate odors.
8. Scrub Bathroom
The bathroom is a heavily used room, so invest the time to scrub every surface and remove any stains or dirt. Pay particular attention to sinks and tubs/showers, as these are areas that most people closely inspect due to their daily use.
Don't overlook drains; clean them with a drain cleaner or a homemade mixture. If your bathroom grout has mold, use bleach cleaner spray to refresh it and consider recaulking.
While the bathroom may be a small space, it has many nooks and crannies that require attention. A clean bathroom is essential, so make sure to clean around the toilet, wipe down mirrors, and clean appliances to revitalize the room.
9. Touch-up and Repair
Inspect your home for small holes, scratches, or scuffs, and touch them up to give your home a polished look. Minor repairs are part of regular maintenance and don't require much time or effort. Also, be mindful of any larger repairs that may be necessary, such as major appliances.
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in making your home appear newer, even if it's not. All homes require some level of maintenance, and addressing minor imperfections can enhance your home's appeal without distracting buyers.
Some common touch-ups and repairs include:
- Cleaning baseboards
- Touching up paint
- Improving outdoor appearance
- Fixing leaky faucets
- Patching holes
- Upgrading lighting fixtures
- Cleaning windows and walls with a cloth
10. Hire a Cleaning Service
Cleaning a house thoroughly can be a time-consuming task, and many people may not have the time to do it themselves. Consider hiring a residential cleaning service, especially if you're in a hurry to sell. There are various services available, so be sure to find one that fits your needs and budget in your area.
Here are some cleaning services in Rhode Island and Massachusetts:
- Ocean State Cleaning
- Massachusetts MaidPro
- Rhode Island Cleaning Services
11. Overall Checklist To Help
- Countertops
- Refrigerator
- Oven and stove
- Dishwasher
- Toilet
- Sink, tub, shower
- Mirrors
- Dusting
- Sweep, vacuum, wash floors
- Polish/Clean furniture
- Clean Smells
FAQS
What should you do to prepare your home to sell?
To prepare your home for sale, clean it thoroughly both inside and outside, enhance curb appeal, and declutter and depersonalize the home.
How clean should a house be when you buy it?
When buying a home, it should at least be wiped down and cleaned. While it doesn't need to be perfect, it should be presentable with vacuumed floors, wiped-down countertops and appliances, and a well-maintained lawn.
Why should you declutter your home before selling?
Decluttering your home before selling not only makes it more visually appealing but also allows potential buyers to envision themselves living there without being distracted by your personal belongings.
Cleaning Tips When Preparing Your Home for Sale - The Bottom Line Preparing your home for sale in Rhode Island and Massachusetts may seem like a daunting task, but these tips and tricks can help simplify the process. Thoroughly cleaning your house and hiring agents are critical first steps.
Home staging is also essential and can significantly impact the selling process. To achieve an appealingly staged home, it's crucial to start with a deep clean to set the stage for quality staging and listing photos, allowing potential buyers to picture themselves in the space.
Your goal is to make your house as attractive as possible, and the most cost-effective way to achieve this is by cleaning every nook and cranny. By following this checklist and ensuring that your house is spotless, you can turn your home into a marketable property.
If you're looking to move or need assistance with selling your home, contact us or visit our website. Our team at Rhode Island and Massachusetts Realty is here to help you with all your home-buying or selling needs.
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