Clean it Out, In and Out - Take it Inside
Previously, on ‘My Staged Life’…
Nobody will give your house a first look, let alone a second, if they don’t like what they see when they drive by − they’ll just keep driving. Most foreclosures don’t have to worry about this, they’re selling cheap enough that prospective buyers will have plenty of money left over for a quick, professional cleanup, a coat of paint, professional landscaping and a good decorator.
You on the other hand, aren’t selling your home for such a considerably low price. You have to make your house stand out in the best way
possible. You have to make your house stand out, even from the other houses on your street; even from houses that aren’t even on the market!
Moving inside, make sure your rooms and, especially, walkways are free of clutter. If you’re not using something, put it away! Nobody wants to see your junk, let alone buy a house full of it. The less
cluttered your house is, the bigger, more spacious and more inviting it looks. This sets it apart from the rest and people generally love big, open, warm, inviting spaces.
If you have carpet, rent a carpet cleaner − and use it. Be sure to follow the directions on the machine, this includes vacuuming your floors obsessively before you begin. As for cleaning solutions, I recommend using a professional, single-purpose, carpet solution and spot-treating where necessary, rather than spending more on an all-in-one solution. Having worked with these machines and solutions, I can tell you the results are generally better this way. Also, follow the directions on each bottle. If it says use full strength, use it full strength, don’t try to save money by diluting it; some of these chemicals deactivate in water. I cannot stress this enough, follow the directions on the machine, as well as each solution you are using!
Part Four - Clean it Out, In and Out - Floors, Walls and the Rest