The Ultimate Cleaning Checklist Before Selling a Home
As a home seller, you want to ensure that your home is presented in the best possible light in order to attract as many potential buyers as possible. By doing so you’ll be able to sell your home for top dollar in the shortest amount of time. In order to achieve this, you’ll need to take the time to make sure your home looks its best and is “staged for success” because the better your home looks the more money you’ll net.
Top 8 Things to Clean Prior to Listing a Home for Sale
Here are 8 tips to help make your home look beautiful and get it sold quickly. However, this isn’t just any checklist for cleaning a messy house. It’s a real estate cleaning checklist, one with specific tasks that should be done prior to listing a home for sale.
1. Remove Clutter
Removing clutter from your home is an essential step in any house-cleaning checklist but it’s a necessity when selling. Clutter can not only be visually unappealing but it can scare potential homebuyers away.
To maximize efficiency and make your home feel open and inviting, it’s important to declutter and sort items into three piles: keep, donate and throw away. You will want to do this in every single room of your home, including the garage.
Once sorted, the items that need to be thrown away should be disposed of properly and the items that will be kept should be put away in a designated area or packed away. Donating items that are still in good condition can help those in need and will help to quickly reduce clutter from your home.
2. Dust & Wipe Down All Surfaces
Making sure your home is clean and looks well-maintained is a must when selling and it starts with dusting and wiping down all surfaces. You’ll want to dust every single object in your home and use a feather duster or vacuum with an attachment for hard-to-reach areas.
This includes furniture, decorative objects, wall hangings, cabinetry, baseboards, and even the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling, it’s one of the most overlooked areas to clean. Dusting and wiping down everything throughout your home will go a long way when it comes to making a good impression on potential buyers.
3. Sweep, Vacuum & Mop
Sweeping and vacuuming are key steps in making and keeping your home clean. First, use a broom to sweep your floors, paying special attention to corners and tight spaces. Next, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust and dirt that the broom may have missed. Finally, use a mop to sanitize the floors and make them look shiny and new.
When selling a home this is a step you’ll need to do regularly especially if you have pets and kids that make messes regularly.
Cleaning a home prior to listing it for sale is a must and to help home sellers out I have put together an Ultimate Cleaning Checklist to follow! #realestate #homeselling
4. Clean & Sanitize All Appliances
Keeping appliances clean and sanitized is an important part of any home cleaning checklist. It is important to clean the exterior of all appliances, as well as the interior parts of fridges and ovens, to ensure proper hygiene and to prevent any build-up of dust and dirt.
Regular cleaning of appliances also helps to keep them in good working condition. Additionally, it is important to use specific cleaning products that are designed specifically for each type of appliance, such as a stovetop cleaner or fridge deodorizer. Taking the time to properly clean and sanitize all appliances will ensure your home looks sanitized and clean to potential home buyers.
5. Wash Windows & Mirrors
Giving windows and mirrors a thorough clean is a must. Doing so will help ensure that the natural light entering your home is bright and clear, while also keeping these reflective surfaces free of dust and grime.
To get the best results, use a window cleaner, paper towels, and a squeegee for exterior surfaces and a glass cleaner, microfiber cloth, and a newspaper for interior surfaces. For all interior windows, make sure to use a ladder or step stool to reach the top, and don’t forget to clean the exterior of all windows. However, if you just don’t have time or know how to do your own spring cleaning, we recommended checking out domestic cleaning services.
6. Deep Clean Bathrooms & Kitchen
Deep cleaning your bathrooms and kitchen is an essential part of a complete house cleaning. Start by dusting all surfaces and wiping down counters. Next, scrub the showers and tubs with a good cleaner, paying special attention to the grout. In some cases you may need to regrout your bathroom tile if chunks are missing or the grout is discolored. Don’t forget to clean the fan, light fixtures, and windows!
In the kitchen, be sure to clean the inside and outside of all cabinetry, counters, appliances, walls, pantry, and furniture. Finally, mop or sweep all floors to finish up your deep cleaning of these areas.
7. Tidy Up Your Garage
Creating a tidy and organized garage is a must when selling. Start by sorting through your belongings and discarding any items that you no longer need, including tools, gardening supplies, and outdoor furniture.
Next, clean the walls and floor of the garage to remove any dirt or debris. Finally, group items together in a logical manner, such as sports equipment in one corner and automotive supplies in another. Doing this will make it easier to find items when you need them and keep your garage looking neat.
8. Empty Trash Cans & Dispose of Garbage Properly
Taking out the trash is a critical part of any house cleaning checklist. Emptying all trash cans and disposing of the garbage properly is an essential step in maintaining a clean and healthy home. It not only eliminates odors, but also reduces the risk of pests and germs that can accumulate with an overflowing bin.
Additionally, it helps to keep the home looking neat and tidy. To ensure a successful and thorough cleaning, make sure to empty all trash cans and properly discard any garbage before moving on to the next task.
Final Thoughts
Following these steps in our cleaning checklist will help ensure that your home looks its absolute best when it’s time to sell. If you are unable to clean your home like a pro you may want to consider having a professional cleaning before selling your house. A professional cleaner is at your fingertips, all you have to do is google “professional cleaning before selling house near me” and endless results will be provided.
These simple but effective tasks on our cleaning checklist can make a big difference in the sale of a home, and can help make the property more desirable to potential buyers. Investing time, effort, and/or money into these tasks can help increase the chances of a successful sale, and ensure that the house is presented in its best light.
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Cleaning a home prior to listing it for sale is a must and to help home sellers out I have put together an Ultimate Cleaning Checklist to follow! #realestate #homesellingAbout the Author
Top Wellington Realtor, Michelle Gibson, wrote: “The Ultimate Cleaning Checklist Before Selling a Home”
Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you call or e-mail her today.
Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.
Michelle Gibson of the Hansen Real Estate Group Inc is a full-time REALTOR who has been specializing in Wellington Florida real estate since 2001. This veteran of the real estate industry has expertise in technology, marketing, and social media.