Preparing for that open House–Tips for Cleaning the Garage

Posted by: Maureen Hayes Rossi
Posted on: Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 6:06 am
Categories: Curb Appeal, Home Selling, Curb Appeal, Home Selling, Curb Appeal, Jamaica Plain, Home Selling, Uncategorized

“Honey, the garage needs to be straightened out for the open house next weekend!”

O.K., so what does “Honey” do now?

For folks selling their property, a scenario like this one and the question of how to prepare the whole property for showing (including the garage if you have one) is common.  Often, homeowners use their garage for additional storage so cleaning it up and preparing it for a public showing can indeed be a huge undertaking.

Let’s break it down into manageable steps.

Take out the car, lawn mowers, bikes, assorted sports equipment, gardening tools, snow implements, etc.

  1. Sweep the floor, wash the windows.  Decide on the items returning to the space. Before refilling put items into 3 piles:
    • return to garage or shed items that you will keep
    • give away/return to “real” owner
    • sell or consignment shop.

Will you be purchasing or making storage shelves or bins?

Organize items returning to the space that are similar, sports together, tools on another wall, etc.  If you are moving this is the opportunity to box and label. 

Well done!

Now, step back and decide if the exterior needs attention.  Do the gutters need to be cleaned and have leaves removed? The doors working properly, hinges oiled, does the outside need a paint job or touch up?  Provided you have followed these steps, you have now taken care of a very valuable asset to your property–and are ready to showcase it to he world….

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2 Responses to “Preparing for that open House–Tips for Cleaning the Garage”

  1. Tim on June 1st, 2007 9:32 am

    If I ever buy a house with a garage I will know exactly what to look for. Great artcile….thanks

  2. maureen rossi on June 1st, 2007 12:25 pm

    Tim,
    You can practice organizing mine, anytime!

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