Home owners are losing their property at an increasing rate.
Since 2006, economic upheavals in the mortgage lending market have led to a marked increase in the amount of loan foreclosures. Individuals who lose their home often are left emotionally devastated, dispirited and angry, and that sometimes leads to neglect or intentional damage to a property. Cleaning foreclosed properties for banks and other agencies can be the foundation of a lucrative cleaning business.
Instructions
1. To attract buyers a home should be well maintained.
Contact banks and property management companies to present your house cleaning services. Provide a list of fees and the services offered. Note if you do exterior yard maintenance, pool cleaning, carpet cleaning, window washing and minor repairs. Advise if you will winterize the plumbing, board up windows or haul away abandoned vehicles or furniture.
2. Inspect the property and provide the client with a complete list of services required to return the home to marketable condition. Banks require that the home be presented in the best possible condition to attract a buyer. Offer initial cleaning services, trash removal, minor repairs, preservation and scheduled maintenance services.
3. Clean the outside of the home. The exterior appearance is the first impression a buyer receives when viewing a property. Sweep sidewalks, patios and driveway. Remove garbage, leaves and debris to make the home appear neat and tidy.
4. Clean windows showcase marketable views.
Wash all windows. Clean, sparkling in plenty of light to show off the home's best features. Use a pressure washer or garden hose with a pressure nozzle for exterior panes. Scrub off dirt and cobwebs with soap and water and rinse well. Wash interior windows with a solution of 1/4 household white vinegar to 2 quarts of warm water. Shine with paper towels or a soft, lint-free cloth.
5. Use the right cleaning tools to make the work go quickly.
Vacuum all carpets, drapes and dusty surfaces. Shampoo carpets if required. Mop and wax floors. Clean all appliances including the dishwasher, stove top, oven, refrigerator and freezers. Polish surfaces to remove all smudges or fingerprints. Scrub toilets, shower stalls, bathtubs, sinks and counter tops. Polish mirrors and hard surfaces. Empty fireplace ashes and clean brick or stone with a brush and vacuum cleaner. Open windows and allow fresh air to circulate.
6. Pay attention to small details, cleaning ceiling fans, light fixtures, base boards and cupboards. Do a thorough job. Ask your client to inspect the property and provide a recommendation of your work. Referrals will build your business.
Tags: cleaning services, minor repairs, property provide, windows allow