Pack away unnecessary items and store magazines and electronics in decorative bins. Fold and drape throws on chairs. • Office Space —Organization is the focus for office space. Overflowing shelves do not reflect useful space. Keep all personal papers stored out of sight. Clear the desk to create a space where concentration and work are easy tasks. • Linen Closets —Organize and clean out old towels, sheets, pillows, and blankets. Store seasonal blankets, clothes, and outerwear off-site. Keep linens to a minimum. • Laundry Room — Whether your washer and dryer are in the basement, laundry room, or closet, your laundry area should be neat and organized. Use shelving bins to organize detergent, bleach, and dryer sheets. Never leave clothes on the floor. Refrain from using the tops of the appliances for storage. • Garage —Although cleaning the garage may be the most daunting task when preparing your house for sale, it can be as simple as getting rid of things you haven’t touched in years. Boxes of broken toys, useless sports gear, and rusty tools all seem to migrate to the dark corners of the garage. This is the best time to donate or discard. Other items like paint, extra tiles for the floor, and bicycles can be shelved or hung. • Pets —Store pet items out of sight during showings. See the following section on Pet Peeves for details on how to deal with pets while selling your home. DEEP CLEANING: SPOTLESS IS THE NAME OF THE GAME A thorough deep-cleaning of your home is vital. It helps people selling a car get more money for their vehicle, and it will work for you in selling your home. Once the clutter is gone, move on to cleaning each room. It makes sense to clean each room after you have removed the clutter. Tidy each room from top to bottom. Be meticulous, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Home buyers will open cabinets, pantries, and closets to assess their storage opportunities.
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