05/24/2022
SPRING CLEANING TIPS for selling your house. Call Rhonda Brown REALTOR for more information.
The spring buying season is in full gear, and if you're wanting to sell your home, now is the time to make sure they're market-ready.
Giving a home a deep spring cleaning will help you present it in the best possible light, so you can attract the perfect buyer. Even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, there are some low-cost chores that will make a big difference. So, roll up your sleeves and break out the broom — it’s time to spring clean your way to a home sale.
Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal
If a house looks like a mess from the outside, you’ll find that it’s nearly impossible to get buyers to step inside and take a look. Taking the time to do some outdoor chores not only makes the home more attractive, but it can also increase its value. In fact, homes with high curb appeal tend to sell for about 7% more than similar homes with an uninviting exterior.
Start by raking and mowing the lawn and trimming the trees and shrubs. Next, it’s time to start working on some appeal-enhancing projects:
* Power wash the driveway and walkways
* Add or refresh mulch in plant beds
* Plant colorful perennials
* Fix low spots or drainage issues that create puddles
If the home’s exterior paint has seen better days, consider giving it a refresh as well. This requires a bit of an investment, but a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference.
Create a Grand Entrance
The front entryway is a potential buyer’s first interaction with the home. As such, it’s a pivotal selling point. Set the tone by putting a bit of work into making it look impressive. In addition to general cleaning, add the following to your spring-cleaning list:
* Repaint the front door
* Replace worn out door knockers, locks, and handles
* Add or replace weatherstripping around the door
* Clean the front windows inside and out
* Plant colorful flowers along the walkway
* Add a planter by the door
* Roll out a fresh new welcome mat
Tackling these tasks will help you make your front entryway inviting and draw in potential buyers, rather than turn them away.
Clear Out the Clutter
According to the National Association of Realtors, more than a quarter of buyers are more willing to overlook a property’s faults if a home is staged. However, before you can start thinking about staging a home, you’ll need to clear out the clutter.
A cluttered home creates the impression that it isn’t well cared for, and it will also make the space look smaller. Start narrowing down belongings by separating each item into one of three categories:
* Toss it / donate it
* Organize it
* Store it
Once you’ve gone through this process, it will be much easier to get everything cleaned up and out of sight.
Focus on the Details
Most homeowners probably keep up with basic cleaning like sweeping, vacuuming, wiping down the countertops, and scrubbing the bathroom fixtures.
Serious buyers typically scrutinize every detail, so make sure you do, too! When you’re deep cleaning your home, pay attention to things like:
* Light switches
* Outlet plate covers
* Fan blades
* Doorknobs
* Window trim
* Window tracks
* Sliding door tracks
* Baseboards
* Faucets
* Handles
* Showerheads
This type of cleaning is known in the real estate industry as “make-ready” cleaning. While you the seller can take care of this on your own, if you’re short on time and want to get your home sold ASAP, a reputable professional cleaning company may be the ticket.
Don’t Forget the Appliances!
While we’re on the subject of details, don’t forget to deep clean the appliances. It’s almost guaranteed that prospective buyers will open up the fridge and look inside the microwave or the oven. If you forget to clean them out, buyers might see this as a red flag, thinking that things look good on the surface but are less than perfect when you dig a little deeper.
