Many home buyers feel slightly uncomfortable looking at bathrooms while touring homes. Buyers will spend more time in the kitchen, living room and bedrooms than they will in a bathroom. Potential buyers will typically poke their heads in the door — often without stepping foot in the room, which takes all of about three seconds. So, that’s what you’ve got to impress a buyer — three seconds. Sellers can spend hours staging a bathroom for that three-second reaction.
Get out the bleach and start scrubbing. If you prefer not to use bleach, find an organic substitute, but bleach works best. Your goal is to clean the bathroom from top to bottom. It should sparkle and radiate cleanliness.
Get rid of mold. Almost every bathroom contains some form of mold, especially in corners.
Remove the covers from light fixtures and exhaust fan, wash, dry and replace.
If your light fixtures are rated for 100-watt, replace the bulbs with 100-watt.
Remove prescriptions from the medicine cabinet, and any other personal items you don’t want a buyer to find, and store this stuff in a safe place.
Throw out worn, frayed, or outdated rugs and towels.
If wallpaper is peeling, steam it off the walls and paint the walls with a light-colored semi-gloss.
Use Lime-A-Way or a similar product to remove soap grime and calcium residue from shower doors.
Fix leaky or dripping faucets.
If cabinet hardware is weathered, replace knobs and pulls.
Want some ideas to spruce up the look of your bathroom without spending a fortune? Try some of these suggestions, but also keep in mind that avoiding clutter is paramount.
- Towels, rugs, wash cloths
- Bamboo or wooden trays
- Candles in various sizes
- Green plants
- Small water fountains
- Scented soaps
- Glass containers filled with cotton balls or Q-tips
- Sea shells
- Fluffy white robe
- Padded satin hanger
- Creams, lotions, shampoos or bath salts with unusual or antique packaging
- Sea sponges and bath brushes.