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SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AND HOMES FOR SALE-SELLER TIPS-THE BATHROOM PART 2

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Real Estate Agent with Knipe Realty 200406177

Seller tips for bathroom

 

SALEM OREGON REAL ESTATE AND HOMES FOR SALE - Tips for Selling Your Home-Part 2-The Bathroom

SALEM AREA HOME SELLER'S TIPS FOR GETTING YOU TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR HOME IN THIS SALEM, OREGON REAL ESTATE MARKET.   THE BATHROOM PART 2.

Welcome to Part 2 of The Bathroom!! In Part 1 I talked about cleaning the vanity, cabinets and drawers, and also suggested some repairs that you may need to consider when selling your home. In Part 2 we are going to address some other tips to make your bathrooms sparkle and appeal to buyers.

Buyers will notice a filthy shower, and nothing turns a buyer off quicker. So, spend some time here.

Remove personal items - cleanser, shampoo and conditioner, shave cream, razor, body sponges - from the shower/tub area.

Discard items that are unnecessary and store the rest under the sink. Test the faucets and showerhead. Do the faucets turn off all the way? If not, change the washers. Is the water spraying freely from the showerhead? No? Then remove it and check to see if it's clogged. If it still doesn't work properly after cleaning, replace it.

Carefully examine tiles and the tub. Does the tub have chips and discoloration? It may need to be resurfaced or replaced.

How do the tiles look? Any loose pieces or chips? Are there cracks in the grout? Scrub the bathtub, tiles and grout until they are mold and mildew free. Regrout gaps between tiles. Scrape and replace discolored caulking.

When the shower and bathtub have been overhauled, top off your repairs with a new, crisp shower curtain or liner in a neutral color.

Take a good look at the ceiling and walls. Do you see any mold, mildew, fingerprints or grime? If so, scrub it with bleach. Cracking or curling paint should be scraped and repainted in a neutral color.
Here is a good rule of thumb: Place only three items on the vanity area. Many real estate experts suggest these include potpourri, a new or clean, filled soap dispenser, and a plant. It's a good idea to keep the toilet tank top cleared as prospective buyers and inspectors may want to peek inside it.
After the big clean-up and repair job in the bathroom, it's important to maintain the fresh smell and appearance each day the house is on the market. The space should be kept uncluttered, clean and sanitized. It should reflect well on the house of which it is a part and offer few glimpses of the personalities who currently live there.

At this point, a homeowner enters the sprucing-up stage. After cleaning every nook and cranny in the bathroom, it's time to add the finishing touches. All dirty towels and wash cloths, bath mats and robes should be removed. A clean set of towels should be displayed before the house is shown. Trash baskets should be emptied and floors wiped daily. All personal grooming items - tooth brushes, make-up, combs and brushes, hair dryers, perfume, etc. - should be tucked away, preferably in a container and stored in a drawer or cabinet.

bathroom

Now that you have your bathrooms sparkling, let's talk about something else that is important!  CURB APPEAL!!  That will be the subject of the next blog post in this series of Tips for Selling Your Home.

Wondering what your home may be worth in the current market?  Request a complimentary market analysis from me.  I will also include a copy of my "How To Sell Your House For Top Dollar, Fast".

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Matt Listro
National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro - Vernon, CT
Your Credit Repair Expert

Hi Mel: Good advice - I agree a filthy shower says yick to potential buyers!

:)

Dec 30, 2009 02:35 PM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Hi Mel - Who doesn't love walking into a bathroom that is sparkling clean and free of all the personal "stuff"!  People won't want to really look around if it doesn't have both of these traits.  We love a nice orchid by the sink and not only clean but brand new towels in a contemporary color.  Big, fluffy towels give a more luxurious feel to the room! 

Dec 30, 2009 11:30 PM
Derek Meyer
AmeriTitle - Bend, OR
AmeriTitle

Happy New Year Mel! -

Are you saying I need to clean my bathroom a little more if I wanna sell my house??? :)

Make it a good one this year!

Dec 31, 2009 02:35 AM
Jim Allhiser
Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Derek, that is fowl.

Mel,  Great points.  It seems that many sellers think they should be able to "live" in their home while they sell it, and that just doesn't make the home look very good.

Dec 31, 2009 05:32 AM
Mel Wagner
Knipe Realty - Salem, OR
Principal Broker/Agent Salem Oregon Real Estate

Lol, Derek, please clean your bathroom for your own sake ;-)  I've seen a few like that-it definitely does not get buyers excited....  Love big, fluffy towels and an orchid by the sink...

After Matt's comment about the shower, I am trying NOT to picture what Derek's shower looks like ;-)  Jim-we have seen some "lovely" bathrooms together in the past few years.

Dec 31, 2009 06:40 AM
Trevor Elliott
RE/MAX Integrity - Salem, OR

Mel,

Bathrooms and kitchens sell houses. They have to be spotless.

Jan 06, 2010 05:42 AM