You’ve cleaned, decluttered and painted to get your home ready to sell. But there’s still one job left – make certain your home smells great for every showing.

Here are four things to keep in mind to ensure your house smells fresh and clean for potential buyers:

Stuffiness. Open the windows and air out stale, musty rooms. Steam clean carpets and curtains, wash all bedding, and store stinky athletic gear and out-of-season clothing and shoes away.

Pets. Dogs need brushing and baths. Scoop cat boxes daily. Keep bedding and cages clean. Steam clean all furniture where pets sleep and play with their toys.

Food odors. Clean your oven, burners, and sink drains. Grind a small lemon slice in the disposal and let the water flow. Clean out the refrigerator and take trash out daily.

Mold and mildew. If you can smell moisture, others can, too. Check pipes and floors for leaks. Toxic mold can grow anywhere that contains cellulose, poor light, and low air circulation. Wash towels frequently. Replace cleaning sponges with fresh scrubbing tools.

Wash dirty clothes and bed linens frequently. Take baby diapers and other disposables to the outside trash every day. Don’t cover odors with sprays or scented candles.  

A good rule of thumb is – if you can’t remember when you cleaned it last, clean it now.

When you shop for a mortgage loan, you have certain rights that are guaranteed by the federal government’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

These include the right to:

1. Receive a credit decision that isn’t based on your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, or whether any of your income is from public assistance.
2. Shop for the best loan type for you and compare the fees of different lenders.
3. Know the total cost of your loan including the annual percentage rate (APR), points and other fees. Interest rates vary according to your credit history and credit scores, the borrowed amount and how much you’re putting as a down payment.
4. Receive a Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure Form before you agree to the loan and pay any fees. Compare the exact loan product you want as offered by two or more lenders.
5. Know which fees are not refundable if you decide to cancel the loan agreement.
6. Ask questions about loan terms and fees that you don’t understand.
7. Know the reason if your loan was turned down.

Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each type of loan product to choose the best one for your needs. As always, consult your financial advisor before making any decision.