Declutter: Begin with decluttering. As a standard, go through your home and get rid of 50% of your belongings. Highly personalized items, photographs, out-of-season clothes, random junk and excessive furniture need to go. To be clear, you do not have to throw the stuff out! Donate it. Sell it at a yard sale. Give it away. Someone can use what you don’t need. Put precious items, such as family photos, into a safe or offsite storage. Once you declutter, you will be amazed how much roomier and nicer your home feels. The goal is to de-personalize the home so potential buyers can envision themselves living there. Hardcore Cleaning: Now that the clutter is gone, move on to hardcore cleaning. Be meticulous. Tidy each room from top to bottom.
DON'T FORGET TO:
• Get rid of cobwebs first. This keeps you from getting dust bunnies all over freshly cleaned floors and furniture. • Dust ceiling fans and lighting fixtures while you clean the cobwebs. • Dust your blinds. • Wash walls, unless you plan on painting. • Clean all glass surfaces: mirrors, television screens, patio doors, and windows. • Polish all wooden surfaces. • Wipe down any leather furniture. • Attack all appliances with cleaning fervor. Make them shine! • Sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, faucets, and countertops
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