So you’ve decided to put your Katy home on the market. The decision to sell never comes lightly and you probably have a to-do list longer than a country mile, but before you finally put that for-sale sign in your yard and prepare for showings, there’s one important thing you have to do: give your house a deep clean.
We’re not talking about the sort of clean where you wipe the counters and sweep the dirt from under the rug. We’re talking about the sort of cleaning where you could eat a meal that fell on the floor without batting an eye.
While the thought of a deep clean may sound time-consuming and messy, it’s actually a pretty straightforward process. All you need is a plan, a few hours of free time, and a commitment to doing things the right way. Having said that, here are some tips and pointers that will get you where you need to be.
Before you can get started, you need to get rid of all the clutter that’s making your house look like a mess. You’re getting ready to move anyway, so why not go ahead and throw away junk and box up the things that you really don’t need. Not only does clutter look bad to a potential buyer, but it makes the rest of the cleaning process that much more difficult.
Everyone has their own strategy for decluttering, but one of the best is the “three box method.” As the name suggests, this method requires you to take inventory of every item in every room and place each item into one of three categories: keep, throw away, store.
If you’re like most, you’ll find that it’s difficult to throw certain things away. But in order to achieve the results you want, you’ll have to become more liberal about what you toss. Understanding the concept of sunk costs can help you let go.
“Since you cannot get the money back that you spent on that item, you should only think about the value that thing can add to your life in the future,” BudgetDumpster.com suggests. “Understanding this concept of sunk costs can help you make more rational decisions about what to keep and what you should toss.”
The next step is to dust. A lot of people wait until last to dust, but this is a big mistake. Naturally, the process of dusting makes a mess and it’s best to start with this process so that you can clean up after.
While most people normally only dust obvious surfaces and objects, you should dive into every nook and cranny and dust those things that haven’t been touched in years. Run a cloth along the top of door jambs, hanging picture frames, light fixtures, and any other object that could attract dust. You’ll be surprised – and probably grossed out – by what you find.
When was the last time you cleaned your windows? If you’re like most people, your windows don’t get a ton of attention. However, they’re one of the first things a buyer notices. Streaky, smudged windows make your home look messy – even if everything else is clean.
The key to properly cleaning windows is to use a microfiber cloth that won’t leave dust and streaks behind. Work from left to right and top to bottom and take your time. It’s a meticulous process, but will yield phenomenal results.
While most of this article includes cleaning processes that you can do on your own, there’s one area where it’s worth the investment to pay a professional for his services. Floors are hard to deep clean if you don’t have the right equipment. This includes both carpet and hardwood. Schedule a pro to come out when you’re almost done with everything else. Not only will the floors look great, you’ll also notice that your house smells a lot better.
Stainless steel appliances are a powerful selling point in the kitchen, but a lot of sellers make the mistake of not cleaning them before putting the house on the market. For the many benefits that come with stainless, they tend to smudge and streak (especially if little ones are in the house).
There are a number of ways to clean stainless steel, but you can usually tackle smudges with some combination of a damp cloth, mild dish detergent, and possibly glass cleaner. Avoid harsh abrasives, chemicals containing ammonia, and scouring powders, which could damage the finish.
A lot of homeowners treat the garage like it isn’t part of the house. Unfortunately, this can hurt the home’s image. One way to really set your house apart and show potential buyers you care is by showing the garage a little love.
Depending on how bad you’ve let things get, cleaning up the garage can be a major task. Start by removing everything and placing it in the driveway. Then, using the same decluttering tips referenced above, sort through these items. The next step is to clean the garage – including walls, surfaces, and floors. Finally, install a few shelves and organizers and put all of the items you’re keeping back into place.
At Green Residential, we make selling your Katy home easier than ever before. We have more than three decades of experience in the Houston area and have a thorough understanding of what it takes to get top dollar for your property. We also operate on a flat fee rate, which means you can potentially save thousands of dollars in commission.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Green Residential can help you sell your Katy home, please contact us today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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