It may not be the grandest room in the house, but the bathroom is one of the most important when it comes to selling your home. Buyers want as many bathrooms as they can afford, and they want them pristine! According to Realtor.com, if you’re getting set to host an open house – here’s what you should do to get it ready :
Clean everything – There’s nothing worse than walking into an open house and finding any kind of dirt. Give your bathroom the deep kind of cleaning you usually reserve for those special occasions. Use a mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make mirrors sparkle (it’s an old school recipe with fabulous results!)
Hide your toiletries – That means toothbrushes, contact lens kits, makeup containers, hairspray bottles, etc. Anything that can clutter up your countertop should be put in the medicine cabinet, under the sink or wherever it won’t be seen.
Then put out nice ones – Now is the time to break out those triple milled imported soaps, or a nice hand soap or lotion duo. Think hotel bathroom!
Remove prescription drugs – If you have a medicine cabinet full of allergy meds, sleeping pills or anything else your doctor may have prescribed, either lock it away in a safe or take it with you when you leave during the open house.
Stock toilet paper – A well organized bathroom has plenty of toilet paper at the ready. The person who needs it will appreciate it.
Keep the toilet seat down – While we are on the subject of toilets, the seat should always be down and the lid closed. ALWAYS!
Test the water pressure – Buyers most likely will turn on the shower and faucet as well as flush the toilet. They’re checking your water pressure. If it runs at a trickle, get your plumber to take a look.
Fix those drops – If your sink has a slow drop, fix it. A drip isn’t just annoying; to buyers, it’s a sign you might be letting other, bigger things go.
Make it bright – A dimly lit bathroom can make even the cleanest space appear grimy. Try installing a few natural light bulbs to give the appearance of sunshine.
Show off that shower – If your shower is a showstopper, show it off! Pull back the curtain to reveal those coordinating glass tile borders or decorative mosaics you invested all that time and money in.
Fix that fan – A loud exhaust fan is a no-no. If the bathroom exhaust fan is audibly exhausting, it might be cheaper to replace it than have it repaired. Most new fans have a sound rating measured by sones. Be sure to buy one rated at 1.0 sones or less.
Say it with flowers – Heavy air fresheners can be off-putting, but a vase with fresh flowers goes a long way. Orchids, hydrangeas and eucalyptus all add a pleasant scent to a small space and give potentials buyers a reason to smile.
Upgrade your towels – The easiest way to gussy up a bathroom is to change the towels. Invest in fluffy new ones that pop with color (especially if the walls are a neutral shade), and fold them in three parts so no edges show.
Nix the rugs – Rugs are necessary, but they’re not always the most attractive aspect of the bathroom. Leave the floor bare (it makes the space look cleaner and roomier). It gives buyers the chance to see a nice floor.
