Want the Quickest Way to Rent or Sell Your Property?

If you own a rental property or wish to sell a property you’ve previously had as a rental, your goal is to turn it over as quick as possible. Finding renters or buyers in the shortest amount of time means less cost out of pocket or more profit for you.  Besides fixing the visible defects you can see around the home, there are some more aggressive things you can do that may seem tedious, but are surprisingly effective.Prepare Your Home To Rent

How to Prepare a Home to Rent (or Sell)
Nobody wants to buy or rent a filthy house, that’s just a universal truth. You might not think your house is dirty, and maybe it’s not, at least on the surface. There are certain things, however, that may not be noticed by the conscious mind that the subconscious eye will pick up on. These are the things that can make or break the sale or rental of your home. We’re going to talk about these issues and how to address them. After all, knowing is half the battle, so arm up and let’s get cleaning!

The Walls, Baseboards, and Window Sills
You may know to clean the walls, fix any dents or holes the kids may have made over the years, and maybe even slap on a fresh coat of paint. That’s a great start, but it’s just a start. The walls look clean, so why does the room still feel dirty? That’s because your subconscious is noticing things that you’re not consciously picking up on. You’re aware of it, but you don’t register it. It’s hanging there, just out of reach, but you know it’s there and you can’t shake it. So what is it?

The Windows – Inside and Out
It’s the details. The windows let light into the room. Even if the ceiling light is bright, natural light makes the room feel brighter and bigger. Dingy windows let in less light and make the room feel dark, dirty, and constricted. The baseboards along the floor, the window sills, and door frame are often overlooked aspects of a room when cleaning and if they’re not scrubbed, they’ll make the room feel dark, dirty, and neglected. Also pay close attention to the panels over light switches and electrical outlets. These can yellow with age and build up dirt, grime, and oils from hand contact over the years. These panels are cheap to replace from your local hardware store and only require a flat-head screwdriver to swap out.

The Stuff You Can’t See But Can Smell
A commonly overlooked area, rarely ever seen by the naked eye is the tops of cabinets, particularly the kitchen cabinets. They not only collect dust but also oil from the cooking that happens in the kitchen.  This makes grime. You may want to put on some gloves for this and get some degreaser.  The great thing about getting rid of the grime that collects here is that it can dramatically help with any odors that the home has taken on over many months or years.  If you’ve gone this deep into your cleaning agenda you can confidently say you’ve passed  “How to Prepare a Home to Rent or Sell-101″. Congratulations!