You’ve probably heard a lot about all the ways you can make your house more appealing during viewings. Like re-decorating, changing your color schemes, or even introducing different types of scents. But, before you think about taking up baking to try and get your house smelling like freshly made cookies, or investing a ton of money on a new set of paint brushes, there’s something that surveys show is much more important. It’s cleaning.

In fact, buyers have rated cleanliness as the most important factor when it comes to making a positive impact. It was ranked higher than, decor, scents and odors, furnishings, and home architecture. These factors are obviously important. However, making sure your home is clean is one of the most effective, cost-efficient ways of adding value to your property. This can improve the likelihood of a speedy sale.

Why is Cleaning so Important?

In order to answer this question, you need to think like a buyer. When someone is looking around your home, one of the biggest things they are looking for is whether they can see themselves living there. They need to be able to picture their possessions in your home. To do this, you need to create a blank canvas. This will make it easier for them to visualize themselves in the property. In addition to this, a clean, clutter-free home gives the right first impression. It shows that your house is well maintained and properly cared for.

Decluttering Your Home

The first step towards creating the blank canvas we have mentioned is to thoroughly declutter your home. Any well-loved home will have plenty of personal items on show. This is great, but it doesn’t help your buyers to picture themselves living there. That’s why, for the purpose of viewings, you should keep personal items to a minimum and declutter as much as you can. This includes your surfaces, worktops, and even storage spaces, which are often checked by buyers during viewings. Not only will this make your home appear cleaner, but it can also give the illusion of more space, which is a massive benefit in terms of your property’s value. For more tips on creating the illusion of space to increase the attractiveness of your home check out The 8 Sneaky Ways To Create the Illusion of More Space. 

Making Sure Your Property is Clean

Once you’ve decluttered, you can focus on making your property as clean, tidy, and presentable as possible. This could mean paying professional cleaners, or if you have chosen to clean it yourself, make a checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything. You need to make sure you clean all the work surfaces and floors, as well as any cobwebs around the tops of the walls and ceilings.

For the kitchen, make sure you empty the bins and clean the drains. This will ensure the room smells fresh. Clear away any dishes, put away any clothes, and thoroughly vacuum any carpets. Lastly, take a look your outdoor areas, as these can often be very important to buyers. You need to check that the grass has been cut, any trees or bushes are neatly trimmed, and sweep and tidy any patio areas.

For more ways to make sure your home is properly cleaned before listing, check out this Pre-Cleaning Checklist infographic by Highlands Ranch House Cleaning.

If you have a family check out this guide to maintaining a show-ready home that sells fast.