“What were you thinking!” is what I wanted to say to the seller when I brought my buyer through their home. Never mind that the beds weren’t made but the smells coming from the kitchen were awful.
Vinegar is a great all-purpose natural deodorizer and cleaner for most surfaces. Deodorize your garbage disposal by dropping a couple orange or lemon halves and a bit of baking soda in, run cold water and then the disposal for 5 seconds. Wait ten minutes to give the citric acid time to work and then drop in a few ice cubes and run the disposal again.
Sellers, remember, when your home is on the market, REALTORS® will call at any time to show it. Make first impressions count. Without a doubt, a visually appealing house will attract buyers, who can’t help but respond to the look, smell and “feel” of a home.
Take time to carefully prepare for showings. Don’t forget the following:
- Make sure the front (and back) is clean and spruced up – curb appeal will create a favorable first impression.
- Take a whiff. Nothing will turn a buyer away faster than an odd smell. Try to eliminate smoking, food and pet odors. And don’t leave any clues. If potential buyers see a dog or an ashtray, they’ll be on the lookout for smells and stains.
- Shampoo carpets and wax/polish/reseal wood and ceramic tile floors.
- Clean tubs, toilets and showers and hang fresh towels.
- Repair leaky faucets, burnt-out light bulbs, wage war on dust and clean until your home shines. Small things can make a potential buyer walk away.
- Read more of my home seller tips in preparation for listing and during the listing period.
First impressions are vital!! If you live in a great location and your home doesn’t show (or smell) well, it’s likely to get passed by. Follow the advice of your neighborhood expert: Clean up and pick up if you want your home sold.
See you in the neighborhood…