When a house is on the market, it becomes less the owner’s home and more of a display item. Nowhere is this more important to remember than in the bathroom.
Buyers don’t want to see the seller’s personal hygiene items or a collection of empty shampoo bottles. They want to be confident that this private room is well maintained and sanitized. The trick to make the area seem less, well…private.
Preparing a bathroom for touring potential buyers is a four step process -clean, repair, sanitize and spruce.
Every surface that can hold something – vanity, toilet tank, shower window, floor – should be cleared of as many objects as possible.
The same thing applies for anything that can be opened – medicine cabinet, drawers, and linen closets.
Cleaning begins with throwing out any expired medication or makeup, empty containers, and other useless objects found while emptying cabinets and drawers.
The process continues with wiping each shelf, drawer, and cabinet door. When the sink is clear, take the time to check the faucets and pipes for leaks.
If faucets leak, the washers likely need replacing. Corroded faucets may require replacement; choose a simple, affordable model. Fill up the sink. If it drains slowly, try drain clog remover. If that doesn’t work, call a plumber.
Once everything is clean and working, neatly organize items under the sink using containers for any small items.
Lift the top of the toilet tank and check the water level and inner mechanisms. Flush the toilet. Does the water refill to the correct level and stop when it should? If not, the seat and stopper mechanism likely needs replacement. This is an easy, affordable DIY fix with parts available at local hardware stores.
People will notice a dirty shower, so spend time there. Remove personal items like cleanser, hair products, shaving cream, razors, and sponges from the shower or tub area.
Discard unnecessary items and store the rest under the sink. Test the faucets and showerhead. Do the faucets shut off completely? If not, replace the washers. Is the water spraying freely from the showerhead? If not, check for clogs and clean it; if it still doesn’t work, replace it.
Examine the tiles and tub for chips or discolouration. Any loose pieces or chips in the tile? Cracks in the grout? Scrub the everywhere until mold and mildew are gone. Re-grout tile gaps and replace discoloured caulking. Top off your repairs with a new shower curtain.
Check the ceiling and walls for mold, mildew, fingerprints, or grime. If found, scrub with bleach. Scrape and repaint any cracking or curling paint in a neutral colour.
A rule of thumb: Place only three items on the vanity area. Experts suggest these include potpourri, a filled soap dispenser and a plant.
After the big bathroom clean-up, it’s important to maintain its fresh smell and appearance. Keep the space uncluttered, clean, and sanitized. It should enhance the house’s appeal without showing much of the current residents’ personalities.
Now, it’s time for sprucing up.
Remove all dirty towels, washcloths, bath mats, and robes. Display a clean set of towels before showings. Empty trash and wipe floors daily. Personal grooming items – like toothbrushes, makeup, and hair dryers – should be stored out of sight, preferably in drawers or cabinets.
Spend a Little, Get a Lot
✅ Use a degreaser and razor blade to clean basement windows.
✅ Remember to store valuables while showing your home – expensive jewelry should go in a safe deposit box.
✅ Need to pack long stemmed artificial flowers? Ask your florist for the boxes used to deliver fresh flowers.
✅ Even if your whole house doesn’t need painting, a fresh coat on the door and trim in a new colour may boost your sale price by a couple thousand dollars.
✅ Hire professional painters early, as their schedules fill up quickly.
How To Avoid The Most Expensive Mistakes Smart People Make When They Sell A Home…
Mistake #1:Basing the asking price on needs or emotion rather than market value.
Often people make their pricing decisions based on how much they paid for or invested into their home. This can be an expensive mistake. Overpriced homes take longer to sell and eventually result in less money. Consult with a professional real estate agent that can assist you in pricing your home correctly from the beginning
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