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You walk into an old rundown store. The floors are dirty, the shelves dusty, and an unpleasant odor hangs in the air. Would you buy anything? Would you even linger long enough to glance? You’ve probably already made up your mind after your first impression: No, thanks.
Now imagine this: a bright, colorful store with shining clean floors and a fresh, clean aroma. You’d probably be more comfortable, more impressed and even more likely to buy something. This analogy directly relates to your home when you are attempting to sell. Dirty and smelly carpets can have an equally off-putting effect on prospective buyers, costing you thousands in resale value and dragging out the sales process.
Key Takeaways
Dirty carpets can lower perceived home value by up to 10%. That means If your home is valued at $400,000, just from having poorly maintained carpets, it would drop it the value down $40,000.
Homes with clean carpets sell for 2–5% more and 40% faster.
Carpet cleaning costs $150–$300, compared to $2000–$5,000 for replacing carpets.
Spend $150-300 for carpet cleaning and increase home value by up to $10,000 because of good first impressions.
Dirty Carpets Lower Home Value
A recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) study found that 85% of home buyers consider flooring that is clean and well-maintained when making a purchasing decision. Stained carpets reduce the value of your home by as much as 10% in high traffic areas.
If your home is worth, say, $400,000 that’s a $40,000 potential loss from poorly maintained carpets!
The Benefits of Regularly Cleaning Your Carpet Resale Value
Spotless carpets make for a good first impression, indicating the home has been well maintained for potential buyers.
Faster Sales: A HomeLight survey found that clean homes sell 40% faster, saving you time, stress, and money.
Buyers Notice Dirty Carpets
A personal study done by my own business Breeze Carpet Cleaning talking with real estate agents and home buyers found that 70% of buyers notice carpet condition during their initial showing, and 60% say dirty carpets are an immediate turn-off. The flooring is among the first things that buyers notice. Plus, the dirty carpets can have them wondering about the overall condition of the house.
The Hidden Damage of Ignoring Carpet Cleaning
Let’s break down the numbers:
Replacement Costs: Cost to replace carpets ahead of selling will be $1,500–$5,000 for a standard 3-bedroom home.
Carpet cleaning: The average cost of professional carpet cleaning is $140 for a standard 3-bedroom home. It’s much cheaper and just as effective. Use our free cost calculator here.
If professional cleaning can bring you more value for your home while saving you thousands, it’s an all-around solution.
Tips for Maintaining Carpets Before Selling- Tips from the owner of a carpet cleaning business.
Clean Regularly: Schedule professional cleanings annually or more often if you have pets or heavy foot traffic.
Treat Stains Immediately: Don’t let spills set. You can also ask your carpet cleaner to apply carpet protectant.
Use Rugs for High-Traffic Areas: Protect areas like hallways and entryways with removable rugs.
Deodorize: Remove lingering pet or smoke odors to create a fresh-smelling environment.
Final Thoughts
Carpet cleaning is good home hygiene. Neglecting to do so will hurt you in the long run costing you thousands in lost home value and make it harder to sell your home. A small investment in professional cleaning can leave your carpets looking great, your home smelling fresh, and buyers ready to make an offer.
Don’t let dirty carpets cost you the sale! If you are in Utah County. Please consider hiring us to take care of your carpets. Visit us at ww.breezecleaningusa.com.
Feel free to quote or link to this article to help others make informed decisions about carpet cleaning and its impact on home value!
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