Did you know that cleaning your house can help you sell your house for more? If your house isn’t clean it may result in a lower sale price and can cost you a sale altogether – even in the current seller’s market that obtains throughout most of the country right now. Cleaning – cleaning judiciously – is just that important. So check out these 5 cleaning tips to help you sell your house for more money in Atlanta.
1. Declutter First
A good cleaning in preparation for selling your house should begin with a thorough decluttering. That means getting rid of or at least getting out of sight all that junk that has piled up in your home over the years. That’s really not much that will turn buyers off as quickly as a cluttered, untidy home.
So put your emotions aside and clear out all that stuff ruthlessly, making sure to put away all the personal items that imprint your personality on the home. Be should be able to envision your house as their home and imagine themselves living there with all their belongings. But they just can’t do that if the house is still filled with your stuff.
2. Focus on Floors
Floors are important for many buyers, so if you want to sell your house for more money in Atlanta, focus on the floors. Make sure they are clean, sparking, and odor free.
Steam cleaning all carpeting is a must. And if you can’t get out all stains and odors, you should probably consider installing new carpeting. Tile and wood floors should be cleaned and polished to look as appealing as possible. Your goal should be to get as close to showroom quality as possible (because buyers want that), and immaculate floors will go a long way toward helping you achieve that look.
3. Concentrate on the Kitchen
A top priority for almost all buyers is the kitchen. In fact, it can be the true selling point of a home. So in preparing to sell your house, you absolutely should concentrate on the kitchen and put in plenty of time to make it look good.
It’s best to set aside more than one day for the kitchen and then tackle it one appliance or section at a time. Make sure to clean each and every kitchen appliance thoroughly, clean all countertops, and, as we mentioned, make the kitchen floor sparkle.
4. Clean the Bathrooms
Next in importance may be the bathrooms. Although it’s not a fun job, a lot of effort should go into making the sparkle. Here are the basics . . .
- Clean the sink and toiler with either a commercial cleaner or a good homemade one.
- Use an old toothbrush to clean crevices and hard-to-reach places.
- Clean and bleach tile grout, making sure there are no signs of mole or mildew.
- Scrub the walls. If this doesn’t do the trick, re-paint the bathroom walls.
- Clean and polish the floor.
Finally, if the bathroom fixtures are outdated, you should probably consider replacing them.
5. Enhance Curb Appeal and Stage the Backyard
While not strictly a cleaning tip, this is important enough to include here to help you sell your house for more money. Be sure to work on curb appeal and then stage the backyard.
Curb appeal creates that critical great first impression that makes buyers want to go inside and see more – and then possibly make an offer. So make sure your yard is in tip-top shape and that the exterior of the house looks its best.
Because the backyard is often the last thing buyers see, they will remember what they see. A staged backyard will allow them to envision themselves spending time there and enjoying that staged outdoor living space.
You can hire a professional stager, or you can contact a Atlanta agent for some backyard-staging tips. To discover more, just call (404) 977-5054.
Consult a Atlanta Agent
Everyone knows how to clean a house, but cleaning your house to sell for more money is another matter. Your best bet is to use these tips we’ve provided and then consult an experienced agent for more tips on how to clean to sell for more. Your agent will know exactly what is needed in the local market. If you want to sell your house for more money in Atlanta, contact us at (404) 977-5054.