It can be a little daunting to think of how much you have to invest in a home to sell it, but one of the most important things doesn’t have to cost a cent: keeping it clean.
Here are some best practices from Merry Maids of Prince William, Culpeper and Fauquier Counties to help:
Don’t get sunk by dirty sinks: Whether in the kitchen or the bathroom, a dirty sink can make a whole room look unsanitary. Make a point to keep yours sparkling and dry at all times. And every time you wipe down the sink, try to hit at least one other surface in the room as well.
A well-made bed: When you enter a bedroom, any bedroom, the single most important thing is the bed. Which is why it not only needs to be made, it needs to be perfect. The sheets should be pulled up (and down) tightly and tucked in under the mattress. The pillows should be smoothly-inserted into their cases (no lumps!). The bed spread should be smooth and even. If anyone of these details is off, it can make the entire room look unkempt.
Be in a constant state of fluff: Every time you get up from the sofa or an upholstered chair, fluff the cushions and pillows. Rumpled cushions make for a rumpled couch…which makes for a messy living room.
Quit Clutter: Any realtor will tell you: when selling a house, it’s not enough to cut clutter, you have to get rid of it completely. Recycle newspapers and magazines, unnecessary mail and any other paper immediately. Pack up any household items you’re not using (which also adds up to less dusting and less packing later); and stash any inboxes, laundry bins or catch-all baskets you may have around the house.
For more information about cleaning a home on the market, call Merry Maids of Prince William, Culpeper and Fauquier Counties at 703-584-4086, visit their website (www.merrymaids.com/8/woodbridge-4404) or Like them at Facebook (www.facebook.com/MerryMaidsNorthernPiedmont).
