It can be stressful to get your house ready for the MLS in Ventura, especially if you and your family are still living in it during the process. You always feel as if you have to keep your home show-ready just in case someone wants to see it. This can be a challenge when you’re dealing with toys, dishes, pets, and all the regular dirt of everyday life.
To help you prepare, here are 5 cleaning hacks to get your house ready for the MLS in Ventura.
START IN THE KITCHEN
Your home’s kitchen sees a lot of traffic and activity, which means you can accumulate a lot of grime and even some nasty smells. Cleaning your kitchen is the first crucial step to get your house ready for the MLS.
Start by washing any dishes that are in the sink or on the counter, whether you do them by hand or put them in the dishwasher. Once the dishes are done, completely clear off the counters and give them a good scrub. Give the sink a nice deep clean, making sure to pay attention to the spaces around the drains where gunk can collect.
Wipe down the refrigerator, microwave, and oven, especially the handles, and remove any accumulated artwork, notes, and photos.
Finish off by giving the floor a good sweep and, if necessary, a quick mop.
HIT THE BATHROOM NEXT
Another area in the home that collects a lot of dirt and stink is the bathroom. The condition of your bathrooms also can play a big role in potential buyers’ impression of your home, which can impact your chances of making a sale.
Clean the toilet first, making sure to wipe off all surfaces – especially the space where the toilet meets the floor. Give the inside of the toilet a good scrub.
Next, hit the mirrors and sink, making sure they sparkle and that any toothpaste splatters have been scrubbed clean. Your next job may be your biggest – cleaning the shower and tub. But don’t skip this step and hope that no one looks behind the shower curtain; it’s almost guaranteed that potential buyers will look in the shower so make sure it’s nice and clean.
Finally, sweep and mop the floor.
DECLUTTER
The less stuff you have in the home, the easier it all is to keep clean.
Do your best to get rid of anything that isn’t absolutely necessary during the sales process, such as clothes, toiletries, and a small collection of kids’ toys. Stash the rest in a storage unit, using a roll-off unit if necessary.
Less stuff makes it easier to dust, sweep, and vacuum quickly before a potential buyer arrives.
MAKE THE BEDS
There’s nothing that can pull a slightly frumpy bedroom together faster than simply making the bed. And it’s possibly one of the easiest things you can do to get your house ready for the MLS.
If necessary, launder quilts and comforters so they’re stain- and odor-free, and run a steamer over them before a showing to remove any unsightly wrinkles.
Consider spending a bit of money to buy some extra throw pillows just to give your bed a little extra boost during showings.
VACUUM LAST
Right before you’re heading out the door for a showing, vacuum all necessary rugs, and carpets.
Start in the far corner of the room and vacuum yourself out the door so you don’t leave footprints on the carpet and ruin the illusion.
If necessary, invest in a deep carpet clean early in the sales process to get your carpets ready for showings so all you need to liven them up is a quick vacuum.