Let’s Talk!
651.500.7650
The Dirty Truth
READY? There is no avoiding this. There
are no short cuts. And there is definitely no
“sweeping this under the rug.”
Our lived-in houses are dirty! Let’s face it!
We’re busy living our lives and don’t even
notice the spider homes in ceiling corners,
the layer of dust hugging our chandelier or all
the scuff marks on the back door from kicking
it open while holding an armful of groceries.
And have you ever met ANYONE who thinks
cleaning is fun? I can’t say that I have. So we
ignore it and eventually even stop seeing it.
This topic is just plain BORING! But it’s
one of the most important things you can do
to sell your home for top dollar and quickly.
WHY? Because potential buyers view a spot-
less house as a home that has been well main-
tained in other areas too! They worry less
about surprises and trust the current home-
owner more. They also begin a mental “to-do
list” the moment they drive up and park the
car. Keeping the list short puts more money in
your pocket.
As a home stager, cleaning is so important that
I’ve actually devoted a whole information
sheet on this dreaded topic for homeowners
wanting to sell. I’ll just summarize it for this
blog but if you’re interested in the checklist,
please don’t hesitate to ask me for a pdf.
Curb
This is a priority. WHY? Because potential
buyers form an opinion within 15 seconds of
driving up to your home. If their impression is
being pleasantly surprised, they’re likely to
have a good attitude about the inside of your
house too. If they get a “ho-hum” impression,
they will already be set to find other flaws
inside! It happens instantly so seize the
moment!
To have great curb appeal, you have to start
working on this at least a month before listing
your house. Trees may need to be trimmed,
grass may need to be reseeded. Colorful flowers
either in the ground or in pots need time to
grow and get full.
Windows
I have a Golden Retriever and I love Elsie
dearly. However, she leaves her nose prints on
the storm doors and any windows she can
reach to look out at the neighborhood activity.
Even if you don’t have a dog, daily dust and
dirt needs to be cleaned off, inside and out.
Screens should be rinsed too or even taken off
to make the windows glisten more!
Light Fixtures
Clean the bugs out. Wash the glass parts. Dust
the metal parts. Remove the layer of dust on
top of the ceiling fan paddles. Chandeliers are
penthouse living for spiders so webs be gone.
Woodwork
Polish ALL woodwork: Crown molding, door
and window trim, baseboards, and floors.
I like Murphy’s Oil Soap but there are many
good wood cleaners to choose from.
Carpeting
Have all carpeting professionally cleaned.
I wish I could have my carpet cleaners come
every month to my house but I try for every
six months. Maybe I should be switching that
to a seasonal schedule. Hmmm.
Window Treatments
Hire professional cleaners, dry-clean, launder
or hand-wash. This may help neutralize any
hidden odors in your house as well.
Kitchen & Bathrooms
These rooms need ceiling to floor washing and
scrubbing. Oil build-up from frying is every-
where in kitchens. Isn’t that gross? But it’s the
dirty truth. And for bathrooms, well, you
know why that needs super cleaning.
Don’t forget the small stuff! Polish door, win-
dow, and kitchen cabinet hardware. Also clean
faucets, vent covers, and light switch plates.
I know, not fun stuff to do but so, so neces-
sary! My method? First I have a Coke (I nor-
mally avoid caffeine) and then put on some
loud music and off I go!
Let’s Talk!
Roberta Peters
Birch Hill Interiors
651.500.7650
Twin Cities
The Dirty Truth
READY? There is no avoiding this. There are no short cuts. And there is definitely no “sweeping this under the rug.”
Our lived-in houses are dirty! Let’s face it! We’re busy living our lives and don’t even notice the spider homes in ceiling corners, the layer of dust hugging our chandelier or all the scuff marks on the back door from kicking it open while holding an armful of groceries. And have you ever met ANYONE who thinks cleaning is fun? I can’t say that I have. So we ignore it and eventually even stop seeing it.
This topic is just plain BORING! But it’s one of the most important things you can do to sell your home for top dollar and quickly. WHY? Because potential buyers view a spotless house as a home that has been well maintained in other areas too! They worry less about surprises and trust the current home-owner more. They also begin a mental “to-do list” the moment they drive up and park the car. Keeping the list short puts more money in your pocket.
As a home stager, cleaning is so important that I’ve actually devoted a whole information sheet on this dreaded topic for homeowners wanting to sell. I’ll just summarize it for this blog but if you’re interested in the checklist, please don’t hesitate to ask me for a pdf.
Curb
This is a priority. WHY? Because potential buyers form an opinion within 15 seconds of driving up to your home. If their impression is being pleasantly surprised, they’re likely to have a good attitude about the inside of your house too. If they get a “ho-hum” impression, they will already be set to find other flaws inside! It happens instantly so seize the moment!
To have great curb appeal, you have to start working on this at least a month before listing your house. Trees may need to be trimmed, grass may need to be reseeded. Colorful flowers either in the ground or in pots need time to grow and get full.
Windows
I have a Golden Retriever and I love Elsie dearly. However, she leaves her nose prints on the storm doors and any windows she can reach to look out at the neighborhood activity.
Even if you don’t have a dog, daily dust and dirt needs to be cleaned off, inside and out. Screens should be rinsed too or even taken off to make the windows glisten more!
Light Fixtures
Clean the bugs out. Wash the glass parts. Dust the metal parts. Remove the layer of dust on top of the ceiling fan paddles. Chandeliers are penthouse living for spiders so webs be gone.
Woodwork
Polish ALL woodwork: Crown molding, door and window trim, baseboards, and floors. I like Murphy’s Oil Soap but there are many good wood cleaners to choose from.
Carpeting
Have all carpeting professionally cleaned. I wish I could have my carpet cleaners come every month to my house but I try for every six months. Maybe I should be switching that to a seasonal schedule. Hmmm.
Window Treatments
Hire professional cleaners, dry-clean, launder or hand-wash. This may help neutralize any hidden odors in your house as well.
Kitchen & Bathrooms
These rooms need ceiling to floor washing and scrubbing. Oil build-up from frying is everywhere in kitchens. Isn’t that gross? But it’s the dirty truth. And for bathrooms, well, you know why that needs super cleaning.
Don’t forget the small stuff! Polish door, window, and kitchen cabinet hardware. Also clean faucets, vent covers, and light switch plates.
I know, not fun stuff to do but so, so necessary! My method? First I have a Coke (I normally avoid caffeine) and then put on some loud music and off I go!
Let’s Talk!
Roberta Peters
Birch Hill Interiors
Twin Cities