## How to Stage a House for Sale
Staging is a method of preparing your home for sale. Its purpose is to increase your home’s value in buyers’ minds by enhancing the property’s best assets. Below, learn the four main components of [staging a home](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/staging-home.asp) before selling it. 
### 1. Clean Before Buyers Show 
Your first step is to ensure that buyers are entering a clean environment during your open house. If not, it can downgrade the property itself and deter buyers. 

Potential buyers want to feel like they are being thought of prior to moving in. If they feel welcomed by a clean atmosphere, there is a higher likelihood of them placing an offer on your old home. 

**You’ll want to pay extra attention to these areas in the home when cleaning:**

- Ceiling fans
- Lighting fixtures
- Windows and window sills
- Floors and baseboards 
- Toilets, showers, and sinks 
- Closets 
- Inside drawers and cabinets 
- Oven and refrigerator 
- Garage, if applicable 
- Backyard patio, if applicable 
- Front yard and/or doorway path  

These are the most commonly inspected areas of any home on the market. Ensuring they’re in top condition will boost your chances of selling your home quickly. Not only are buyers looking to see how you managed your home when you were living in it but also as you’re moving out. 

Hiring a professional cleaner to thoroughly clean your home will ensure that you’re showcasing a ready-to-move-in space. They will have the necessary skills to effectively and efficiently clean your home. You’ll also be able to save time and focus on moving into your new home rather than taking care of your old place.
### 2. Focus on Lighting 

![lighting and decor (2).jpg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/lighting_and_decor_2_7490819dbc.jpg)

When staging your home for sale, lighting is essential. Bright lighting wins over synthetic lighting every time. The best way to [optimize your lighting](https://chicagolandhomestaging.com/home-staging-lighting/) during staging is to: 

- Keep windows from being covered 
- Use lighter-colored furniture to accentuate the clean feel of your home
- Use mirrors to your advantage by placing them in line with your lighting fixtures 
- Change your light bulbs to a whiter bulb 
- If feasible, try purchasing glass or acrylic coffee tables to open your space 
- Keep your walls white or a lighter shade of your choice color 
### 3. Declutter 
A staged home is typically accompanied by basic furniture like living room seating, beds, and a table and chairs. Feel free to decorate to give the home a sense of character, but try not to overdo the décor.  

You want the space to feel decorated enough to be inviting, but think less is more. The buyer should be able to see enough of the home that they envision themselves living there. That said, the décor itself should be simple and understated as you’ll likely take it with you when you move. 
### 4. Complete Final Touches
Before completing your staging process, make sure to add some extra details. Fresh flowers may be an additional expense, but they make a huge difference compared to faux bouquets. 

The point of the staging process is to show potential buyers that you care for your property. This will make them more inclined to reciprocate those sentiments — thus, increasing the possibility of them placing an offer on your home. 

Additionally, as people are walking through your open house, consider opening the windows if the weather permits. Fresh air can calm anxious new home buyers and make them feel more welcomed. It also helps to make the home seem more open. 
## The Benefits of Cleaning a Home Before Selling
A critical step of the selling process is cleaning before you leave. The chances of someone purchasing a dirty home are very slim if it’s deemed contaminated from an outside perspective. Cleaning your home before selling it can come with a few key benefits. Understanding these benefits will aid you in selling your home faster. 

![Do I Need to Hire a Cleaner When Selling a House.jpg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/Do_I_Need_to_Hire_a_Cleaner_When_Selling_a_House_731ad917b3.jpg)

### Enhances Property Value 
One benefit of cleaning your home as you’re selling it is that it’ll enhance your property value. A clean space offers much more to look at; potential buyers are more likely to linger and imagine themselves building their next journey in your old home.

In addition, cleaning prior to selling will allow you to spot minor damages. Before you place your home on the market, make sure that all repairs are completed. While some buyers may want a “fixer-upper,” not all that walk through your home will want to purchase a space they have to fix themselves.   
### Leaves the Home Spotless
Cleaning your old home will leave the space in mint condition. Through the selling process, you’ll likely have strangers coming and going to view the property, causing dirt to be tracked inside and dust to accumulate. For this reason, you’ll want to clean and tidy up the space as needed so that each potential buyer has a positive experience.  
### Allows You to Sell Faster 
Cleaning your home consistently during the selling process will enhance your likelihood of selling your home faster. This is because potential buyers feel like they are essentially ready to move in with a clean environment. 
## Why You Should Hire a Cleaner for a Pre-Sale Home Cleaning
Cleaning your own property during the selling process can be a bit overwhelming. [Hiring a professional cleaner](https://www.moveout.com/blog/articles/is-move-out-cleaning-worth-it) will be more effective than you tackling the task on your own. Not only will this help you save time, but it is also cost-effective. 

Cleaning professionals have the necessary training and skill sets to complete a move-out clean with ease. If you choose to do the cleaning yourself, you may wind up missing areas of the home that need attention, purchasing the wrong cleaning agents, or taking up time that could be spent settling into your new home. 

![selling your house.jpg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/selling_your_house_484d682f1b.jpg)

## Hire a Professional Move-Out Cleaner 
Looking for a cleaner to help you manage your move-out clean? 

At [Moveout.com](https://www.moveout.com), we can connect you with a reliable, vetted, and professional cleaner in your area. Our goal is to eliminate all the stress and heavy lifting that comes with conducting a final cleaning in your old home. Focus on moving into your new home and settling in while a cleaner ensures you’re leaving your old home in good condition.

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Selling a home doesn’t have to be a huge endeavor. Hiring a professional move-out cleaner will lessen your responsibilities and alleviate the worry that not everything will be accomplished before you move into your new space. The following will walk you through what it takes to stage a home for sale and best practices to be mindful of when cleaning.

Do I Need to Hire a Cleaner When Selling a House?

## Should You Sell or Donate Old Furniture Before Moving Out?
Selling furniture and earning some money may seem like the easiest solution to getting rid of used furniture. But it actually can be tedious and time-consuming. 

**It will mean the following:** 

- You have to deal with selling online which includes taking pictures, posting online, answering questions, discussing prices back and forth, and meeting buyers
- You may have to deal with buyers canceling last minute 
- The entire selling process may take hours or even days

To make matters worse, selling used furniture online generally does not produce the returns that sellers hope for. Although selling your gently used furniture may not make a big difference in your budget, it can make a significant impact on nonprofit organizations. 

Donating furniture that no longer holds value to you can be extremely valuable to families or individuals in need. Say you upgraded to a bigger mattress and no longer need your bed frame that’s still in good condition. The too-small bed frame, and even your former mattress, will likely be especially useful for someone trying to pinch pennies. 

Keep in mind that when doing a furniture donation pick-up, it’s important to save donation receipts and itemized lists for tax purposes. Donating your furniture to an accredited nonprofit organization is a tax-saving strategy, meaning you may be able to write it off on your income tax return. 
## Top 7 Organizations With Furniture Donation Pick-Up Services  
Donation is one of the most convenient and sustainable ways to take care of your old furniture. Best yet, most organizations will pick up your used furniture for free and help find it a new home. 

Here are some of the best places to donate your gently used household items: 
### 1. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the longest-running non-profit organizations, founded in 1865. When planning to donate your used furniture, [The Salvation Army](https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/) may be one of the most convenient options, as there are more than 130 locations in the U.S. 

On its website, the organization makes it easy to find a drop-off location or schedule a free furniture pick-up. All you have to do is input your ZIP code and provide a few details about what you’d like to donate. 

Your donation to The Salvation Army may go toward: 

- Disaster relief
- Holiday giving
- Rehabilitation centers
- Homeless shelters
- Victims of domestic violence
- Veteran services
### 2. Goodwill 
Another well-known charity donation center is Goodwill. It has more than 150 community organizations across the U.S., Canada, and 12 other countries. You can find out if a Goodwill pickup donation is available in your area by contacting your [local donation center](https://www.goodwill.org/locator/). 

Most Goodwill locations offer pickup for old furniture and other large items. The organization then raises money for their community-based programs by selling your donated furniture in stores or online.

**Your Goodwill donation may go toward:**
 
- Job placement and training programs 
- Online classes
- Combatting unemployment

![goodwill donation center (1).jpg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/goodwill_donation_center_1_8fc5af217d.jpg)

### 3. Habitat for Humanity 
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve affordable housing. Part of its mission is to create a better and more stable community worldwide. To fund its efforts, the organization sells donated items in-store across all 50 states and in 70 international countries. 

[Habitat for Humanity](https://www.habitat.org/stories/does-habitat-offer-furniture-donation-pickup) offers free donation pickup for furniture donations, as well as other large items. By entering your zip code online, you can find your nearest Habitat for Humanity store. You’ll then be directed to a page that matches your location to schedule your free donation pickup.  

**Your Habitat for Humanity donation may go toward:** 

- Families in need of a place to live
- Funds for building and repairing homes
4. Arc Donations
The Arc supports and serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 1950, the organization has helped facilitate research, served as an advocate, and fostered the development of key skills among these individuals.

[The Arc](https://thearc.org/get-involved/ways-give/donate-physical-items/) funds its efforts through 600 and counting local chapters throughout the U.S. Through its website, you can find out if your local chapter offers free furniture donation pickup. 
### 5. Furniture Bank Network
The Furniture Bank Network is a collection of charitable donation centers that help individuals who can’t afford to furnish their homes. 

Visit their website to [find a furniture bank location](https://furniturebanks.org/furniture-banks/) near you, and call to schedule a furniture donation pick-up. Keep in mind that not all furniture bank locations offer free pick-ups; some will charge a small fee. 

**Your furniture bank donation may go toward:**

- Formerly homeless individuals
- Women and children escaping domestic violence
- Immigrants
- Unemployed individuals
### 6. GreenDrop
GreenDrop partners with some of the most well-known charities, including the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation. 

Through these partnerships, GreenDrop professionally fundraises by selling your donations to area thrift stores. In 2021 alone, Greendrop raised over [$4.2 million](https://upliftloudoun.com/greendrop-opens-donation-center-in-aldie/) for various nonprofit organizations. 

To schedule a donation pick-up, visit the [GreenDrop](https://www.gogreendrop.com/) website and enter your name, phone number, and zip code.

![moving furniture (1).jpg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/moving_furniture_1_7cafa55382.jpg)

### 7. AMVETS
The AMVETS National Service Foundation has served U.S. veterans and their families since 1948. The organization has physical stores in 22 U.S. states, and most are available for donation pickups. 

To [schedule a furniture donation pickup](http://amvetsdonationpickup.com/schedule-a-pickup.html), fill out the online form on the AMVETS website. If your items are eligible for pickup, it’s recommended to put everything in boxes, mark them for AMVETS, and leave them outside your door by 7:30 AM on the selected pickup day. 

**Your AMVETS donation may go toward:**

- Community outreach programs 
- Job training courses 
- U.S. veterans, as well as active-duty servicemen and women 
## Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Used Furniture
### Who will pick up furniture donations for free? 
In many cases, charities such as The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Habitat for Humanity offer furniture pick-up donations free of charge. If none of these non-profit organizations are in your area, you can check with your local civic or church groups as they may have furniture bank services. 
### How do I schedule a donation pick-up? 
All of the organizations above have websites where you can enter your zip or postal code to find your local charity donation center or phone number to use to schedule your pick-up donation service. 
### What condition do my items need to be in for donations? 
Typically, charities will accept new and “gently used” items. This means furniture that’s in good condition, presentable, and clean will be used for resale. It is not recommended to donate items that are missing parts, not working properly, or ripped. 
## Pack, Donate, and Move Out With Ease
Decluttering and packing take up a ton of time and energy. Fortunately, many charities will happily take unwanted furniture and other large items off your hands. You can make an appointment for free pickup donations through the non-profit organizations mentioned above. This is especially helpful if you wish to have a fresh start in your new home.

To best simplify your move-out process, you can also schedule move-out or move-in cleaning ahead of time through [Moveout.com](http://moveout.com). 

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Moving to a new home is an excellent time to update your furniture, but what should you do with your used items? Selling them is an option, but a trouble-free and sustainable route is to donate your old furniture to charities. If you’re not sure where to donate used furniture near you, check out the 7 top organizations you can choose from to schedule your free donation pickup.

Where to Donate Furniture Before Moving Out

## Is the Tenant or Landlord Responsible for Mold?
Mold can be the result of negligence from the tenant or the landlord. At the end of the day, the responsibility and liability of mold in a property falls on the person whose actions, or lack thereof, led to the growth of the mold.

As a tenant, you are responsible to maintain your rental unit and uphold a certain standard of cleanliness. If mold is the result of your own behavior, the responsibility is yours. 

Likewise, landlords are responsible, in most states, for maintaining housing for tenants and repairing rental properties through actions such as fixing leaks whether they be in pipes, windows, or roofs. Landlords are expected to ensure a standard of habitability for their tenants. If the mold is the result of a landlord’s negligence, the responsibility is theirs. 
### Is My Landlord Responsible for Mold Testing?
Whether or not your landlord is responsible for mold testing in your rental property will rely on three main factors:

- Whether or not the tenant or the landlord was responsible for the mold growth.
- Whether or not the tenant promptly and properly notified the landlord of the mold.
- Whether or not the landlord provided an appropriate and timely response to the problem once notified. 

Aside from these three main factors, overall responsibilities and necessary courses of action will depend on your specific state’s tenant-landlord regulations and requirements. To correctly allocate the responsibility of mold testing, be sure to educate yourself on your state’s specific rental-related regulations. 
### Who Pays for Mold Remediation?
Similar to how the allocation of mold testing responsibility relies on circumstances, the financial responsibility also follows the one whose negligence caused the mold — whether it be the messy tenant who didn’t uphold a standard of cleanliness or the landlord who failed to tend to leaks. 

Some landlords may be curious whether or not their landlord insurance will cover mold removal, repair, or remediation. Likewise, some renters may wonder whether or not mold is covered by their renters insurance. 

In both instances, the circumstances will completely influence whether your insurance coverage will help with any damage that may have occurred. The cause of the mold, the policy that the renter or landlord holds, and the severity of the situation will all play a part in whether or not insurance will cover some, all, or none of the expenses. 

Renters and landlords alike should always be aware of the specifics of their policies to know what type of compensation, if any, may be available. 
## How to Detect Mold in an Apartment
Promptly responding to the existence of mold in your property can alleviate stress, expenses, and health-related issues. Ensure your own safety by being able to recognize mold growth in your home before the situation gets out of hand. 

When checking for mold, look out for these four common signs: 
### Discoloration 
Mold can appear on all surfaces (walls, ceilings, behind wallpaper, etc.) and can be recognized as white or gray to green, red, brown, or black discoloration.

If you come across black discoloration, be sure to act immediately and with caution. Black mold can be extremely toxic.
### Texture
Slimy, fuzzy, or powdery textures on surfaces can be a sign of mold growth.
### Water 
Leaks, floods, and heavy moisture are the most common causes of mold growth. If a leak or flooding occurs, you can take the precautionary measure of thoroughly drying and cleaning within 24 to 48 hours of the event. 
### Smell
Mold commonly leaves a musty-like smell. Because mold can grow on surfaces that are hidden, such as beneath carpets and behind wallpapers, it’s important to consider detecting mold by its scent rather than physical appearance. 

Though it can be detected on your own, mold is not always safe to tamper with, and mold growth on porous materials such as wood and drywall is extremely difficult to clean. That being said, it’s better to leave the removal and cleaning of mold to professionals. 

![mold cleaning.jpeg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/mold_cleaning_dff9dd7c45.jpeg)

## Mold in Apartments: Tenants' Rights
When there is mold in an apartment or rental property, [tenants have rights](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/mold-rentals-landlord-liability-responsibility-prevention-30230.html). Mold can leave a property permanently damaged and may even leave the tenant with an array of health problems. 

Mold rules and regulations vary from state to state, so the line of responsibility can oftentimes be blurred by differing mold-related legislation.

Regardless of your state’s specific legislation concerning mold, landlords have a responsibility to provide a livable environment, and tenants have the right to a livable home. Overall, liability will most likely depend on the circumstances of the mold situation. 
### Can I Refuse To Pay Rent if There Is Mold in My Home?
Similar to tenant rights, the legality of withholding rent from your landlord depends on the tenant remedy laws in your state. With that said, strategies of withholding rent from landlords, such as conducting removal and repairs on your own and deducting the costs from your rent to outright withholding rent, are generally seen as legally justified in many states. 

However, if the landlord has punctual responses to mold complaints from tenants and promptly follows up with evaluation and remediation methods, they can avoid rent withholding. 
### Can I Break My Lease Due to Mold?
The state you hold your lease in will play a key variable in determining whether or not you can break a lease. 

For example, in Florida, there is a [Landlord and Tenant Act](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0083/0083.html) requiring landlords to upkeep properties to meet housing standards. 

Tenants in Florida must notify their landlords of mold in writing. Once the notice has been sent, the landlord has seven days to begin repairs and remediation of the mold. If proper action is not taken within those seven days, the tenant can legally terminate the lease. 

However, this exact scenario doesn’t play out in every state, so it’s important to educate yourself regarding mold regulations in the state where you hold your lease. 
## How to Report Mold in a Rental House
If you suspect mold in a property you are renting, make sure to immediately contact and inform your landlord. The landlord, in most cases and in most states, will follow up with further steps on removal and repairs. 

In the case that your landlord is unresponsive or unreliable in addressing the mold issue, you can alternatively report the situation to the local housing and code enforcement department, which can inspect the property, log violations, and push the landlord to make proper repairs. 

Otherwise, there are local housing and tenant rights groups that can offer guidance. Always be sure to keep records of the exchanges between you and the landlord regarding the mold, its removal, and its necessary repairs in case a dispute arises. 
### How Long Does My Landlord Have To Fix Mold?
The grace period that a landlord has to respond to a mold notice will vary depending on the state in which you hold your lease. However, the tenant must address their mold concerns to their landlord via written notice. 

Once the notice has been submitted and the grace period has passed, tenants have the right to participate in their own self-remediation plans whether that be through withholding rent or filing claims. 

![how to detect mold.jpg](https://api.moveout.com/uploads/how_to_detect_mold_5659d801a3.jpg)

## Prevent Mold Growth With Professional Cleaning Services
Mold is hazardous and can quickly make your living space inhabitable. Tenants and landlords each have their own set of responsibilities that must be followed to ensure the habitability of the living space once the mold is detected. Likewise, they each have precautionary actions they can and should make so that the issue doesn’t arise to begin with.

Good upkeep of a property requires teamwork between both a tenant and their landlord, and through [Moveout.com](https://www.moveout.com/), you can find professional cleaners to make sure that a property is clean before you move in.

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Let’s face it, mold is scary. It can easily turn into a renter’s worst nightmare due to its adverse effects on your health and home. The steps that need to be taken after finding mold in your rental property can be very confusing due to an array of variables that will play into the legalities and liabilities surrounding the issue. This article will help you understand how to identify mold and what steps need to be taken to solve the issue in a timely and efficient manner.

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Do I Need to Hire a Cleaner When Selling a House?

Where to Donate Furniture Before Moving Out

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