There are a lot of things you can do to increase the selling value of your home. On the other hand, there are obvious mistakes that can lower its value.
This includes not fixing the leaky roof, deteriorating yard, loud and bold paint colors, noisy neighbors, and violent pets.
However, not a lot of homeowners recognize that even cleaning can prevent you from getting that top-dollar offer. That said, here are six cleaning mistakes that you need to avoid if you want to boost your home’s selling value:
1. Ignoring your front door hardware
Your curb and front door are the first things that a potential buyer will see when they visit your house. Unfortunately, brass fixtures such as your door knocker can erode through time if left ignored.
You can solve this with the help of an old toothbrush and mineral spirits (or white spirits in the UK).
Once a week, dislodge dirt and grime on your front door hardware like knobs and knockers with soapy mineral spirit. Wash it using an old toothbrush, and make sure to rinse it well to remove any residue.
Doing so can prevent your front door hardware from being greasy and damaged. Not to mention that a polished doorknob or knocker is a great way of telling potential buyers that your home is such a nice place.
As the adage goes, “First impression lasts.”
2. Neglecting your floor
A lot of stuff that your vacuum gets from your floor are outdoor dirt that are brought inside your house. And just because you have hardwood or laminate floor tiles, it does not mean that you are safe.
According to Katie Berry, “Dirt and dust are abrasive so they cause fins scratches in the surface of your hard flooring. Over time this leads to a dull, constantly dirty look.”
This could be prevented by vacuuming and carpet shampooing twice a year. It prevents dark tracks in areas where there is the most foot traffic. That way, you will not need to replace your flooring or offer a carpeting allowance to a potential home buyer.
If you are prepping your house for a viewing, keep in mind that you need to give your floors a thorough cleaning at least once a week. Moreso in a high-traffic area, depending on the number of people and pets living in your house.
3. Not doing a deep clean
Details matter when it comes to home care. And a clean house tells a potential buyer whether you are taking good care of your place.
Thus, it is important to clean your windows, floors, and carpets. However, these are some cleaning chores that homeowners tend to overlook.
According to Jacky Xu of Maid Sailors NY Maids, “When you do not use a cleaning service on a regular basis, certain areas tend to be neglected, either because you simply forget or are in a rush to complete your own cleaning.”
Good thing, there are professional house cleaners you can hire. They can help deep clean your house prior to viewing.
4. Skipping the carpet stains
Although you are used to seeing your carpet, it can cause an eyesore to your potential buyers. Moreso if you are not cleaning it properly.
Stained and dirty carpet comes with a cost when selling your house. That’s because your buyer is more likely to demand a carpeting allowance in order to replace the carpet. If not, it is most likely that they will haggle to lower your asking price.
You can avoid this from happening by actively removing the stains on your carpet prior to viewing. Good thing, you can use affordable cleaning agents that are available in your homes like liquid dishwashing detergent, vinegar, and baking soda.
However, the best way to clean your carpet is to remove stains as soon as it happens. Do not let it linger and set. Otherwise, it will be more difficult to remove.
5. Not getting rid of pests
There are pest infestations that happen based on the season. For example, ants would sneak into your house when the ground is too damp. That said, it is easy to time your house selling on seasons when ant infestation is less likely to happen.
However, ignoring signs of pests altogether can decrease the value of your home.
Sure, you can hire a professional pest exterminator. However, it will be useless if you have a garage or attic full of boxes, exposed food in the dining area, and other clutter that can attract bugs and rodents.
You can prevent pests from invading your home by making sure that you empty your trash nightly. You should not let piles of boxes and newspapers to build-up, either. Store your food properly and never let it sit on your counter. Lastly, make sure that the caulk around your windows and doors are in good condition.
6. Neglecting the tile grout
Cleaning the tile grout in the kitchen and bathroom can be tiring and time-consuming. However, doing so is a necessity if you plan to sell your house.
Since grout is porous, it absorbs whatever it comes in contact with. Moreover, grease causes discoloration while humidity causes mold and mildew build-up. This can be impossible to remove, so it is important that you are diligent in cleaning tile grout.
You can prevent this by using a splatter screen while cooking. As for your bathroom, make sure that it is well ventilated. You can also use homemade daily shower spray after the final shower of the day. This can help you to remove mold, mildew, and soap scum on grout.
Just because the dirt and clutter have been there for months (even years) since you occupied your house, it does not mean that you are a hopeless case. There are smart cleaning ideas that you can still adapt to keep things from getting worse. That way, you can still sell your house at the best value.
