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Spring Cleaning Time
Posted under General Real Estate, Home Owner TipsEven though it might not feel like Spring in the Chicago Suburbs it really is and it’s that time of year again when we need to declutter and clean up, especially those that already have their homes on the market or are considering listing their Chicago suburb homes for sale this year.
I’ve shown many homes that I think the sellers should have cleaned their windows, at least from the inside. Cloudy and dirty windows don’t present a very good picture of the home and are noticeable by all.
It never ceases to amaze me how some sellers show their properties. Dirty floors, carpeting full of stains, filthy walls and a bunch of clutter. Then they wonder why their agent isn’t bringing the offers in.
The competition is fierce!
If you’re selling your property and don’t understand this fact then you might be “selling” your place for a long time. Homes sitting on the market for months and even years make buyers uneasy. They feel there is something wrong with the home even if the only thing wrong was the price the seller originally started at.
Your home needs to stand out from the rest
This means it has to be the cleanest and showing as close to a model as possible. It also means that regular maintenance should have been done over the years. A new furnace, windows or roof are not improvements that the cost is tacked onto the home. These are everyday home maintenance updates and are expected to be done at certain points in a home’s life.
If a buyer has a choice of two similar properties in the same price range it’s only natural they would choose the property with the most improvements such as newer mechanicals and other updates. A buyer should not be charged extra for these kinds of normal wear and tear replacements.
Most buyers are very visual
This means they can’t see beyond your home overstuffed with furniture, personal photos and collectibles. I just showed
buyers an Orland Park townhouse for sale that had wallpaper on every wall. My buyers didn’t want to deal with it. The listing agent called me back after I delivered the feedback and told me the sellers would be willing to remove it if that was the only deal breaker. It wasn’t the only thing my buyers didn’t like but these sellers should just remove the wallpaper and their place will be more appealing to the masses. Some buyers won’t indicate what turns them off and will just go to the next property. Remember, there’s plenty of places up for sale right now - more inventory than buyers.
Again, compare two similar homes priced the same. One home is so clean you could eat off the floor. The next one is dirty and dusty. In today’s market of plenty, which would you choose?
Cleaning and decluttering is the least expensive means of showcasing your home
You have to pack things up when you move so why not start now with things you don’t use much, especially decorative items. The rule of thumb today is to remove at least one piece of furniture from every room to make the rooms appear larger. I did this in the last home I sold and was even pleased myself with how nice the rooms looked with less “stuff.”
One owner of a Tinley Park townhouse for sale had piles of towels and laundry in the bathroom and bedroom. He knew we were coming so why didn’t he put it away? We couldn’t see the bathroom for all of the laundry piles. He also had baby proofed his fireplace by putting a huge piece of fabric over it, hiding it from potential buyers. He called me himself for feedback and I told him point blank that he wasn’t showcasing his townhouse properly. He thanked me and said he would do what I said. I’m not sure why his own agent couldn’t convince him but I know sometimes sellers need to hear it from someone else.
But you still have to live there until you sell
Yes, and you might also be amazed at how nice a decluttered place can be. We get used to our own stuff and sometimes it comforts us. But it only turns off potential buyers. You need to consider selling your home a temporary situation and live a bit differently. You can unpack your treasured collectibles in your next home and might even appreciate them more after living without them for awhile. You might need to deep clean more often than normal.
Lose the convenience of your kitchen counters being cluttered with your favorite small appliances. Get them out of sight. If you don’t have room in your cabinets then pack away things you don’t use often to make room for the things you currently use that are on your counter.
Kids need to be given rules to keep their rooms clean and some toys might need to be packed up. Pet beds and eating areas might need a good cleaning and the pets themselves might need more baths so they don’t make your place smell bad.
I’ve shown homes that were clean until we got into the laundry/utility room. Piles of laundry or items stored haphazardly, making the home feel like there isn’t enough storage space. We’ve been hit with damp, mildewy smelling old laundry. This is simply unacceptable when you’re trying to sell.
By the way, keep in mind that people open cabinets, drawers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, etc. If your possessions are stuffed in or fall out when a closet door gets opened it just gives the impression that your home isn’t big enough or doesn’t have enough storage. Get rid of the junk!
Consider both the interior and exterior
The term “curb appeal” has been around for a long time and should be self explanatory. Take a step back from your house and look at it through the eyes of a buyer. If things need to be spruced up and/or cleaned up, whether it’s the lawn and landscaping or the front door, porch and sidewalk then take care of whatever you can. This is the introduction and first impression of your home that buyers get.
Ask for unbiased opinions
Listen to your real estate agent’s suggestions. Ask a good friend or relative to give you the truth. Listen to your agent’s feedback after showings and take the feedback seriously.
In today’s market homes need more than to be priced correctly. They need to be the best showing house in the price range they happen to fall in. It’s only logical - buyers make offers on the best home for the price. If you haven’t done your spring cleaning, it’s highly unlikely your home will be chosen. In fact, by not following this advice you could lose thousands of dollars. Is that worth the time and effort it takes to clean?
