• Scrub sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, faucets, and countertops. They must be impeccable. • All tiled areas, including grout, must be free of discoloration, stains, and mildew. • Clean the window treatments. Wash the windows so that the natural light will enhance your living space. • Vacuum rugs, shampoo carpets, and mop floors thoroughly.
KITCHEN AND BATH: FOCUS ON HIGH-IMPACT AREAS
The most important rooms in your home are the kitchen and bathrooms. A kitchen can sell a house because it is the heart of a home, the place where family and friends gather to enjoy one another’s company and share meals. Buyers will be turned off by dirt and grime, cooking smells, and stinky trash. Clean all cabinet surfaces as well as under the sink. Bathrooms are so important to Americans that most homes have at least two or three. As you work towards selling your home, it is imperative that the bathrooms be kept clean and odor-free. Potential buyers might forgive a less-than-stellar child’s room, but a questionable bathroom or kitchen could cost you a sale.
PET PEEVES
Pets are wonderful, but not everyone likes them. In fact, some people are highly allergic to domestic pets. Home buyers don’t want to dodge your excited, barking dog or deal with the fur and dander of your friendly cat — much less have to deal with unfriendly animals. 60
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