3rd In The Series – Selling Your Home: It Isn’t For Sissies!!

So far in the series, Selling Your Home: It Isn’t For Sissies, we have covered The Outside and The Living Room. Now let’s tackle one of the most important rooms in any home: The Kitchen. It’s where you gather with the family at the end of the day. It’s where friends gather and chat over coffee. It’s where skinned knees are bandaged, and comfort food is prepared. When showing homes many times it is the kitchen that can make or break a deal.

Close your eyes and imagine the kitchen in that model center.  Now open them and look around.

Countertops: With the exception of the coffee pot and maybe a set of canisters, they should be totally clean. Now is the time to store the can opener, toaster, food processor and other misc. items in a cabinet. Any canisters should be decorative and wiped clean.
Backsplash: Take a good look at the wall area between your cabinets and countertops, especially near the stove. These should be free of any grease and food splatters. It’s amazing when you look close what you’ll see that you didn’t realize was there!
Cabinets: Buyers will open the cabinets as they want to see if their stuff is going to fit. Now is the time to weed out all those plastic bowls with no lids and almost empty cereal boxes. Wipe down both the face and inside of doors and organize the shelves neatly. Organized Cabinets Look Spacious!
Stove: Clean the inside of the oven, the top of the stove and replace any liners if necessary. (Did you know ceramic top stoves are easily cleaned with a mix of vinegar and baking soda. Mix it into a paste and spread it on the glass top. After it sits for a bit, scrub gently with a scotchbrite type pad.) Remove the knobs and clean those as well. Pay particular attention to the range hood if you don’t have a built-in microwave.
Microwave: Clean the inside and front glass.
Refrigerator: Now is a good time to throw out all those outdated jams and jellies and combine the three partial bottles of ketchup into one. Clean all the shelves, door jamb and front. Add a box of baking soda to absorb any smells. Make sure the light works and remember to clear the top of the refrigerator if you’re storing items there.
Dishwasher: It’s going to get opened so, if possible, remember to run it each morning before you leave for Clean Stovework. Dishes coated with the remains of last night’s pot roast won’t leave the best impression. Make sure the inside of the door and around the edges are clean.
Sink: The sink should be clean and extra sponges, dish rags, etc. stored out of sight. It should go without saying to never leave dirty dishes in the sink. That’s an instant turnoff to even the most relaxed buyer. Same goes for clean dishes in a drainer rack. Please, please take the extra moment to put them away. Don’t forget the window over the sink! Make sure the glass is wiped free of spots and that the window sill is clean and clutter free.
Light Fixtures: Remove and wash any glass globes and make sure that all fixtures have bright light bulbs.
Floors: Make sure they are mopped and, if appropriate, waxed. Clean around baseboards and add a cheery rug in front of the sink.

When potential buyers are previewing your home it’s very likely they will stand around in the kitchen and talk with their agent about the pros and cons of your home before moving on to the next one. Taking time to make sure this all important room is spotless, bright and inviting will give you great rewards.

Happy Cleaning!!!

Bill and Cyndi

PS – Next we tackle the second most important room in the house – The Bathroom!

Selling Your Home: It Isn’t For Sissies!! The Outside

Selling Your Home: It Isn’t For Sissies!! The Living Room