If you own a Branson rental apartment and are getting ready to put it on the market, there are several areas in any home that can be easy to overlook when doing the regular cleaning tasks. In order to get your unit show-ready, take the time and energy to get it in tip top shape. You want your potential tenants to see the Branson apartment for the sparkling gem that it can be so that you can ensure to get the most lucrative rental rate and a signed lease.

Listed below are the areas in your rental unit that you should not skip cleaning before putting it on the market .

Blinds

Blinds gather dust and splatter in a matter of days without anyone even realizing it. These things are a magnet for junk and grime in the air and gather everything. If they are not cleaned regularly, they will just continue to become worse and worse. The best way to make them like new is to use a brush attachment on your vacuum to remove the dust. You can also use a damp cloth with some cleaning solution on it, and using two of your fingers, swipe over each slat one by one.

Windowsills

If a cat or dog has been living inside the home, the pet may have jumped on the windowsills from time to time. If their paws are dirty, much of that can transfer to the sills. Sills are also a favorite place for small bugs, flies, cockroaches, and even butterflies to hide and they will sometimes die. Your windowsills need constant inspection to check for remnants from these critters. When it needs to be cleaned, use damp cloths with a cleaning solution of your choice. Spray a small amount of cleaning solution on the area and wipe it clean. Voila, your sills are clean!

Behind Nightstands & Beds

If you are marketing your rental property as a furnished unit, be sure to clean behind the nightstands and beds. Nightstands and beds are excellent absorbers of dust coming from the carpet. This is why a vacuum cleaner with extension rods and attachments will be an essential cleaning tool in the apartment. Vacuuming these areas can effectively remove the accumulating dust in a carpet, and eliminate the possibility of the dust spreading to many other things. This will require you to move your nightstands and get on your hands and knees to reach under your bed.

Doors

If you can imagine, so much dust and filth end up on the doors, floors and doormats of many homes. This usually occurs when the vents push air into the door, and dust is poured onto the mat. You need to keep an eye on your doors and clean them regularly from top to bottom. Doors that are used often like bathroom doors often need extra cleaning, especially around the doorknob areas where filth and smudge tend to accumulate.

Washing Machine

Have you ever heard anyone say to  "wash a washing machine"? Well, if you haven’t, walk to the machine and lift the lid and look at the crevices and lips. You will see some detergent build-up, little hairs, lint, etc. These are prime examples of something you may have never thought of cleaning, and now you wonder how you ever missed it. Taking the time to clean these areas will show your tenants that you are attentive even to the smaller issues.

Dryer sheets are a great tool to use to complete this task. If you don't have any on hand, a damp paper towel or cloth will work fine. You shouldn’t need any cleaning solution for this unless there are other stains that you may find it hard to remove. Now that you know this tip, you'll wonder how you ever missed it before. 

Beside & Under Appliances

The sides and under appliances are often spots that are skipped when cleaning, but if morsels and other food particles are stuck in these places, it can attract bugs and cockroaches and give you an even bigger problem. Cleaning these spots will make your rental unit cleaner and help it stay pest free.

Most appliances can easily be slid out to clean behind and under them, just make sure not to damage the floors when you do. Then, the best way of cleaning up these spaces is to vacuum, sweep, and mop the area. 

Backsplashes

If the kitchen area has backsplashes, inspect the backsplash carefully for splatter as it can easily occur when previous tenants have cooked and prepared food in the space before. Run your finger along the top edge of the backsplash tile edge; if that fingertip comes back a little bit black from dust and grease, that lets you know this is an area that was often overlooked during the household chores. As the kitchen is the place where your tenants will prepare their meals, you want to make sure the counters, backsplash and floors are extra clean in this room to give the best impression. 



Now that you know the spots that are frequently overlooked to be cleaned, add these to your inspection checklist of things to do before marketing your Branson apartment for rent.

Thousand Hills Realty is Branson’s premier property management company. If you have a Branson apartment or home you would like to rent out, we would love to discuss the opportunity to work for you, handling every aspect of the leasing process from start to finish.