The Bathroom has to be one of the least glamorous rooms of a house; but, the potential impact it can have on a prospective Buyers’ decision to buy can be huge.
In response to a recent study where Buyers were asked what conveys cleanliness to them when looking at a potential new home, their response: “The Kitchen Sink, the Laundry Room and the Bathrooms.”
You will notice a recurring theme throughout these tips: CLEAN! And, I’m not talking your once-a-week surface cleaning…I’m talking DETAILED CLEANING.
GOAL: To create a spa-like experience for prospective Buyers.
So, arm yourself with the following list of supplies and products and follow me to the bathroom:
> Gloves > Sponges (I use three different ones: one for the sinks and surfaces; one for the toilets; and one for the tub/shower) > Scrub brush > an old Toothbrush (great for corners, along baseboards, around the toilet base, and grout) > Paper Towels > Telescoping Duster > Bathroom Cleanser (preferably one with bleach; a disinfectant – I like Soft Scrub) > Glass Cleaner (e.g., Windex) > Clorox Bleach Pen (great for cleaning grout) > Zap Restorer and Cleaner (removes rust, iron stains, calcium deposits, hard water stains, lime scale, soap scum, mold and mildew, and ground-in dirt on porcelain, fiberglass, tile and grout) > Easy Off – BAM (for shower doors). Use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to assist with tough spots. > Gonzo Odor Eliminator (Absorbs smoke odors, eliminates musty odors caused by mold and mildew, and, helps with pet odors, too! All-natural, odorless, non-toxic volcanic crystals are environmentally safe for pets.)
CLEAN:
> Floors > Walls > Ceilings (knock down any cob webs) > Door (both sides) > Door Jambs > Exhaust Vents > Tub (make sure to run the jets in the tub to make sure there are no surprises) > Shower (clean the grout) > Shower Doors > Sinks > Faucets > Toilets > Vanity Drawers and Cabinets (inside and out) > Mirrors > Windows (inside and out) > Window Sills > Screens > Window Treatments (consider removing them altogether; or washing and ironing before putting them back up) > Shelves/Built-ins > Linen Closets (inside and out)
ACTION ITEMS:
Complete any outstanding projects (improvement projects).
Wallpaper? Remove it! Why? Wallpaper is considered a custom decor choice; and, will rarely be the choice of the Buyer.
Patch all holes and cracks in the walls.
Paint walls a neutral color. Avoid white for the walls. Instead, choose a soft (universal) color. Recommendation: Benjamin Moore’s Richmond Bisque.
Touch up any wood trim. Trim, ceilings and doors should be white. Using the same trim color throughout the home is preferable.
Wash all windows (inside and out, as applicable).
Replace outdated light fixtures.
Replace pitted or tarnished faucets.
Consider replacing the hardware on the cabinets for an inexpensive (but, effective) way to update the look of a bathroom.
Re-caulk, as necessary.
Remove all cleaning supplies from sight. If the next-best-place for them is under the Vanity (arrange them NEATLY in a container).
Vanity Cabinets should be neat and organized: Clutter-free.
Linen Closets should be tidy: Make sure the contents are appropriate to what should be in a linen closet. APPROPRIATE: Bath Linens (towels, washcloths); Bed Linens (sheets, pillow cases); Bar soap. INAPPROPRIATE: Clothes; Food; Craft supplies.
Tuck all wastebaskets away (place under the Vanity, if possible). When the house is shown, the wastebaskets should be emptied of all debris and lined with waste liners that “fit” the size of the wastebasket.
Remove family or personal photos.
Put away all toilet brushes and plungers.
Remove all toilet and tank covers and take up all rugs.
Remove items typically found on the floor (e.g., scales, hampers).
No personal items should be in plain view. These items should be collected and placed in a basket that fits easily under the sink (inside the Vanity).
If you have a “Kid’s Bathroom” – I strongly recommend you change it into an “Adult Bathroom.” Themed-rooms are a turn-off for Buyers.
Shower curtains should be fabric (preferably, white). No “busy” patterns. I’ve seen some striped patterns actually work nicely.
Place a full roll of toilet paper on the holder.
If candles are in the bathroom, then, they should be new candles (not ones that have been previously burned).
Place a fresh soap pump at each sink.
Place clean, fresh towels on every towel bar. Rule of thumb: If the walls are white, the towels should be a color. If the walls have color (or a pattern) the towels should always be white. My preference: white ones.
Add a touch of green to the room (e.g., potted ivy).
Place all toilet seats in the “down” position.
Replace any burned-out light bulbs. Keep extra ones (of each type) on hand.
PROPS YOU MIGHT USE:
> Plush, thirsty towels > Greenery (Bamboo, ivy and palm frawns are a few to consider) > Grasses/Reeds > Art/Framed prints > Soap pumps > Fresh pillar candles (varying in height) > Fabric shower curtains > Roll of toilet papers > Polished river stones > Sea shells > Wicker baskets (for functionality, as well as, staging purposes)
RESULT: A clean, tidy, staged bathroom will create a “spa-like” experience for the Buyer.
NOTEWORTHY:
Remove Throw Rugs (Scatter Rugs) and Runners: Rugs are “eye-clutter” and a safety hazard when Buyers are moving through a house. One rug inside the front door (main entrance into the house), one runner in a hallway, one rug in front of the kitchen sink (if necessary), and in front of any door leading outside should be it. Keep in mind if you leave an area rug in a room, the Buyer is only seeing the size of the room based on its size and shape.
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