Clean Homes Catch a Buyer's Eyes, Survey Says; SDA Offers Cleaning Tips for Adding Value to Home Sale.Business Editors WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2003 A clean home may have the biggest influence on the first impressions of a potential home buyer, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. new consumer research. When asked what makes the biggest impact when walking into a home for the first time, respondents ranked the property's cleanliness Cleanliness See also Orderliness. Cleverness (See CUNNING.) Berchta unkempt herself, demands cleanliness from others, especially children. [Ger. Folklore: Leach, 137] cat continually “washes” itself. at the top, with 51% of the vote. The independent survey of 1,000 Americans, commissioned by The Soap and Detergent detergent (dētûr`jənt, dĭ–), substance that aids in the removal of dirt. Detergents act mainly on the oily films that trap dirt particles. Association (SDA SDA abbr. specific dynamic action Serotonin dopamine antagonist (SDA) The newer second-generation antipsychotic drugs, also called atypical antipsychotics. - www.cleaning101.com), ranked cleanliness as more important than scents/odors (22%), style of decor (13%), furnishings furnishings the extra type or quantity of hair on the head, tail, ears or legs, specified for a particular breed. For example, the feathers in setters, the beard in Bearded collies, the eyebrows in Schnauzers. (6%) and the home's architecture (1%) as to what makes the most positive impact on a potential buyer. "Home buyers notice clean homes," said Brian Sansoni, Vice President of Communication for SDA, which examines cleaning habits and behaviors through its National Cleaning Surveys. "During this season of brisk home sales, sellers shouldn't underestimate the value of a clean, clutter-free home." "A home that is thoroughly cleaned will give buyers confidence that you have taken pride in your home," said top-producing real estate broker and syndicated columnist Inc.com defines a syndicated columnist as, "[A] person hired by publications or broadcast organizations to produce written or spoken commentary about specific feature subjects. Dian Hymer, author of House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook work·book n. 1. A booklet containing problems and exercises that a student may work directly on the pages. 2. A manual containing operating instructions, as for an appliance or machine. 3. for Home Buyers and Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyers Guide. "The main reason to clean is because buyers will pay more for a house that they feel has been well maintained." Keep Clutter Under Control In the same survey, people were asked, which one part of the house sellers should keep clean to make someone more likely to buy their home. Overwhelmingly, respondents said the kitchen (46%) was the most important room to keep clean. Other top answers included the whole house (12%), the living room (12%), the bathrooms (12%), the front facade (8%) and the family room (4%). "Smart sellers will keep clutter under control," said SDA's Sansoni. "That way, if an unexpected buyer drops in, the property will be ready to show." Clear off the kitchen and bathroom countertops, SDA advises, and sort and store non-essentials in storage containers. Wipe all surfaces clean. In the kitchen, keep out only those appliances that are used every few days. "Don't let newspapers and mail pile up," Sansoni added. "Sort through them every day; file away what you need and discard what you don't need. Consider placing a few baskets in strategic locations around the house. When the real estate agent calls, everyday clutter can be quickly scooped up into the baskets and hidden away. And get into the habit of making a nightly sweep just before bedtime bedtime Sleep disorders The time when one attempts to fall asleep–as distinguished from the time when one gets into bed ." Additional Info Online at www.cleaning101.com For the benefit of home sellers, the SDA's website, www.cleaning101.com, offers cleaning tips from room to room, as well as advice in choosing the right cleaning products and their safe usage. Some SDA additional cleaning tips for home sellers include: -- Say "I Do Windows." Let buyers see your house in the best light! Don't forget to clean the windows and your window treatments to let the sun shine in bright. -- Stock Up on Right Products. Be sure to use the right products to ensure your cleaning is done most effectively. SDA recommends that at the very least, you have all-purpose cleaners for the bathroom and kitchen, as well as specialty products for your floors, furniture, appliances and windows. -- Great Smells - A Powerful In-"scent"-ive. SDA's survey shows that only 1/3 of potential home sellers actually clean their homes to ensure their house smells fresh. Consider choosing cleaning products that offer natural or exotic scents, to help deodorize de·o·dor·ize v. To mask or neutralize the odor of. de·o  dor·i·za and make your home smell great. -- Fighting Grease grease, mixture of lubricant and thickener. It is used to reduce friction between surfaces from which oils would leak away or cause damage by dripping, or where lubrication must be assured for extended periods. Many greases are mixtures of mineral oil and soap. , Mold and Mildew mildew, name for certain fungi and protists, for the diseases they cause in various crops, and for the discoloration (and sometimes the weakening and disintegration) they cause in such materials as leather, fabrics, and paper. : For extra cleaning power, use an abrasive abrasive, material used to grind, smooth, cut, or polish another substance. Natural abrasives include sand, pumice, corundum, and ground quartz. Carborundum (silicon carbide) and alumina (aluminum oxide) are important synthetically produced abrasives. cleanser to remove grease residue in sinks, being careful to avoid using them on surfaces that are easily scratched. Liquid bleach Noun 1. liquid bleach - a solution containing bleaching agents; used for laundry solution - a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution; "he used a solution of peroxide and water" is most effective at removing mold and mildew from bathtubs and showers. -- Wipes = Time Savers. For everyday touch-up cleaning, keep a selection of cleaning wipes handy near the kitchen sink, ovens, toilet bowls, showers and other odiferous areas of your home. Also useful are cleaning cloths, dust mitts or furniture wipes for dusting and furniture touch-ups. And ask all the members of your household to pitch in, to help share the workload of selling your property for maximum value. For additional cleaning tips to help get your home, apartment or condo buyer-ready, visit SDA's website at www.cleaning101.com. House For Sale: Tips for Getting It Buyer-Ready: www.cleaning101.com/house/clean/sale.html Away With Clutter: www.cleaning101.com/house/clean/clutter.html "Keep It Clean" Briefs -- Quick Cleanup Tips for Home Sellers: http://www.cleaning101.com/house/clean/briefs.html The independent consumer research was completed for SDA by International Communications Research (ICR (Intelligent Character Recognition or Image Character Recognition) The machine recognition of hand-printed characters as well as machine printing that is difficult to recognize. ). ICR questioned 1,000 American women and men regarding their cleaning attitudes. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus five percent. The Soap and Detergent Association (www.cleaning101.com) is the non-profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products; their ingredients; and finished packaging. SDA members produce more than 90% of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. The SDA is located at 1500 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion