Throughout the South Carolina real estate industry, there are various resources to help those who want to sell a home. For example, professional home stagers can come to your house and “make it presentable” for showings. You might not have the time, money or a desire to hire someone for this task, and that’s okay. However, it’s critical to remember that a clean house may help attract offers. On the other hand, if you don’t put forth the effort to boost “showability,” then your house might wind up sitting on the market for a long time.
One of the primary goals for showing a house is to provide an atmosphere that enables prospective buyers to imagine themselves living there. If there is visible dirt, clutter and grime throughout your home, people are not going to feel comfortable, much less develop an emotional connection that evokes images of making the home their own.
5 key issues for a clean house if your agent has scheduled a showing
A clean house doesn’t necessarily mean that every room and area of your property must be perfect. The following list includes five categories to keep in mind when you’re staging your home for a showing:
- Bad odors: Nothing can turn a buyer away like a pungent stench of animal feces, garbage, dirty laundry or other malodorous things. While you want to avoid a “perfumy” aroma (especially because many people are allergic to perfumes and may develop headaches), it’s best to make sure your house smells fresh and clean before buyers take a tour.
- Closets, laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens: People will open closets and will look behind your shower curtain or under your kitchen sink when considering making an offer on your home. Make sure these areas are clean.
- Avoid burned-out lightbulbs and grimy windowpanes: Buyers won’t feel like they’re in a clean house if they can’t see through the glass on your windows. Clean windows enhance the effect of natural lighting. It’s also important to make sure all lightbulbs are in working order, in case someone turns on a light.
- Create a clutter-free environment: Yes, someone who buys your home can then clean it to his or her standards. However, a cluttered home will not make a good impression and could deter a buyer from making an offer. Do not make the mistake of “dumping” everything in a closet or corner of a room. Try to make the house as clutter-free as possible.
- Curb appeal: After online photographs, the exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see when they arrive for a showing. Therefore, a clean house includes the outside of your home and yard as well. Pull weeds, sweep porches and walkways, put toys, tools and pool supplies away, and go stand in the street, then look at your house. If you were seeing it for the first time, would you want to go inside for more?
A clean house will increase your chances of getting an offer on your South Carolina home for sale. And if you keep on daily cleaning, scheduling showings will be a lot less stressful.
When you’re ready to put your house on the market, reach out to an experienced listing agency to discuss your goals. Your agent can visit your property and recommend ways to maximize showing potential.