Getting your property ready for rental or sale is like going into battle – you’ll need a strategic plan and time to prepare.
All properties sell or rent eventually, but a clean, clutter-free, well-presented home elicits far more interest and a quicker offer. That’s a fact, and it’s essential in a competitive market or if your property has some significant drawbacks.
There are two options for pre-listing: either do it yourself or hire professionals. Junk removal companies will help you get started, and home staging companies can add those essential finishing touches.
Here’s a handy guide to get you started no matter which route you choose.
Photograph Each Room Before You Start
Looking at your house as the buyer will see it is very helpful. You’ll be surprised at how different it looks through a screen and what you’ve been living with all this time. After a while, you just don’t see the clutter.
Before you get to work, snap an image of each room with your device. It’ll help you see the weak points, and when you’re done, you’ll have a perfect ‘before and after’ to compare.
Remove all the Trash
It’s incredible how junk can build up in a property. Remove all the garbage and trash. Sort the items you want to get rid of into different categories – landfill, recycling, and donation.
If it seems like a mammoth task, call a professional junk removal company. It’s a given if you’re a busy real estate agent or property manager. They’ll be able to do it all in a day, two at most, and you won’t need to worry about disposal.
De-Clutter and De-Personalize
De-cluttering is an excellent task for both owners and renters to do ahead of their move. It makes it much easier to pack up your stuff when it is time to leave.
Clutter gives a poor impression and can seriously impact the pictures that go online, whether you’re renting or selling. A lot of clutter is personal, detracting from how renters and buyers imagine themselves living in the property.
Focus on the kitchen and bathrooms. If these rooms are cluttered with items all over the surfaces, they don’t give an impression of hygiene and are much harder to clean.
Keep one or two neutral items in living areas and bedrooms that create a sense of warmth and welcome. There’s nothing wrong with a magazine or remote control in the lounge, but no more than one or two well-chosen items.
Don’t just stuff things into cupboards. If you’re renting furnished or selling with fitted units and closets, people will open the doors to see the available space. Closets stuffed full of clothes give the impression of a lack of storage.
Rationalize the Furniture
Too much furniture makes a room seem small and cramped. Fewer items give the impression of space. Get rid of anything superfluous and re-arrange what’s left into a design that suits the room and makes it look bigger and more appealing.
Remember that removing furniture could leave marks on the walls and areas where the carpet is shaded differently. It could mean a seriously good clean or even re-painting or re-decorating. Some marks can be concealed with a well-chosen rug or picture.
Don’t Forget Attics, Sheds and Garages
Out of sight, out of mind, but viewers could want to look in your attic. They might have specific items they want to store or are considering a conversion for more accommodation.
Untidy garages and sheds always give a poor impression, and they can end up dumping grounds for all the stuff you took out of the house. Opening the garage and revealing all the old furniture and debris you’ve just removed can be slightly embarrassing.
If you hire a garage, attic, or basement junk removal company, make sure they handle the roof space in the house and any outbuildings. This will make moving out much easier when the day comes.
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Get Cleaning!
You could consider a deep-clean using a professional cleaning company. It’s worthwhile if the house remains empty before it’s sold or rented.
Even if you’re going to continue living there, a deep clean gets you going more quickly, which means you can list within a few days. Imagine just how long it’ll take you to do it yourself around your busy lifestyle.
A deep clean means you need only stay on top of the daily housework, plus it tackles all those horrible jobs.
If you’re going to clean the property yourself, then once you have cleared the junk and clutter, do a walk-through and assess all the cleaning products and materials you’ll need.
There may also be some small DIY jobs, like filling nail holes after removing pictures, mending furniture handles, or fixing wonky light fittings.
Do a thorough clean once a month or get a company to do it for you while the property is actively listed; it’s money well spent. Always keep a handy box of items ready for a quick spruce-up if you get surprised by a short-notice viewing.
Home Staging
Home staging is all about presenting a property that looks like a home but doesn’t scream the previous occupant. It allows viewers to visualize themselves living in the house or apartment, whether that’s the décor or available storage space.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 58% of buyers’ real estate agents say home staging positively affects most buyers’ views of the property.
A high percentage of buyers want to imagine how they’ll live in a property. Is it practical for their lifestyle? Perhaps they have kids or pets.
The most common rooms to stage are living rooms, kitchens, and primary bedrooms. But, hey, don’t panic just yet. You don’t require an interior designer to makeover your home. You just need to present a clean, clutter-free, well-laid-out property.
With online listings, static images, and walk-thru tours, buyers and renters can get a feel of a property before they step outside the front door. So, seeing your home through the screen before you list is super important.
Remember to stage fitted cupboards and closets in the bedroom and kitchen drawers, which are popular for people to open when they view a property.
Consider hiring a staging service if you have an awkward or high-value property. They can optimize a difficult property and help manage problems or drawbacks to show it in its full potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a House Need To Be Cleaned Before Selling?
All houses should be pristine before listing, and this means clearing out the junk and trash first, followed by a thorough de-clutter. A deep clean is a good starting point, and then you’ll need a regular cleaning schedule to ensure the house is always ready for viewings, which can be short notice.
How Clean Should a House Be for Showings?
The popularity of interiors and real estate programs means that many buyers and renters have seriously high expectations of how a property should look. That’s tough if you live in it and have a busy life with kids and pets. Some areas should always be sparkling, so prioritize the kitchen, bathroom, and living room if you’re short on time.
Need Help With Real Estate Pre-Listing Cleanouts in the Bay Area, CA? We Can Help.
Whether you’re a property manager, a real estate agent facing a difficult listing, or just a homeowner with little time, hiring a property cleanout service before you list is the key to success. A professional junk removal and real estate agent cleanout service will clear the property of trash and clutter in a fraction of the time. Plus, you don’t have to worry about disposal – it’s all done for you.
Here at Nixxit Junk, we work with property managers, commercial property owners, residential homeowners, and real estate agents across the Bay Area, providing speedy service to get your property listed in the shortest possible time. Schedule your junk removal online or select your location below and give us a call today!
