The rooms that potential buyers most closely inspect (and judge) during an open house are the kitchen and master bath, according to Trulia and other real estate experts. Since these are the interior spaces where the most value can be added during a sale, extra steps should be taken to ensure they look their best during an open house. A sparkling master bath with clean linens, clutter-free countertops, and a fresh smell could help convince a buyer to purchase your home. If you’re preparing your home for an open house, here are the best ways to stage your bathroom for buyer appeal.
Invest in Minor Remodeling
If you don’t have the cash for an in-depth remodel, there are plenty of affordable upgrades that can increase your bathroom’s appeal. Simply swapping out a cracked or damaged sink or cupboard for an attractive bath vanity can make a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your bathroom. Take a walk through your bathroom and look for any improvements you can make – for an extra set of eyes, invite a friend or neighbor to give you their honest opinion; they may notice something you’ve completely overlooked. Other minor upgrades can include a new toilet seat, a new shower curtain, a new mirror, or something as small as a new soap dish.
Clean (Thoroughly!)
You might be surprised at the amount of homeowners who simply give their bathroom a quick clean and call it a day. There’s no better time than now to give your bathroom a deep clean – look out for mildew, mold, strange odors, toilet bowl rings, dirty grout, clogged drains, or anything else a potential homebuyer may be turned off by. Clean out the drains, behind the toilet, underneath the countertops, and anywhere else prying eyes may investigate. If you have to, hire a professional cleaning service to visit your home once a week until your home is officially off the market.
Remove Personal Items
When it comes to home staging, less is more. You may love that quirky tooth brush holder, but a potential homebuyer may not. If you’re still living at home while your house is on the market, it may be difficult to hide all your personal care items. To make it easier, keep a plastic shower basket handy. When it’s time for an open house or private showing, place all toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, shampoo bottles, and medications into the plastic basket and hide them from view during a viewing. Not only are clear countertops and empty medicine cabinets less of a distraction, but it’ll give the buyer a chance to envision what the bathroom would look like with their own belongings.
Final Touches
Once you’ve upgraded, cleaned, and removed the personal items from your bathroom, it’s time for the finishing touches. A bathroom that looks and feels like a bed and breakfast can be very appealing to a visitor, and doesn’t take too much effort to accomplish. Place a couple scented candles in colors that match the rest of your bathroom on the countertops, or substitute candles with a vase of fresh flowers. Not only are the flowers visually appealing, but they’re a natural way to freshen the air in your bathroom. As you can see, it doesn’t take a lot of time, effort, or cash to transform your bathroom from a trivial space to eye-catching escape.