You’re not the only one who needs to get in your best shape for summer – so does your house! Along with the season’s lovely, bright days of sunlight and warmth, comes the prime opportunity to sell your home. But similar to how you exercise, eat more veggies, and slather on some instant bronzer before slipping into your bikinis or board shorts, your house also needs preparation (staging, cleaning, etc.) to be shown in its best light to clients. These simple actions yield major results for the sales potential of a property. The following tips will help have your home swept off the market in no time.

1. De-Cluttering

First, get rid of any unnecessary items around your home, such as paperwork, children’s toys, or any other personal items that could distract buyers from the space itself.  Like the old adage says, “you only get one chance to make a first impression,” and you don’t want that impression to be an eyesore for critical, would-be buyers. Plus, clutter often makes a home feel less spacious, which is almost never a good thing. Begin by focusing on low-traffic areas such as the basement, attic and garage where you have your things in deep storage. Give them away to a charity, a local thrift store, throw them away or put them in self-storage. You can also organize a yard sale; summer’s the perfect time to have one! Whatever you choose, just avoid leaving extra belongings lying around the house, where they will only be in the way.

2. General Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning, your primary focus should be the areas that buyers will frequent, such as the kitchen, living room, bathroom(s) and dining room. Check the areas that immediately catch the eye – countertops/tables, sofas, sinks, bathtubs/showers, etc. – and clean them as thoroughly as you can. Be diligent when you’re cleaning your bathroom and kitchen, since these are generally the rooms that most highly influence a buyer’s decision (because of their high renovation costs, buyers prefer them to already be in move-in condition). Yet these areas are also usually the hardest to clean and tend to collect the most germs. For example, your kitchen sink may have unsightly grease and food bits. The best way to get rid of them would be to use abrasive cleaners as they provide the extra power needed to clean tough spots. Use gel and liquid cleaners on sensitive surfaces and spray cleaners for most other areas. Avoid using powdery cleaners since they often leave a residue behind that requires even more cleaning.

3. Eliminating Mold

Something else that needs your attention is mildew and mold. Use bleach or other specific fungicides to vanquish unpleasant mold as soon as possible, as it is a huge turn-off to potential buyers. Depending on where you live, the differences between summer daylight and nighttime coolness can create condensation, which in time will allow mold to thrive. To lessen the chance of mildew problems, make sure bathrooms and any room where there is moisture are properly ventilated and have good air circulation.

4. Shining Glass

Start by vacuuming rooms before you wash your windows and glass so dust doesn’t end up sticking to them. Next, make sure you use a high-quality product specifically made for cleaning glass so it won’t leave streaks on your windows, mirrors, glass tabletops, etc. Also, be sure to use a good squeegee, which will further help prevent streaking. The shinier and more streak-free your glass is, the brighter a room will feel – perfect for capitalizing on all that summer sunshine!

Hopefully, by following these guidelines your home will be in tip-top shape to be sold in no time!

A guest post by: House Clearance Bayswater

About the Author: Cora Carter is a professional writer. She lives in England with her husband and children. She wants to share her experience with her audience. She has many published articles on various topics such as home and garden, real estate, cleaning etc.