The pandemic has made the housing market less predictable than usual, but home prices continue to rise. To make sure you are getting the most out of your listings, you need to consider all angles as you prepare them for selling.
Of course, you make sure the interior is clean and presentable, right? But staging is not just for indoors.
You need to clean the outside of the home and property before you put it on the market!
Why is exterior cleaning important?
What’s the first thing a potential buyer sees? The outside of the home. Whether they are viewing a listing online, driving through the neighborhood, or coming for a showing, the very first thing their eyes see is the exterior of the property.
As you know, first impressions are everything! A clean exterior gives the right impression and suggests that the interior is also clean and well-maintained.
It is not uncommon for a potential buyer to see a house that looks dirty from the outside and just pass on it completely. Even if the inside is beautiful and clean, it’s hard to get past the initial impression.
Not to mention, buyers love a house that is move-in ready. When they know that the outside of the house and property is clean and everything is in great shape, it’s easier to take the leap to make an offer.
Cleaning prevents bigger problems
Without a deep cleaning, the house, driveway, and other outdoor surfaces can not only become dirty, but also damaged. The last thing your and your seller want is costly repairs. By keeping everything clean, you can improve the longevity of the surfaces and improve their appearance too.
Pressure washing can take care of:
- Mold and mildew. Mold and mildew are especially troublesome. Left unchecked, they can grow into the trim and even the interior walls of the house. This can cause damage that is difficult to repair.
- A house with algae growing on the home appears to be unkempt. A buyer is likely to assume other areas of the house are also not being taken care of properly.
- During allergy season, pollen can accumulate on roofs and siding. This can cause health issues. The last thing you want is a buyer to have a sneezing fit while viewing your listing!
- Dirt and debris. Accumulated dirt, bird droppings, leaves…make sure all the surfaces are sparkling clean before you take the photos for your listing!
- Cracks in driveways and sidewalks can attract dirt, and before you know it weeds have sprouted. You definitely want to get rid of those before a buyer comes by.
A clean house sells faster
As a realtor, you know that the quicker the sale the better. So don’t pass up the opportunity to speed up the sale of your properties by washing them first. A clean house will help increase your turnover rate.
Increase curb appeal.
A beautiful exterior will draw buyers in. Likewise, a messy, dirty exterior will signal to them that the interior is also messy and undesirable. Just as you would make sure the lawn and landscaping are neat and tidy, you also want to make sure the surfaces are shiny and clean.
Let in the light.
Do you encourage sellers to open blinds and curtains before a showing? If so, you know the power of bright, natural light. Buyers feel happier in brightly lit rooms. When the windows and skylights in a home are clean, more light is able to come in. People are often surprised because even windows that don’t seem that dirty can hold a lot of dirt! The difference in interior light once they are clean is well worth it.
Prevent surprises.
Sometimes, power washing reveals areas of the home where repairs are needed. Maybe a piece of siding is cracked, or some trim paint needs to be touched up. You don’t want to discover this during the inspection!
Smoother inspection process.
Aside from taking care of any needed repairs in advance, just the simple fact that the house is clean can help the inspection process go smoother. If the inspector sees a bunch of dirt and mold, they will need to look closely for damage. This also primes them to look more closely for the rest of the inspection – first impressions are important for inspections too! When everything is clean, inspectors tend to assume there is no damage, and can see any damage much easier if there is something that needs to be taken care of.
Don't miss these dirty areas!
It’s not just the house that needs to be washed. Everything outdoors needs to be spic and span for best selling results. Make sure you include:
- Vinyl, wood, or otherwise: it can benefit from a good pressure washing
- Deck
- Patio
- Driveway
- Roof
- Gutters
- Walk-ways and sidewalks
- Wood fences
- Garden walls
- Windows and skylights
As you can see, adding pressure washing to your pre-listing checklist is a must. Happy selling!
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