The Most VITAL Step in Preparing Your Home For Sale
The Crucial, Yet Most Overlooked Step in Preparing Your Home for Sale
If you're considering putting your home on the market, you've probably done some research on maximizing its appeal. From simple DIY projects promising the highest returns to strategic updates like fresh paint, enhancing curb appeal, flooring upgrades, hardware swaps, and professional staging – the list is extensive and yes still very relevant. However, amidst these projects lies a commonly neglected aspect- the cleanliness of your home. In short: PRIORITIZE A DEEP CLEAN!
When guiding my clients through the process of preparing their homes for sale, I often stress the significance of a deep clean. It's remarkable how such a relatively inexpensive step can profoundly impact the presentation of your home and set it apart from the competition. Consider it from the perspective of a prospective buyer.
During property viewings with my buyers clients, I can typically categorize homes on the market into three cleanliness tiers:
1. THE DIRTY THIRD
These homes often exhibit signs of neglect. Upon entering, one might notice the lack of a cleaning regimen – dirty floors, unkept bathrooms, and pet hair galore. Perhaps having served as a rental property with tenants who didn’t take care of things. The first impression to a buyer is often not great. It leaves buyers wondering "If the owners haven't maintained cleanliness, what else might they have neglected?"
2.THE LIVED-IN THIRD
This category encompasses homes that are generally well-maintained. This is how most homes look during typical day to day living. A few pet hairs on furniture, a few dishes in the sink, some streaks on the windows, or sand tracked into entryways. While not necessarily off-putting, these homes are deemed 'average' and don’t stand out in terms of cleanliness.
3. THE PRISTINE THIRD
Here lies the holy grail of cleanliness – I often joke, homes so immaculate you could eat off the floors! While it may seem like an unrealistic standard for everyday living (don’t worry, you only have to keep it this pristine for the showing period), these homes convey a profound sense of care and attention from their current owners. Basically seeing a home in that is pristinely clean screams well maintained. These homes make a great first impression to prospective buyers.
The key takeaway? Aim to position your home in the top tier – the pristine category. Doing so often means you have an edge over two-thirds of the competition!!! Achieving this level of cleanliness is entirely feasible with a bit of effort and minimal expense. However, if undertaking a deep clean isn't something you want to take on, consider hiring a professional cleaning service to ensure your home shines from top to bottom.
If you have any questions or require further guidance on preparing your home for the market, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help!
#AgentSam
Samantha Scribilo
Tel: (204) 960-8851
Email: Sam@JenniferQueen.com
