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The bathroom has to be one of the least glamorous rooms in a house; but, the potential impact it can have on the purchasing decision of prospective buyers can be enormous.
In response to a recent study in which buyers were asked what cleanliness conveys to them when looking for a potential new home, their response was, “The kitchen sink, laundry room, and bathrooms.”
You’ll notice a recurring theme throughout these tips: CLEAN! And I don’t mean surface cleaning once a week… I mean DETAILED CLEANING.
So arm yourself with the following list of supplies and products and follow me into the bathroom:
– Gloves
– Sponges (I use three different ones: one for the sinks and surfaces; one for the toilets; and one for the bathtub/shower)
– scrub brush
– an old toothbrush (great for corners, along baseboards, around the base of the toilet, and grout)
– Paper towels
– Bathroom cleaner (preferably one with bleach; a disinfectant – I like Soft Scrub)
– Glass cleaner (eg Windex)
– Clorox Bleach Pen (great for cleaning grout)
– Zap Cleaner & Restorer (removes rust, iron stains, calcium deposits, hard water stains, limescale, soap scum, mold and mildew, and dirt adhering to porcelain, fiber glass, tile and grout)
– Easy Off – BAM (for shower doors). Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to help with tough spots.
– Gonzo Odor Eliminator (absorbs smoke odors, eliminates musty odors caused by mold and mildew, and also helps with pet odors. All-natural, odorless, non-toxic volcanic crystals are safe for the environment for pets).
CLEAN:
– Floors
-Walls
– Ceilings (knock down any cobwebs)
– Door (both sides) Exhaust vents
– Bathtub (make sure to run the jets in the bathtub to ensure there are no surprises)
– Shower (clean grout)
– Shower doors
– Sinks
– Faucets
– Toilets
– Dresser drawers and cabinets (inside and out)
-Mirrors
– Windows (inside and out)
– Screens
– Window treatments (consider removing completely or laundering and ironing before reapplying)
– Shelves / Built-ins
– Linen closets (inside and out)
THE BATHROOM:
Complete any pending projects (improvement projects).
Wallpaper? Take it off! Because? Wallpaper is considered a custom decorating option; and, will rarely be the Buyer’s choice.
Patch all holes and cracks in the walls.
Paint the walls a neutral color. Avoid white for the walls. Instead, choose a soft (universal) color.
Touch up any wood trim. The moldings, ceilings and doors must be white. It is preferable to use the same color of trim throughout the house.
Wash all windows (inside and out, as applicable).
Replace outdated light fixtures.
Replace pitted or cloudy faucets.
Consider replacing cabinet hardware for an inexpensive (but effective) way to update the look of a bathroom.
Recaulk as necessary.
Remove all cleaning supplies from view. If the next best place for them is under the dresser (arrange them ORDERLY in a bin).
Vanity cabinets should be clean and organized – no clutter.
Linen closets need to be tidy – make sure the contents are appropriate for what should be in a linen closet. APPROPRIATE: Bath linen (towels, washcloths); Bedding (sheets, pillowcases); Soap bar. INAPPROPRIATE: Clothing; food; Craft supplies.
Put away all the trash cans (if possible, put them under the dresser). When showing the home, trash cans must be emptied of all debris and covered with trash bags that “fit” the size of the trash can.
Delete family or personal photos.
Put away all toilet brushes and plungers.
Remove all toilet and tank covers and pick up all rugs.
Remove items normally found on the floor (eg, scales, baskets).
No personal items should be visible. These items should be collected and placed in a basket that will easily fit under the sink (inside the vanity).
If you have a “kids bathroom” I recommend you change it to an “adult bathroom”. Themed rooms are a turnoff for shoppers.
Shower curtains should be fabric (preferably white). There are no “busy” patrons. I have seen some striped patterns work very well.
Place a full roll of toilet paper in the holder.
If there are candles in the bathroom, they should be new candles (not candles that have been previously burned).
Put a new soap pump in each sink.
Put clean, fresh towels on each towel rack. General rule: if the walls are white, the towels should be one color. If the walls have color or a pattern, the towels should always be white. My preference: whites.
Add a touch of green to the room (eg, potted ivy).
Place all toilet seats in the “down” position.
ACCESSORIES TO STAGE A BATHROOM:
– Terry towels, thirsty
– Vegetation (bamboo, ivy and palm fruits are some to consider)
– Herbs/Reeds
– Framed Art/Prints
– Soap’s bubbles
– Cool pillar candles (varying in height)
– Fabric shower curtains
– Roll of toilet paper
– Polished river stones
– Sea shells
– Wicker baskets (for functionality as well as staging purposes)
EXAMPLE: A clean, tidy and organized bathroom will create a “spa-like” experience for Buyer.