There are things home owners take for granted everyday like fingerprinted light switches, cobwebs on the chandeliers, and baseboard gunk that no buyer wants to see. Tackling these area with some basic cleaning tools adds up to a home that can be shown A++ for an easy sale.
Listed alphabetically, are some zones to put on your presale "to-do" list.
Appliances
Well-kept appliances indicate a well-kept home. Remove refrigerator decorations-they are distracting. Clean both the inside and outside of the appliances. Pull them out and clean the area beneath them. Use a small brush to clean the seal on the refrigerator and around the stove dials. Make the handles spotless.
If there are scratches on the appliances, unless they're stainless steel, you can purchase touch-up paint for fewer than five dollars.
Baseboards
Inspect baseboards for damage. Sand off old paint drips, brush off grime and use wood filler or wood glue to repair damage. Use a wood cleaner or re-varnish wood baseboards; touch up or repaint painted ones, as needed.
Blinds
Blinds get coated with a sticky dusty build-up. It is tedious, but each slat needsto be wiped with a grease-fighting product.
Doors
Look over each door. Does it need washing or repainting? Is the door knob in good condition? Is the frame in good shape, or does it need a touch-up?Replace worn weather-stripping and any missing, bent or brokei door stops.
Floors
This is the time for washing the floors on your hands and knees. Have scrubbing tools to remove marks or stains. Use a product that helps restore the lustre.
Kitchen Grime
Tackle the biggest dust-collecting area-the top of the
kitchen cabinets. Remove dust and grimy build-up with a grease-cutting product or vinegar and water.Kitchen grease is often the culprit behind lingering odours, especially if you cook fish, garlic, or with a lot of spices. It also leaves a coating preventing the beauty of the wood to shine through. Wash cabinet fronts and finish with a wood-enhancing product. Of course, wipe down the countertops as well. When you're finished, lay a long sheet of paper on top of your shelves to make cleaning easier in the future.
Light Fixtures
Clean light fixtures and check for dusty light bulbs. While we live in an energy-saving world, your home should be presented in its best light for selling. Put the brightest bulb into your fixture that it can handle.
Light Switches
If you will be painting, use the opportunity to scrub or replace the already- removed switch plates Also clean around the switch itself (being cautious of course).
If the screws are missing the white paint that is usually on them, dab them with white paint if you have some (you can use appliance retouch).
Showers, Sinks and Tubs
It goes without saying that these need to be as clean as possible. A buyer doesn't even want to imagine they've been used. Scrub around the sink's edge with a brush. Scrub or replace any dull-looking caulking.
Polish chrome with a windowcleaning product for extra sparkle Dry all surfaces leaving them spotless
(If you have more than one fiill bathroom, you may want to havt the family only use one during the first few weeks of showing to keep things pristine.)
Vent Covers
Wash dust and grime from vent covers. Floor vents may have become bent, rusty or have peeling paint. These can easily be replaced with new ones from your local hardware store for under ten dollars. Bring an old one to the store for sizing, or take measurements as they come in a variety of sizes and finishes.
Walls
If you aren't repainting, it's imperative to wash stains and fingerprints off walls. Aside from using a grease-cutting product, there are products available to help erase scuffs.
There you have it-a few basic trouble areas you'll be glad you tackled to transform your home into its absolute best!
