If you are selling your home and are also living in it, I don’t envy you. Being ready constantly for home buyers to walk through your home is hard enough. But in this real estate market with every potential home buyer wanting to negotiate the best price, the pressure is definitely on you, the home seller to offer that special something in your home that no other house has, that the bank owned property down the street cannot offer. And in light of that, I have compiled a list of products I believe could make your life easier during this transitory phase. By making it easy to keep your home looking and smelling great, these products may get your home sold faster and easier while keeping you sane!

Pledge Pet Hair Remover

We all love our pets. But especially in the summer months (which is when most homes go on the market) we know they like to shed their fur. Dogs, cats – they all do it. And the fur sticks to everything. We can probably live with it, but when you’re having potential homebuyers come through the home in hopes of plunking down hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy it, pet hair is a strict no-no. But they aren’t going to buy the couch, you say. Nevertheless. Any dirt, dust, garbage and yes, pet hair should be removed. It is only a distraction from the home and ruins first impressions.

So what do you do? Get one of these Pledge Pat Hair Removers. Yes, it’s a little pricey – about $14 for one. And it’s disposable. But it lasts a long time and really picks up pet hair from couches and curtains. I’ve tested it! Forget the lint rollers. Get this. You’ll be glad you did.

Glade Plug-In Fragrances

Every home has a smell but because we live in it, we don’t smell it any more. Sometimes I have walked into people’s homes that smell of pets, the food cooked in it (especially fish) and yes, even garbage. If your home is on the market, it’s especially important to take the garbage out two or even three times a day.

But beyond that for that extra boost of warmth and comfort, you can get a Glade plug-in fragrance. Plug it close to the entrance so that is the first thing your potential home buyers smell as they walk in to the home. Pick one that smells like cookies as opposed to one that smells like flowers. Research shows that the smell of home baked cookies makes people happy and brings back memories of childhood warmth.

Swiffer Duster

This is just a personal favorite. One of the best things a home can showcase that home buyers are immediately attracted to are appliances and electrical fixtures like fans, lamps and so on. Most home stagers and interior designers suggest that if you want to make a home look more expensive and grand it is a good idea to use high end fixtures because it catches the eye of anyone who walks through the home.

High end fixtures are a very good idea. However, if they are covered in dust, it detracts from the value of the home. And in this regard, the value of a Swiffer duster is priceless. Especially use it on ceiling fans. Don’t think your home buyers won’t look up! And nothing takes away from a beautiful fan like a layer of dust on the edges!

Swiffer Sweeper / Vacuum Cleaner

This should go without saying. I know, I hate sweeping too. But if your home is on the market, a Swiffer sweeper makes a huge difference if you have hardwood floors. I remember the first time I bought one of these and used them in my first house. My husband claimed we had reached a new level of clean. It was true. You can’t really see the dust on the floor but if you run the sweeper you will pick it up!

Of course, if you have carpet, you want to get it professionally steam cleaned and then vacuum clean every single day. Smells can get trapped in the carpet and hang in the air inside a home. You do not want any bad odors reaching your potential home buyers!

Vinegar (any brand)

Speaking of odors, in my opinion, nothing gets rid of smells like plain white vinegar. It’s also extremely cheap, which is always a plus. Just get some white vinegar on a paper towel and clean the kitchen counters with it every day. That will keep your home smelling great and clean. Don’t worry – the sour smell of the vinegar itself dissolves and doesn’t last in the air. Also, if you’re concerned about other smells in the air, you can pour some vinegar in a bowl and keep in open in the kitchen. This goes a long way in neutralizing odors in the air. Try it. It really works!

Hopefully, I’ve convinced you how important it is to keep a sparkling home when you have potential home buyers walk through the house. Again, remember this is part of a top five series. Keep a look out for more top fives!

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