How to Clean and Prep Your Home Before Selling

If you’re considering selling your home, you probably know there’s some work to be done. If you don’t know where to begin, here’s the ultimate checklist of what you can do in preparation. Use this handy list as your guide to preparing for a great listing and super-fast sale!

1.      De-Clutter- Before you embark on any cleaning, it’s a great idea to do a big de-clutter. You can even use it as an opportunity to start packing for your new home! Pack away knickknacks, personal photos, and bulletin boards. Clear anything that makes your home look messy or cramped. Having simple and clear spaces will help your home to sell and will make your cleaning job that much easier.

2.      Deep Clean the Kitchen (Fridge, Dishwasher, Stove, Oven, Microwave, Cabinet Doors)- Buyers spend lots of their time inspecting the kitchen. It doesn’t matter that you have high end appliances if they’re covered in dirt and grime! Deep clean outside and inside the appliances in your kitchen. Although a guest in your home may not inspect the dishwasher or the state of the oven, a buyer will. Make sure everything is sparkling and in like-new condition.

Likewise, your cabinet doors and kitchen drawers should also get a good scrub. Even light cooking leaves muck and grime on the surface of these kitchen surfaces. When potential buyers come to view your home, they don’t want to feel sticky surfaces.

3.      Dust (Ceiling Fans, Shelves, Etc.)- Dusting is a pretty hated activity. While you may be able to get away with not dusting most of the time, buyers will see hidden dust. Dirty and dusty surfaces have an appearance of neglect. Clean any decorative items that made the cut after your declutter. Wipe fan blades to avoid a dust shower when buyers test out your home’s ceiling fans.

4.      Clean the Windows (Inside and Out)- Buyers want fresh, light filled spaces. Cleaning the windows is a great way to ensure your home can be flooded with light. Hire a professional to clean the outsides if you’re unable. While you’re at it, clean window treatments and window blinds before listing your home for sale.

5.      Have the Floors Deep Cleaned (Carpets, Wood and Tile, Baseboards)- If you have the proper tools, you can do this yourself. Have carpeted and rug covered areas deep cleaned by a professional. A steam cleaning will remove stains and odors that are turnoffs to buyers. In areas without carpet, scrub as best you can to make the floors shine. Wipe baseboards and remove any built-up dust and dirt.

6.      Clean the Outside (Pressure Wash, Weed the Garden, Clear Brush)- Since your home’s exterior is the first thing a buyer will see, tidy it up as well. Pressure wash dirty exterior surfaces to remove mildew or dirt. Clear flower beds of any weeds or dead plants. Remove brush or low limbs that are blocking the view of your home.

7.      Patch Holes- Since you’ve probably removed some hanging artwork and photos from the walls, ensure there aren’t any leftover nail holes. Check around the house for areas that need spackling and a bit of touchup paint.

These tips should help to make your home selling preparation easy and fast. Use this guide to go area-by-area and make your home sparkle before you list it to sell. 

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