Preparing Your Bathroom When Selling Your Home

When preparing your home for sale, details matter. It is easy to think of ways to make your living room or kitchen show their best when selling, but have you given much thought about your bathroom? Here are some general recommendations for making your bathroom sparkle:

Shower and tub – Start by removing all the soaps, washes, shampoos, puffs and everything from the shower area. If you have a shelf, only the essentials go back which includes one shampoo, one conditioner, one soap and that is it! Excess clutter in the shower area will make buyers think there isn’t enough storage in the rest of the bathroom. Then, it is time to really get cleaning – soap scum, lime scale, mold, and mildew make buyers say “Eww!” instead of “Ahhh!”.  Finally, assess the enclosure. If you have a glass enclosure, expend some elbow grease in getting off all the water spots. If the enclosure is a shower curtain, unless it is in great shape, this may be a great time to consider an update with coordinating towels. 

Toilet – Aside from making sure this is impeccably clean, remove any fabric seat covers or toilet rugs. If the cover is cracked or discolored, often that can be replaced without having to replace the entire unit. 

Sink – The sink should be thoroughly cleaned. Evaluate whether the faucet fixtures need to be updated. 

Cabinets and Drawers – There are two aspects to this: 1) Decluttering and 2) Cleaning. Because the bathroom sees residues from makeup and hair products combined with steam, each drawer and cabinet should be emptied, completely cleaned and wiped down, then the essentials for the next 90 days put back in a neat way – think baskets and drawer organizers. 

Caulk – Often a bathroom can benefit from recaulking as seams in the shower and around the sink look much newer when done. Make sure old caulk is removed first. 

Deep cleaning – Now it is time to dive in for a deep cleaning. Dust all surfaces (with a damp cloth if needed) and wipe down baseboards. Clean the light fixtures and ventilation fans safely. If there is any tile grout in the bathroom, all dirt should be cleaned off. That might mean using a steamer, getting a scrub brush and grout cleaner, or calling a professional. The goal is to clean without chipping or creating another project that needs to get done before selling. Make sure you also wash the windows and mirrors!

Towels – Towels are functional but they can also set a mood. Towel color should provide a Zen feel (white is usually a great option), but you also want to make sure they are fluffy to provide interesting texture. They should fit on the towel rack, preferably when folded into thirds, with the rest stored neatly. Keep it simple and keep them straight and neat when hanging. 

Something memorable – Once you have a clean slate, determine if there is something memorable about your bathroom. A dramatic paint color, wallpaper, art piece, or potted plant can also help smooth out any rough edges and create a welcoming environment!

People are very particular about their bathrooms, so don’t give the buyer any reason to pause when it comes to showing yours. We look forward to working with you to make your bathroom wow when you are ready to sell.