A CLEAN HOUSE WILL BE A SOLD HOUSE

The Golden Rule of Real Estate: Keep It Clean

When it’s time to sell your home, you might think that price is the most important factor. And while it’s true that you need to be competitive, the truth is that a clean and decluttered home may have more to do with your ability to sell than anything else. The vast majority of buyers are looking to get into a house that’s been well maintained. If it’s dirty, that’s a big red flag. After all, if you can’t be bothered to wipe milk off the counter or clear the clutter from the hallway, your buyers might suspect that you haven’t done other essential tasks, such as upkeep the HVAC or implement pest control procedures.

Keeping a clean house might not sound like a big deal. If you have children, however, you will likely find that cleaning is one of the most difficult aspects of the home selling process. Here are a few tips to help you along the way and keep your home in top shape.

Bring in the pros.

There is no shame in admitting you simply do not have time to get down to the nitty-gritty of keeping your house clean 24/7. When you put your home on the market, it has to be spotless and stay spotless. That’s why it can make a world of difference to bring in a professional housekeeper to help you stay on track. Just be clear about what needs tending to when interviewing candidates, as housekeepers aren’t the same as a maid service. A housekeeper is someone who can help keep your house clean, assist with light yard work and tend to minor needs like laundry and food preparation. They will not steam clean your carpets, clean out your oven or declutter your garage.

Set rules and penalties for breaking them.

One of the best ways to contain the chaos is to restrict your children’s play area to a single room. Make sure your children know that this is a non-negotiable rule and that there are consequences for breaking it. For example, if you find Legos in the kitchen, they are taken away for a week. Setting new rules can be intimidating, so add some humor to the process by creating a fun “toy jail” where your kids’ stuff had to go until they’ve earned it back.

Give them a chance to be the boss.

When children are given responsibility, they often take it to heart. This includes their cleaning chores. Set aside a specific job for each child to take charge of. One child might be responsible for taking out the trash while another is in charge of making sure there are no errant food spatters on the floors and walls. Give each child the tools they need to complete their specific job. A cleaning caddy is simple to put together and can be filled with age-appropriate cleaning supplies, such as rubber gloves, a duster, and trashbags.

Make a clean sweep each morning.

Even if your housekeeper comes weekly, there are still daily chores that must be managed, especially for those last-minute showings. The best time to do this is before you start your day. Homemaking blog Katie’s Kottage recommends a few quick chores in the morning, such as unloading the dishwasher, making the beds, and starting a load of laundry. Having these things done first thing will make it that much easier to prep your home when it matters most. Most importantly, make sure that everyone contributes to your cleaning efforts.

Keeping a clean house is one of the best things you can do if you want to make a quick sale. Even noted financial advisor Dave Ramsey extols the benefits of a clean home when a for sale sign is up and likens the process to “spring cleaning on steroids.” Remember, your buyers are going to look at everything, and they expect it to be polished and pristine.

Kris Louis

Parenting With Kris