Getting ready to sell? You want to make sure your home is in tip-top shape, and that includes a deep cleaning. A dirty home can be a real turn-off to potential buyers, especially if allergies are a concern. A good clean is the cheapest, most effective way to improve how buyers view your home and, whatever you do, don’t underestimate what a buyer will notice. What has become commonplace for you, may stand out like a sore thumb to them.
To help you prepare for cleaning day, here’s a list of 10 commonly overlooked areas.
- On top of ceiling fan blades. Buyers will be checking out all fixtures to determine their condition. Dirty ceiling fan blades can make a room look dingy.
- Inside light fixtures. After a while, bugs and dust can make their way inside light fixtures creating shadows and dimming light when they fixture is turn on. This can cast an ugly shadow on a room, not to mention that the buyers will see the dirt and bugs when they look directly at the light.
- In and around air vents. They’re one of those home features we learn to ignore, especially if they’re ceiling vents, but they gather dust and dirt (and tiny toys) easily.
- Windowsills. Blinds won’t hide windowsills from buyers, who will be looking at windows to determine their condition.
- On top of door frames. Like most things just out of eyesight, the top of door frames gather dust. If you’re on the short side, you probably won’t notice it, but taller buyers will. If your door has grooves in it, they too could use a wipe-down.
- Inside appliances. Buyers will looking at all appliances that remain with the home. That includes inside the oven, built-in microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator (if you’ve decided to leave it).
- In sliding door frames. If your home has a sliding door between the living areas and back yard, make sure you clean in the spaces that appear when the door is open, because buyers will look down when they walk through it.
- Light switch covers. Some of the dirtiest features of a home are the light switch covers. They’re some of the first things people touch when they enter a room, so they collect dirt, germs, and grime. The build-up is so gradual, you may not even realize how bad it is until you clean them.
- In and around sink drains. Food, hair, toothpaste, and makeup can collect in a home’s drains. This not only leaves gross chunks and residue, but it can slow down the flow of water and emit an odor. Clean them with some drain cleaner. There’s also a type of dishwashing soap that cleans your drains and makes them smell like fresh cucumbers.
- Front and back door mats. Though they may not come with the house, door mats can definitely set a level of expectation for the home. Make sure they’re clean. If they’re looking worn, it’s probably a good idea to invest in new ones, especially the one located at the main entrance.
Remember, how well the home is presented is a direct reflection of how well it’s been cared for over the years. The cleaner the home, the better chance of receiving an offer on it. Taking the time to make sure it looks the best it can will only benefit you, the seller.
Have a question about listing your Wilmington area home for sale? Give us a call at 910.202.2546 or send us a message through our Contact page.
