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, moldy remnants of steamy
showers or a soap scum-covered
collection of empty shampoo bottles.
They want to be confident that
this most private of rooms 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 divested 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, make-up
that hasn’t been used in a year,
nearly empty containers, and any
other useless objects found while
emptying cabinets and drawers.
The process continues with wiping
each shelf, drawer, and cabinet
door. When everything is out from
under the sink, take the time to
check the faucets and pipes for
leaks. |
If faucets
leak, washers probably need to
be changed. In some cases, the
faucets may be corroded and need
to be replaced. If this is the
case, opt for an inexpensive and
very plain model. Fill the sink
with water. If it drains from the
sink slowly, pour in some drain
clog remover and see if this helps.
If not, call a plumber. When everything
is clean and in working condition,
neatly return items to the cabinet
under the sink, using containers
for small objects like bath toys,
sponges or cleaners.
While the top of the toilet tank
is bare, lift up the top and check
the water level and condition of
the inner mechanisms. Flush the
toilet. Does the water refill to
the correct level? Does the water
shut off when it reaches this level?
If not, then the inside mechanism
with the seat and stopper at the
bottom of the tank will need to
be replaced.
This is quite easy and inexpensive
to do yourself. Parts are available
at your local hardware or home
improvement store.
Folks will notice a filthy shower.
So, spend some time here. Remove
personal items – cleanser, shampoo
and conditioner, shave cream, razor,
body sponges – from the shower/tub
area.
Continue down to the next section |
