Are you considering selling your home soon? Check out these 10 Easy and Cheap Spring Cleaning tips that include pre-sale preparation for both the interior and exterior of your home.
1. Improve your landscaping
Clean out dead leaves and debris in your lawn and trim back the bushes. Don't let overgrown vegetation block the windows or path to the entrance.
Mow your lawn diagonally and don't miss the edge lawn along your driveway and sidewalks. Diagonally mowed lawns make your yard appear larger.
2. Power wash your siding
Power washing your house is the simplest way to add value to your property. It removes mold and mildew, extends the siding’s life, and gives your home a fresh and clean look.
3. Replace or repair the mailbox
An old or damaged mailbox makes the wrong first impression. You can buy a new one at most hardware stores and major retailers. If you replace the post, make sure it sits at a height of 42 inches above ground to meet federal regulations.
4. Make the front door inviting
Consider a fresh coat of paint for your front door and buy a new welcome mat.
Yellow flowers specifically stimulate buying urges. Yellow tulips and daffodils induce feelings of happiness and contentment. Arrange containers in groups of three or five near the entrance.
5. Clear up porch clutter
Remove all personal clutter, like kids’ toys on the walkway, or your pet’s crate on the porch. Store all personal effects that don’t demonstrate home value before a showing.
6. Clean your windows
Highlight your home’s windows by giving them a good cleaning, inside and out. Freshly-cleaned windows demonstrate attention to detail and will allow for more natural light when buyers come through the door.
7. Clean drapes, curtains and blinds
Send your window coverings to the dry cleaners or wash, dry, and press them. Toss blinds into a soapy bathtub for a quick wash. Get rid of all accumulated dust and spider webs. Crisp linens and a spring-time breeze through the windows invite the season inside.
8. Remove clutter and depersonalize
Keep only the essentials, and put everything else in storage or give it away. Not only will your home will feel cleaner and bigger when it’s not filled with your personal stuff, but will also allow the potential buyers to visualize themselves in the home. This process will save you time when you’re ready to move.
9. Address all odors
Smell can easily drive someone away from buying your home but you may not even realize the smells are there. Ask an outsider that you trust, like your Realtor, to let you know if there are any unpleasant odors – like pet or cooking odors – and address them before you show. Believe it or not pet odors can kill a home sale. This happens because some buyers fear they won’t be able to get rid of the odor once they purchase the house. Don’t take any kind of chance with home odors – remove them!
9. Stage the backyard
The backyard is often the last thing buyers see on a tour, so it should look nice. Simple staging can make a big difference. Get rid of decorations and clutter in the yard, add a table and chair set, and clean the pool and spa. Remove any dying plants, and take down any shed or outdoor storage that’s in poor condition.
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