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Ready to Sell - Deep Clean.
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An immaculately clean house reads as a well loved house. Clean your home from top to bottom. Paint over anything that will not clean up. |
Baths
- Bath tile should be cleaned with mildew cleaner.
- If the tub caulk is darkened, replace it. This comes in rolls, which can be easily installed.
- Wash or replace shower curtains.
- Make sure all soap residue is removed.
Kitchen
- Kitchen appliances must sparkle.
- Stove burner pans are easily replaced at Home Depot. Never wrap them in foil.
- Make sure the oven is clean.
- Touch up or repaint any scuffed door trim, baseboards and cabinets.
- Use a scratch cover, oil or wax to heighten the color of wood trim.
- "Howard's Restore-a-finish" works wonders on scratched cabinets. (Benjamin-Moore Paints)
- Do not leave trash containers on display.
Windows
- Have the windows cleaned. Clean windows add a sparkle to the room.
- During showings we want you to open blinds and expose as much glass as possible.
- Nothing sells a house better than natural light.
- If your lights are dim, increase the size of the bulbs.
- Combine indoor lamp lighting with natural light for warm, cheerful rooms.
Smells
- Nice smells are subtle but very important. Buyers are sensitive to bad smells, and will be suspicious of a house with an odor.
- Use potpourri, candles or cinnamon sticks in hot water.
- Do no use air fresheners to cover up bad smells - this just compounds the problem. Remove the source of the smell first.
- Often, people cannot recognize a smell in their own home. We are prepared to give you frank feedback on smells if you have pets, smoke, or cook with strong spices.
- Unfortunately, if pets have used your carpet as a bathroom, the only choice is to replace the carpet. Cleaning does not work. The smell is in the pad and sub floor.
- In the garage, chemicals that have a strong odor should be sealed in plastic bags or removed.
Floors
- Floors must be immaculate.
- If the flooring is worn out, consider replacing it.
- Do no offer an allowance for carpet. If you are going to pay for new carpet, do it prior to marketing and benefit from the improvement in presentation.
- New carpet will transform a house. Don't worry about whether the buyers will like it. Just choose a neutral shade.
Walls
- Walls usually need touch up, especially if there are children or pets in the house. This makes a big difference in your presentation.
- Leave some labeled paint cans for your buyers - they will appreciate it.
- Surfaces that cannot be cleaned can be painted.
Exterior
- You may need to wash the exterior of your house with mildew cleaner, like chlorine bleach.
- Often the shady areas have dark stains that will disappear with washing.
- Deck wood may need to be washed and sealed.
- Clean flower beds and add fresh mulch.
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