Everyone has heard that your home needs to be in "showing condition" when you put it on the market to be sold. But what exactly is "showing condition"? Does it just mean that you pick up the kid's toys and dirty laundry? Not really. Here are some tips to help get your home in "showing condition" and what makes a home SHINE. Let's get your home SOLD!
Buyers look at small details. If you ask a buyer what they like about one home over the other, often times they can not tell you-especially if they see two homes of the same floorplan. Here we go:
Ceilings and Walls-
- Cobwebs- Many people like those beautiful High Ceilings but quite honestly, they are a pain in the rear to maintain. If you are listing your home, take a little bit of time to get the Dust and Cobwebs off of the ceilings.
- Finger Prints- Mix up some Formula 409 and water and wipe down the walls. There is probably Dust, Finger and Hand Prints, etc. on them. Make them Sparkle.
- Woodwork- I know, I don't like to do it either-but cleaning up the Door casings, and woodwork along the floor makes a huge difference. They do get dusty. Don't forget about behind the appliances and electronics. Don't forget the doors.
Bathrooms-
- Shower Doors- Buyers don't like to see hard water stains on Glass Shower Doors. Try some CLR or any other product that might help
- Corners and woodwork- Don't forget to do the bathrooms
- Soap Dishes- Wipe them out. If they look stained, try some bleach if they are made of a material that can take it.
- Sinks- Same thing.
- Toilets- and again.
Kitchen-
- Pantry- You don't have to go all out and Alphabetize your pantry, but you could organize it. With it being Disorganized it may make it look too small.
- Cabinets- Same thing.
- Countertops- De-Clutter. Make the room look spacious, add some greenery such as a small plant.
- Corners, Walls, Woodwork- and again.
- Floors- Clean Grout in tile if needed.
Appliances- Go ahead and clean those up too. When was the last time that you cleaned the vent hood, stove top and oven? Same thing with the Microwave.
Bedrooms-
- Corners, Walls, and don't forget the windows.
- De-Clutter- This means the closet. If they are stuffed, it will leave the potential buyers with the feeling that they are too small.
- Dirty Clothes- Try to hide them in a clothes hamper or anything else.
Utility Room-
- Corners, Walls and Woodwork
- Clean up the Washer and Dryer
- Cabinets or Shelves- De-Clutter and organize.
- Floors- Clean them up. Clean Grout in tile if needed.
Other items to consider are Light Bulbs if they are burned out, Window Blinds get dusty, Drapes get dusty, those really high shelves that you can only see the top of when you go upstairs ( the potential buyers will see those).
All of these small items add up and make a home Dazzle. This is what can separate your home from any other one and the buyer may not know why. If you are not the cleaning type, ask myself or your agent if they know a local cleaning company that specializes in preparing homes for sale. It may be worth the money. Doing these small cleanups up front could not only help to save you money when negotiating, they can help to get your home sold quicker.
Now that you feel that the inside of your home is ready, don't forget about the outside. Curb appeal is the Buyer's first impression of the home. For a post on Curb Appeal, You can read it here.
Stephanie, Good information, how do you feel about Internet photos being the new curb appeal? Gary
Hey Gary, totally...the pictures are the new curb appeal. I totally agree.
Thanks Paula, There is a big difference.
Hi Chuck, Exactly. If they see mildew on the window sill...or something like that, it goes down from there. They either don't want it or try to make it up in price. That's my experience anyhow.
Thanks Matt. I totally agree.
Hey Susie, Exactly!!!
Stephanie, You said it all my friend. OH, bathrooms are number one on my list.
Hi Stephanie - what a terrific list you've put together here! I would love to print this up and share it with sellers and potential sellers - great job!
Ann
Hey Mana, I just realized that I don't have 'dust the ceiling fans' on there. :) I think the kitchen is numero uno on mine.
Hi Ann, Thanks!
Hi Tom, How would you tag it?
Stephanie,
Great post as usual.....my home is open for all home cleaners and home stagers to drop by and show off their work.......
Stephanie, we have high ceilings - and cobwebs - in our house. And the owners prior to us put popcorn on those ceilings, making it even more difficult to keep them clean. (Arggghhhh!) Something that I've found extremely useful in getting those clean is a shop vac with a long extension made of PVC pipe (sized to fit the vacuum's tube) and a ring clamp. Works wonders and is extremely easy to use (once you get the hang of it). You can make it long enough to fit the height of the ceilings in question.
Geesh Stephanie...
Some of what you have said reminds me that ...
I need to do some cleaning. Ceiling fans? Hmmm. I bet my cleaning lady hasn't touched those in at least a year.
Hey. Maybe "Super TLW" can get the job done :)
Sorry. I am in one of those goofy moods of mine :)
TLW...ROAR!
Stephanie,
Great detailed list. I've heard of vacuming the rafters and pipes in the basement ceiling too. There was an obsessive seller I knew that also waxed appliances, furnace, hot water heater and ductwork!
Stephanie,
Somtimes you assume people get it. Other times you just have to spell it out. I think most agents should keep their homes in "showing" condition too!! You set a presedence for others.
Stephanie,
Great tips! As simple as some of this may seem, I think we all have a bit of cleaning to do:-)
Stephanie--Great comprehensive list for sellers to get their homes ready to be SOLD!!
Stephanie,
These are all great tips that many homeowners don't think about because most people live in their homes and get used to seeing what might be otherwise obvious to those picky Buyers.
Julie, That's a great idea! I wonder if I can find someone...
Thanks Thesa, That's a great tip.
Wow Tricia, Great idea!!!!!!! Thanks!
Hey TLW, LOL. :) I have plenty of cleaning to do myself...I bet my fans are dusty....way dusty. No streamers yet though. Ha.
Thanks David!!
Wow Debbie, That's interesting. I have never heard of waxing appliances.
Hi Tracy, As someone else mentioned...everyone has a different definition for clean. It helps to break it down sometimes. Thanks!
Hi Jason, I know I need to do a whole lot of cleaning and decluttering in my house. :) But it's not on the market....This stuff makes an incredible difference to buyers.
Thanks Teri!!
Hi Lisa and Robert, That is so true. We live in our homes day in and day out. We tend to forget about the fans...corners...etc.
Hi Marueen, I can add that to the post. :) Great idea!!
Hi Paula, That is so true. Clean has a different definition to everyone. Thanks!!
Stephanie,
Great advice. This would make a great part to a listing presentation.
Great stuff.... or, I just leave it all to the stager to deal with.... I know a really good one that works here in The Woodlands.... in fact, I was helping her stage a home today!!! The last home she staged for me we sold in 1 day!!!
Thanks Mike, I think it is imperative for sellers to be on their toes...showing condition is just one part of that.
Hi Lisa...that's a good idea! :)
Hi Carey, Another Great Idea!!!
Thanks Gena.... :) Nice to see you stop by.
Thanks Bob and Carolin!
Thanks Katerina, I have thought about doing that.....just haven't yet.
Hi Lance, Congrats on that deal! Sounds like you have a good stager!