Getting Your House Ready to Sell Room by Room

by Shannon Aldrich, Licensed Real Estate Consultant for Maine and New Hampshire

Bathrooms

The common thought these days is that Kitchens and Bathrooms sell houses. If you have been following this series you already know you only have a short amount of time to impress a Buyer. Keeping your Bathroom as clean and uncluttered as possible will go a long way in selling your home. If you have any “little” projects that need to be completed- do them before you put the home on the market. I have had Buyers willing to put up with all kinds of cosmetic projects when they felt they could use the bathroom right away. So if a light fixture is damaged, temperamental or light bulbs are out make sure you correct it right away. Or if you started remodeling and the floor is half done and the tub isn’t framed in - this is a priority project. Put up a new shower curtain and scrub the tub. Please get the toothpaste off the mirror and clean the toilet before you put the lid down. Okay now that my pet peeves are out of the way let’s look at the full list.

The Bathroom Checklist

Counters & Sink

  • Remove everything from the counter-tops and top of the toilet. Yes, everything. Especially anything that tends to collect dust like candles and fake plants.

  • Store perfume, makeup, electric razors, hair dryers, curlers, etc. somewhere else

  • Do you need to re-grout or re-caulk around the sink? Use grout cleaner to make it sparkle.

  • Keep the sink and surrounding area spotless.

  • Repair any leaky faucets or leaks under the sink. Polish the faucets.

  • Reduce the clutter under the sink.

Linen Closet & Medicine Cabinet

  • Wipe down the fronts. Clean the mirrors.

  • Organize inside. Buyer’s will open the cupboards and drawers.

  • Throw away any old medicine and makeup. And put any important or narcotic medicines out of sight. I ask that all prescription medication be put away during showings and open houses. You do not want a disaster to happen when you come home only to find important medication missing.

  • Replace any broken handles.

  • Do drawers open and close without sticking? Do they close completely?

  • Do you need new cupboard & drawer liners?

  • If you must have some small perfumes out put them on a mirrored tray.

Toilet

  • Put the lid down. Put the lid down. Put the lid down. (Just want to be clear)

  • Replace the toilet seat. It is such a small job that makes such a big difference.

  • Take everything off the top.

  • Clean thoroughly including behind. Are there any rust stains?

  • Wipe down the outside porcelain.

  • Remove the bathroom reading please. Skipping this part has led to some very uncomfortable moments for me when showing a house. Particularly a basement 1/2 bath.

Tub & Shower

  • Clean thoroughly.

  • Put up a new shower curtain or clean the shower door until it shines. Soap build up is your enemy here.

  • Do you need to re-grout or re-caulk? Or can you clean the tile grout?

  • Do you really need 15 different hair shampoos, conditioners, soaps? Get rid of the clutter.

Windows

  • Clean all the windows – inside and out

  • Check the window screens – repair or replace any torn or bent ones

  • Clean the window blinds and window treatments

  • Open the blinds and the curtains before a showing to let the light in.

  • If you only have mini-blinds in the Bathroom add a lacy valence to frame the window.

Lighting

  • Clean all the light fixtures

  • Increase wattage in all the light bulbs

  • Do all the switches turn something on?

  • Are all the switch plates and outlet plates clean? Should you replace the plates - another quick and easy way to brighten a room.

  • Clean the exhaust vent.

Floors

  • Clean the floors thoroughly- Wash and Wax.

  • Replace any stained, cracked or loose tiles.

  • Wash all the bath mats and toilet seat cover. Color co-ordinate with towels and shower curtain.

  • Keep the room swept

Walls & Ceiling

  • Are there any cob webs in the corners?

  • Is there any evidence of mold or mildew?

  • What shape is the tile in? The grout - is is sparkling?

  • Look for scuff marks, picture holes, etc. Should you paint?

  • Remove risque bathroom art. Your taste is not the same as the next owner’s. So the dog picture of them all lining up for the fire hydrant needs to get packed away. Your moving anyways.

  • If you paint the walls, paint the ceiling and trim as well.

  • Paint is the easiest way to refresh a room. I guess I feel this way about every room.

Other

  • Get rid of plants. Especially get rid of any fake plants or ivy.

  • Arrange towels neatly on the rack. Co-ordinate with bath mats and shower curtain. If this is your Master Bath, co-ordinate the colors with your bedroom.

  • Keep laundry baskets out of sight.

That’s a lot of checking for such a small room but well worth the effort. Now we have completed the Living Room, the Kitchen and the Bathroom - Let’s look at the Garage next time.

Join our monthly e-newsletter for updated local real estate information, featured listings and area happenings at saldrich@kw.com 

Your privacy is important to me - I will never share your address.

By Shannon Aldrich ©, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH

“Your Seacoast Second Home and Vacation Home Specialist”