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Realtor Tip of the Week | Think CLEAN

By Doug Francis

Annette Bening Real Estate American Beauty

Copyright Dreamworks - Permission Requested

If you are planning to sell your home anytime in the future then you should start cleaning right now. In the old days we used to say… give it a “white glove test” but most people under forty wouldn’t automatically understand that reference.

People want to buy clean homes!

It seems that many people miss this one point when they are putting their home in the market or feel that it is clean enough because “it’s gonna be cleaned when we move out”.

But here is my professional Realtor tip of the day… “clean enough” is too subjective. There is a classic scene in the movie American Beauty when Annette Bening, who plays the role of a real estate agent, scrubs down a house before her Sunday “open house” and gets a little of her frustration out of her system before becoming Realtor-charming again.

Although this movie scene always gets a laugh, anyone who is in the business knows that CLEAN sells.

Earlier this year I advised a client to clean up his 1950’s Vienna VA rambler, and it sold very quickly. When he first asked me about selling the home and I took a look at it, I knew that it had potential to sell if it was cleaned and painted. It took about $10,000 to get that place in shape but it got the result he was hoping for. And I get this type of question all the time from people who ask about selling their home which they may have lived in for decades.

Hey, this isn’t a Realtor tip just for Vienna or McLean VA homes!

A client inspired me today to write this post… because his 10 year-old town house really need that final cleaning before hitting the market. It is kind of like that final wipe-down that gets the dust, hair or marks off the wall. Often it is the newer homes that have the most dirt and dust around the edges, and it seems just as bad in homes priced at $300k or $1.2 million.

I often ask readers to switch hats for a minute, and now imagine that you are a home buyer looking at a dozen homes today. Aren’t you expecting to see homes that are in tip-top condition?

Mr Clean Magic Erasure Realtor TipHere is tip that a handy man gave me that has taken many marks off the walls, possibly ones in your house. Until you try the “Mr. CLEAN’s Magic Eraser” you aren’t going to believe that most of those marks on your walls really can disappear with this little white sponge that you picked up at Giant or Lowes for $3.47.

If you can think CLEAN before you put your home on the market for sale then you will have a much easier time finding a buyer for your home in a short amount of time. CLEAN pays for itself because it often involves only a little extra time, energy and care.

What do you use to take clean to the next level?

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Filed Under: Blog, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, real estate, Vienna Virginia

About Doug Francis

A seasoned Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug has seen consumer behavior, negotiations and communication styles change. At his original brokerage, he was the first agent to add an email address. Imagine! Outside real estate, he plays tennis, is a Washington Capitals fan, spends time with Skipper (his dog), and enjoys the restaurant scene in the DCA. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

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About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I'm licensed in Virginia with a focus on Vienna, VA real estate since 1991.

That deep knowledge is valuable, especially in today's fast-paced market where advice is critical. Although many of my clients are personally referred, I am available to help you too and am accepting new clients right now.

Feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
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