After a long, cold winter, springtime is back and bringing with it bright sun, breezy filled days, and a breath of fresh air. People feel energized and ready to tackle the tasks of cleaning and decluttering.
Spring is long considered the best time to sell a home, but before contacting your local real estate agent, you’ll want to ensure your home is squeaky clean. This goes beyond the general housecleaning chores—you’re going to want to do a deeper dive which is sure to make a huge difference to potential buyers.
Like the saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and when it comes to your home, you’re going to want to “wow” potential buyers from the moment they arrive.
The outside of a home is just as important as the inside and oftentimes, buyers will have already formed an opinion before they’ve made it to the front door. Which is why landscaping, even if it’s minimal, of the front and back property should be on your to-do list.
Whether you’re looking to put your home on the market now, or just want to clean away winter’s mess, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you get started.
Outside Cleanup
- In order to prep your lawn for spring, you’ll first need to clean away all of the debris left behind from winter.
- Planting new flowers and adding some potted plants will give the front of your home some curb appeal. Local nurseries and garden centers are a great place to find everything from flowers and shrubbery.
- Ensure walkways remain clear and easy for visitors to navigate.
- Replace or repair the mailbox – if it’s old or damaged it’s going to stand out. You can purchase a new one at your local hardware store.
- Pressure wash the outside of the house. If you don’t own a power washer, you can either rent the machine or employ the services of a company to do the job for you.
- Other areas such as windows, fences, pavers, and decks are usually in need of a good cleaning to wash away the winter grime.
- Don’t neglect the gutters. If clogged, they can overflow and cause water damage not just to the exterior, but also to the interior as well.
Stage the Backyard
- When cleaning out the yard, make sure to get rid of anything that is old or broken. Chances are when you move, it won’t be something you’re going to take with you, so now is the best time to dispose of anything unwanted or in poor condition.
- Just like you’ve done in the front of your home, remove any dying plants and scatter a few flowers or pots around to give the area a pop of color.
Steam Clean Carpets
- Floors often take a beating from the outside winter weather that’s tracked inside. If you have carpets, get them steam cleaned. If your home consists of hardwood, use a wood cleaner to bring back the shine. Same goes if your floors are tile or marble. If it’s not a job you want to personally take on, consider a professional cleaning service to get them in pristine condition.
- Floors, walls, and ceilings are all areas potential buyers pay close attention to so it’s important they’re as clean as possible.
Let in the Light
- Wash windows, inside and out, to ensure they sparkle.
- Wipe down all blinds, clean curtains and drapery, and polish the mirrors.
- Dust all light fixtures, especially ceiling fans which tend to collect a lot of dust, and replace any burnt out bulbs.
- Any time you show your home, you’ll want to let in as much natural sunlight as possible. A room filled with light will feel warmer and more inviting.
Deep Clean Kitchen and Bathrooms
- These are the biggest selling points in a home, so it is extremely important they are not only sparkling clean, but also presented in the best light.
- Cabinets should be wiped down, countertops and appliances cleaned, drawers and cabinets organized, grout between the tiles cleaned, and if necessary, re-grouted.
- Countertops, whether in the kitchen or bathroom, tend to become cluttered. Whatever’s out that doesn’t need to be, remove it. At some point you’ll need to pack it up so why not get a head start. Having less out allows potential buyers to visualize the space and imagine themselves in it.
Declutter & Organize
- To ensure rooms look as open as possible, leave out only the essentials, everything else, box up. A home will look bigger when it’s not filled with stuff. Remember, the goal is to have a potential buyer envision themselves living in the home.
- Keep closets organized as buyers tend to always peek inside.
- Boxing up possessions that aren’t used on a daily basis will not only make it easier for you to do a deep cleaning, but you’ll also have a head start on packing.
