West Michigan Real Estate

Why You Should Get That Carpet Cleaned Before Putting Your Home on the Market?

Making the decision to move is often a difficult one. Not only do you have to deal with the emotional side of things and make preparations for life in a new location, but if you’re a homeowner, you’re likely going to need to sell your home. And even when buyer demand is high, selling your home quickly at a price you’re happy with is no easy feat. Whether you’re showing your home virtually or in person, you need to make a great first impression on buyers.

Decluttering, curb appeal, and renovations get a lot of attention when it comes to getting a home ready to sell (and rightfully so). But there’s another aspect that you don’t want to overlook when prepping your home: the condition of your carpet. Clean carpet can quickly woo buyers while dirty carpet can turn them off faster than you can say “stain.” That’s why we at Michigan Homes and Cottages have put together this information to explain why professional carpet cleaning is essential to the home selling process.

Bringing in a Professional

Regular vacuuming and cleaning are essential as a homeowner. But oftentimes, it’s not enough. There are simply too many things that can spill and too many underlying issues that you may not be able to see. If your carpet has stains, dirt, and/or odors that you can’t get rid of, you should consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service before putting your home on the market.

A qualified professional will be able to get to the bottom of whatever’s going on and figure out how to clean almost any type of stains and odors you can think of. Remember—they do this every day, and the issues with your carpet are likely ones they’ve seen many times before. A typical carpet cleaning will cost $120 to $230. Before you hire a carpet cleaner, verify that they are insured, and ask them what you can expect from the process, such as what cleaning methods they use and how long the job will take.

Health Concerns

More times than not, a stain or odor in the carpet suggests that there is something deeper going on. Allergens like dirt and dust are hard to see, but they can negatively impact your home’s air quality. Expect potential buyers to consider that, especially if they have allergies or asthma.

Appearance

Looks matter when it comes to selling a home. After all, would stain-filled carpet inspire you to sign the dotted line for a house? While doing regular maintenance and cleaning yourself can help remove surface stains, a professional can clean every fiber of the carpet, resulting in carpeting that looks brand new.

Smells

The odors that come with dirty carpet can be just as bothersome to buyers as the looks. Chances are your stained carpet has some funky smells (hello pet urine!), even if you can’t detect them because you’re used to them.

Moving In

Last but not least, having your carpet cleaned means one less thing for potential buyers to worry about if they purchase your home. And you can trust that they will pick up on that. There are enough things to deal with when buying a home, so having fresh carpet will help the process go more smoothly for potential buyers.

If you’re planning to sell your home, getting your carpet professionally cleaned should be a priority. Along with enhancing aesthetic appeal, it also makes for a healthier living environment. And buyers will appreciate that it’s something they won’t have to deal with if they choose to purchase your home. Along with working with a top-notch real estate time like Michigan Homes and Cottages, make the decision easy for potential buyers by bringing a professional in to make your carpet like new.

If you need help selling or buying a home, look no further than Michigan Homes and Cottages. Give us a call today! (616) 594-0749

Simple Advice for Making a Home Office that Meets Your Needs

Image via Unsplash

Erin Reynolds of diymama.net | erin@diymama.net

Simple Advice for Making a Home Office that Meets Your Needs

Whether you are telecommuting for a company, running a home-based business, or picking up freelance gigs on the side, it’s essential to have a workspace that meets your everyday needs. Otherwise, it can be even harder than normal to stay focused and productive. The resources and advice below can help you decide where to put a home office, what equipment and tools to include, and how to make the space your own.

Where to Put It

The location of your home office is critical, so think strategically about where you put it.

• First of all, if your current home doesn’t offer the amount of space necessary for a good home office, consider contacting a real estate team like Michigan Homes and Cottages.
• Putting your home office in a garage or a basement is a great option because it provides adequate separation from the primary living areas of your home, which can help to minimize distractions.
• A spare bedroom can also serve as a great home office, provided that it has a door.

• Wherever you put your office, make sure that it provides access to natural light, which can boost productivity and yield numerous health benefits.
• You will also want to ensure that the location of your office provides ample space for your equipment and furniture so that you can work comfortably.

How to Equip It

Having the right equipment and tools will go a long way in helping you work successfully.

• Be sure to get a comfortable, supportive office chair.
• Invest in a desk that provides you with plenty of surface to work on and that fits any equipment and storage necessary.
• Research the plethora of remote work tools that can help you do your job effectively each day.
• And utilize any technology and protocols necessary to keep yours and your customers’/clients’ data safe.

How to Make It Yours

Making the space your own will help you to stay motivated on a regular basis.

• Choose a color for your office walls that helps you to concentrate and stay calm.
• Put up artwork that inspires you to be creative and productive, whether it’s classic prints or your children’s drawings.
• Incorporate decorative storage, light fixtures, and other items that help your space stand out.
• And if you will have customers or clients in and out of the office, make sure there is furniture and amenities to accommodate them.

Whatever kind of work you do from home, make sure that you have a dedicated workspace. Along with considering the resources and advice above, be sure to invest the time, energy, and money necessary to make your home office a reality. That way, you can set yourself up for long-term success in your venture.