Get Ready to Show

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.

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.

A 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.

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.

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. 

Happy Selling! 

Happy Investing!