If you plan to list your home for sale, it’s a good idea to put professional stone and tile restoration on your to-do list. A simple way to improve buyer appeal and help your home sell quickly for the price you are asking is by having clean, elegant, welcoming floors and surfaces. According to Bankrate.com, the number one turnoff for buyers when they enter a home is a lack of overall cleanliness. Stone and tile can be freshly cleaned, but still look (and smell) dirty. Here's why:

Odors

Grout is porous, so it can trap all kinds of odors, but especially pet odors, which can be a deal-breaker for many homebuyers. Professional tile and grout cleaning leaves your floors smelling clean and fresh. Grout lines can be color sealed, for a fresh, spot-free, uniform appearance.

Mildew

Eliminating allergens and other pollutants from your bath and shower areas is especially important for potential buyers with allergies. If they walk into the bathroom and see problematic grout lines, they're likely to turn around and leave. Regular cleaning methods and even professional cleaning services cannot achieve the same level of deep-down clean as professional tile and grout cleaning.

Stains and etches

Natural stone can be perfectly sanitized, yet appear dirty if it is stained or etched. Many homebuyers see stains and etches on natural stone and raise unwarranted red flags about the overall cleanliness of the home. Most stains can be removed. Etches can be honed away and then polished to restored the finish of the stone.

Scratches and dullness

Thousands of tiny scratches and other signs of wear can make the surface of natural stone look dull and dirty. Larger scratches leave the (inaccurate) impression that the stone ought to be replaced. Professional honing and polishing will restore the factory finish of your natural stone.

Floors and surfaces that look brand new create a positive first impression. If you are selling your home, don't let your stone and tile become a deal-breaker, and don't replace your stone and tile! Have it professionally restored.

This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of Surface Care PRO Partners.