When you’re getting ready to list your home on the real estate market in Central Florida, you’ll need to improve its condition to ensure it attracts potential buyers. The first impression that you make on the guests will influence if they decide to make an offer on the property, which means it necessary to deep clean the setting. If you want to impress your home buyers, there are a few essential cleaning tips to follow to make the place spotless.
1. Wash the Windows
Although it’s normal for windows to accumulate spots and streaks over time, they can still cause the house to appear neglected and dingy if they’re dirty when you have a showing. The dirt may not be visible from certain angles, but it can still cast a weird hue on the glass and can affect the view of the outdoors. Make it a point to wash the windows on the inside and outside to ensure they’re transparent and look flawless.
2. Remove Clutter
Excess items and personal belongings can cause rooms in the house to feel smaller and cramped. Remove extra belongings like books, children’s toys, and seasonal clothing to open up rooms and closets. Any junk or clutter that is present will also be distracting and can take away from the appeal of the home. Avoid storing the items in hidden areas like cabinets because buyers will likely inspect those areas as they tour the home. Opt for renting a storage unit and keeping the items off of the property.
3. Choose Neutral Scents
Although baking chocolate chip cookies in the oven is an old trick that many realtors use to appeal to buyers during open houses, it’s important to stick to using natural and subdued scents in the home. The smell of the house will give your buyers insight on how clean it is, which makes it necessary to use neutral scents that are pleasant. Avoid overly strong aromas or perfumes, which can be distracting and even turn some buyers away. If strong scents are present, it can make them think that you’re trying to cover up odors or musty smells. Additionally, using air purifiers throughout the home and replacing the HVAC filter can remove odors.
4. Deep Clean The Carpets
If you have carpet in your home, you’ll need to give it a bit of TLC to restore its condition. Stains and dirt in areas where there’s a lot of traffic can cause the flooring material to look old. Hire a carpet company to deep clean all of the carpet and rugs that are present. You can also rent a steam cleaner and do the work yourself. Allow the carpet to thoroughly dry before you have any visitors.
5. Scrub The Showers
Potential buyers will also want to check out the tile that is installed in the showers and the condition of the bathrooms. You’ll want to use a bit of elbow grease to scrub the showers to remove hard water stains and any mold or mildew that may be present. During the process, scrub off the scale with scale removers and soak the showerhead in vinegar to restore its shine. An easy way to soak the showerhead without removing it is to use a bag of vinegar that hangs onto it.
6. Hire a Cleaning Service
After you’ve cleaned your home, you can remove excess grime and dirt that may still be present by hiring a professional cleaning service. Communicate what areas of the home need to be cleaned, especially if the ceiling fans need to be dusted or the baseboards need to be wiped down. Professional cleaners often do a better job at cleaning because they use commercial cleaners that remove grime more effectively. Some companies even offer home-staging cleaning services to ensure that you can get it ready to sell to potential buyers.
7. Perform a Final Sweep
Before it’s time to show your house to potential buyers, you’ll need to do a final sweep to ensure you didn’t overlook any areas. The carpet may need to be vacuumed again, or the dishwasher may need to be emptied. The garbage and recycling also need to be taken out of the home. The cleaning process will need to be repeated until you find a buyer to ensure that it’s presentable and doesn’t look dirty after several weeks of living in it.
Cleaning your home is one of the most important steps to take when you get it ready to sell to ensure that it’s presentable and comfortable for potential buyers. By using the right cleaning products and techniques, you can feel proud to show off your home and sell it faster.
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