Listing a home in Austin is unlike any other city in Texas. From hip neighborhoods in 78704 to starter homes in Circle C to new construction in Mueller, buyers in Central Texas come expecting A LOT. Plus, with inventory constantly selling, moves need to happen fast!

Between hawk eyeing buyers and Central Texas weather that leaves your front porch layered with Live Oak tassels and Cedar pollen– it takes a lot more than a half-hearted vacuum to get your home show ready. Our limestone dust coats every imaginable surface of your home and let’s not even talk about the hard water spots found in almost every Austin hill country residence. We see it all.

We understand the Austin lifestyle is unlike anywhere else and want you to get that fully licensed offer at top dollar. That’s why we created this customized checklist just for Austin homes. Read below to see what you should clean, scrub and polish prior to your first Open House.

For Austinites, “home” doesn’t end at your front door. It goes on to the patio, the deck, and how many cabanas you have set up in your backyard. Since our climate is conducive to year-round entertaining, expect local buyers to judge you on your entryway and backyard first.

• Combat the “Yellow Coat”: Depending on what time of year you’re selling, your home will be covered in either yellow Cedar pollen dust or Oak tree tassels. Make sure to sweep your entry way every day and wipe down your front door.
• Pressure Wash Limestone & Concrete: No matter how good your entry looks, if you have a vintage Austin limestone patio or walkway it NEEDS to be power washed by a professional. That dark mildew and Texas red clay dirt easily lifts away to make that old patio look new again.
• Don’t Forget the “First Look” Rule: We all know curb appeal is everything. In Austin, curb appeal starts BEFORE your front door. If your porch looks like it hasn’t been touched since the last Hill Country wind storm, buyers will assume you didn’t take care of the interior either.

To sell a house, decluttering and depersonalization are key to creating a clean and welcoming space where buyers can envision themselves living in it.

Decluttering

We can make our home more inviting by removing excess items that make it look messy. Start by going through each room and getting rid of items you no longer use.

Busy areas like living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are good places to start. Here’s a quick checklist:

• Surface areas: Clear off countertops and tables.
• Closets: Most Austin houses have inadequate closet space, especially in older neighborhoods; clear out winter clothes you aren’t using to DOUBLE the appearance of your closet space.
• Additional Storage: Self-storage units can easily be rented in South Lamar, North Burnet, etc. on a temporary basis if you need more space.

Depersonalization

Depersonalization makes our home feel neutral so buyers can see themselves living there. Removing personal items is key in this step.

Here’s how we can achieve this:

• Personal items: Remove personal pictures and decorations. You want buyers to imagine their “Keep Austin Weird” signs hanging on your walls.
• Neutral decor: Paint your “Longhorn Orange” walls? Bright accent walls will probably need to be toned down with neutral colors that fit in with today’s trendy Austin home.

Cleaning is one of the easiest ways to prepare your home for a quick sale. At FIX Ready Homes, we want your buyers to feel welcomed as soon as they walk in the door. We spend our time cleaning the rooms that families use most throughout the house.

Kitchen

• Clear countertops to showcase that Texas-sized kitchen island you’ve been bragging about.
• Clean appliances inside and out, including oven and fridge.
• Wipe down cabinets and drawers.
• Scrub countertops and backsplashes, paying extra attention to hard water stains around the faucet.
• Clean the sink, including the faucet and handles.
• Sweep and mop the floor.

Bathrooms

• Clear everything off the counters and shelves.
• Disinfect surfaces; focus on the sink, faucets, and countertops.
• Scrub the soap scum and red clay water left in your tub.
• Check grout and clean tiles.
• Give mirrors a good shine to enhance Mother Nature’s Hill Country lighting.
• Clean the toilet inside and out.
• Add fresh towels to make it feel more welcoming.

Bedrooms

• Organize closets so everything is visible.
• Make your beds with fresh sheets and fluffy pillows. Ever notice how hotels in East Austin make their beds? Something like that.
• Clear and organize nightstands and dressers.
• Vacuum/sweep any oak/cedar particles that may have been tracked into your home.

Living Areas

• Push furniture against the walls to create more “flow”. Majority of Austin homes are used for indoor-outdoor entertaining.
• Clear off coffee tables and shelves.
• Dust everything (shelves, furniture).
• Vacuum or steam
• Check rugs for cleanliness and positioning.
• Clean the inside and outside of your windows. Let that Texas sunshine shine through.
• Sweep hardwood floors.

Check out our full deep cleaning list here. 

Did you know Central Texas is internationally known for its epic “Cedar Fever” and overwhelming pollen levels?! Did you also know that when you’re buying a house in Austin, clean means breathable?! Improving air quality is a gigantic benefit for most Austin families.

• HVAC Vents & Returns: Dust collects fast in Austin air duct work. Make sure all vent covers are wiped down clear of the grey fuzz allergen factories.
• Window Tracks & Sills: This gets WAYYYY dirtier in Austin than most people realize. Crack open a window and look at the track. Disgusting, right?! Take time to scrub these clean. It shows incredible attention to detail that will WOW your home inspector.
• Ceiling Fans: With our Central Texas summers reaching 100°F year round, fans are usually always on. Turn them off and wipe down the giant “dust beards” growing on each fan blade before they blast allergens into the air when you turn them on for a showing!

Carpet Cleaning

• Vacuum carpets, focusing on high-traffic areas.
• Spot treat stains to remove visible marks.
• Steam clean or hire a professional cleaning service for real estate agents.
• Replace carpets if they are stained or worn out.

Ask us about carpet deep cleaning/carpet extraction!

We know first impressions count when selling a home. Curb appeal can make a big difference in attracting buyers. This includes landscaping and exterior cleaning to create an inviting atmosphere.

Landscaping

• Mow, trim, and maintain shrubs and flower beds.
• Add seasonal color with plants.
• Weed your garden and remove dead plants.
• Mulch flower beds.
• Plant trees or larger shrubs to suit your space.

Exterior Cleaning

• Power wash exterior walls, driveway, and walkways to remove dirt, mold, and grime.
• Clean windows inside and out to brighten up the home.
• Clear gutters to give a tidy, cared-for look.
• Check and clean the front door area for a warm welcome.
• Add a new doormat or outdoor decor.

Before we list our home, we need to address any maintenance issues that will impact a sale. Fixing repairs and putting in upgrades will make a big difference to buyers and may even add value to the sale. Hard water spots on glass shower doors? If you live in one of Austin’s hard water territories, make sure your glass shower doors are etched for future calcium build up prevention. Believe it or not, clear glass doors make your bathroom look miles newer to home buyers.

Repairs

Find and fix all repairs that will make your home look messy, including:

• Dripping taps: Fix or replace them to prevent water damage.
• Chipped paint: Touch up worn areas.
• Broken tiles: Replace damaged tiles.

Upgrades

While fixing repairs, simple upgrades can make your home more attractive. Some effective upgrades include:

• Fresh paint: A new coat of neutral-colored paint can brighten a room and make it feel clean.
• New hardware: Upgrading cabinet knobs and handles will give kitchens and bathrooms a makeover.
• Landscaping tweaks: Trimming bushes and adding plants will improve curb appeal.

To sell our home quickly and attractively, we must create a warm welcome and make each room work. Here are the staging tips to help us show our house at its best.

Make It Feel Warm

• Clear surfaces and tidy spaces.
• Add fresh flowers or plants.
• Bake cookies or make coffee to get rid of smells.
• Add lamps to brighten up areas.
• Use only one or two wall art pieces per room for a clean, uncluttered look.

Stage Each Room

• Arrange furniture in the living room for a cozy conversation area.
• Remove unnecessary furniture to create a spacious and open feel.
• Place bed as a focal point in bedrooms with simple, tasteful bedding.
• Depersonalize kitchens with cleared countertops and simple essentials.
• Use neutral towels in bathrooms.

There are tons of different energies and vibes when you dive into the many unique neighborhoods Austin has to offer. That’s why we take the time to understand what each individual area needs to bring it back to sparkling clean. Whether you own a vintage fixer upper in 78704, a large family ranch in Circle C, a trendy townhome in Mueller, or even a high-rise condo with a view of The Domain, professional deep cleaning is one thing all of these homes have in common when it comes to selling.

No matter if you’re in Tarrytown or Pflugerville, Juany Cleaning Service will help you cut through the clutter of Austin real estate. We know what Austin buyers want to see—and where Texas dust loves to settle.

Contact us today to schedule a home cleaning, window cleaning, or power washing service, and let us help you get one step closer to selling your home! With a plan and confidence in what you’re doing, you can show your home how it is best and sell it smoothly.