7 Secrets to Cleaning Your House for a Short-Notice Showing

Buyers on the way? Check out these seven secrets to cleaning your house fast before a short-notice showing.

7 Secrets to Cleaning Your House for a Short-Notice Showing

When your house is on the market, you may be subject to short-notice showings – that is, your real estate agent may call you and say that there are buyers interested in seeing your home within the next 30 minutes. When that happens, you need to rush through and make sure your home is spotless. You can do that by following these seven tips:

Whisk away clutter
Wipe down counters with an all-purpose cleaner
Spot-sweep or mop as necessary
Put away toys
Gather pet items
Put dishes in the dishwasher
Take out the trash

Here’s a closer look at each.

Fast Cleaning Tip #1: Whisk Away Clutter

Your best bet is to keep an empty laundry basket on hand so you can use it when you get notified that buyers are on their way. You’ll use the basket to capture items you don’t have time to put away. The goal for this basket: Take it with you when you leave for the showing, and when you return, bring it in and put away all the items it contains.

Fast Cleaning Tip #2: Wipe Down Counters With an All-Purpose Cleaner

Hit every counter in your home with an all purpose cleaner. Generally, it’s easiest to use cleaning wipes, which you can pull out and dispose of as soon as you’re done.

Fast Cleaning Tip #3: Spot-Sweep (or Mop) As Necessary

While your home is on the market, you should sweep and mop every morning. That way, you don’t have to rush through your entire home when you find out a buyer is on their way. Instead, you can spot-sweep or mop wherever necessary (and skip the rest until the following morning).

Fast Cleaning Tip #4: Put Away Toys

If your kids have left out toys and they’re not there to help, toss them into your “to-go” laundry basket and take them with you when you leave.

Fast Cleaning Tip #5: Gather Pet Items

Rather than putting away pet items (such as beds, toys and food dishes), take them with you when you leave the house. You’re taking your pet with you anyway! Besides, some buyers don’t even want to think that a pet lives in the home, and leaving pet accessories behind will be a dead giveaway.

Fast Cleaning Tip #6: Put Dishes in the Dishwasher

Rush to the sink and put the dishes in the dishwasher. You don’t have to start it (and in fact, you shouldn’t start it if it’s not the quietest dishwasher you’ve ever owned) – getting them out of the sink is enough.

Pro Tip: Get into the habit of putting your dishes directly in the sink when you’re done using them. That’ll save you time in the long run (both now, when your home is on the market, and later, when you move into your next place).

Fast Cleaning Tip #7: Take Out the Trash

Grab the trash bag on your way out the door. Don’t forget to replace it with a new one, though!

Are You Selling a Home in DC Ranch?

Thinking about selling your home in DC Ranch? Call us at 480-360-0281 to find out how we’ll market it to all the right buyers. If you’re also looking for a new home, we’d love show you any listing in the community. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll be happy to search for something that’s a perfect match for your needs.

While you’re here, check out our:

Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team
RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
866-613-8356
don@scottsdalerealestate.com