7 Helpful Spring Cleaning Tips

For those who have a Chester County PA home for sale or are getting ready to put their house on the market, Spring is here!  It’s time to start “spring cleaning” to not only make your home look great, but to get rid of clutter.  And in the process it will make you feel great, too!

Historically, Spring is a popular time to put a home on the market.  But it’s important to stand out in the crowd since there are many homes competiting for a small pool of Buyers.

Here are 7 Spring Cleaning Tips that will help you sell your home.

1. LANDSCAPING - Investing in your home’s landscaping is one of the most inexpensive and easiest ways to help increase the property value. Clean up your yard by removing dead leaves, mowing the grass and trimming any bushes or shrubs.  A fresh application of mulch is the finishing touch.  Fill in any bare spots on your lawn with sod or seed. Plant flowers to help add color and accentuate your home. You may decide that it makes sense to hire a landscape architect if your yard needs a big change.  Make sure to wash your welcome mat and put away any winter shovels, children’s or pet toys that clutter the yard.

.2: DETAILS - A bit of elbow grease before you start to show your home can make a huge difference in that important “first impression”. Inspect your home with “buyer” eyes for things such as small holes in walls where a painting used to hang, outlets that are missing a cover or doorknobs that are loose and squeaky. Replace caulking around sinks, faucets and tubs, as well as any grout in tile counters or bathtubs if it is not sparkling clean.  Replace exterior light fixtures if they are “tired” or dated. Inspect the caulk around your windows and doors. If there is a crack larger than a nickel, reapply exterior caulk.   To save cooling energy costs, you may need to also reapply weather stripping around the doors. Clean out your gutters and add extensions to carry the water 3 to 4 feet away from the foundation. It’s very important to make sure water drains away from your foundation. Inspect your roof and repair damaged sections.

3. DEEP CLEAN - Buyers are seeing your house for the first time and inspecting every detail.  Clean your home from top to bottom.  Dust off baseboards and shampoo the carpet.  Now is not the time to take shortcuts.  Hire help if necessary. A clean house is perceived as a house has been well maintained. 

4. WINDOWS - Clean windows can make a remarkable difference in the curb appeal of a home. Homes show better with the blinds or curtains are up, but only if the windows are clean. Make sure they are streak free and clean both inside and out. A clean window brings more light into a room and allows buyers the chance to see the view.  Don’t forget the garage and shed!

5: POWER WASH - Power wash your driveway, walkway, fence, porch and deck to remove layers and years of dirt and grime from stone, wood and cement, including mildew stains from the winter.  Washing clears away all the dirt and debris and makes the home instantly seem cleaner. Use caution, however, before power washing the siding itself.  If the caulk or trim is not moisture tight, you could be sending massive amounts of water behind the façade, leading to potential mold nightmares.  A gentle cleaning with soap and water and a brush and a gentle rinse is a better choice.

6: GET RID OF CLUTTER - Disorganization is not appealing and makes a home feel smaller. You want potential buyers to imagine your home as their new home. Stage your interior by removing unnecessary furniture.  Less is more!  The kitchen counter should have no more than three things on it; likewise keep the bedside table clutter free. Spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to get rid of things you don’t really need. Go through all your closets and bag up all the clothes that don’t fit, are out of style or you simply don’t wear anymore and donate them to a charity. Take your old books, the kids’ toys they no longer play with and those kitchen knick-knacks and hold a garage sale. A de-cluttered home is always more attractive to the homebuyer.

7. AIR CONDITIONING - Inspect the A/C taking care to replace dirty air filters.  Make sure the condensate drain is clear and free of algae or mold.  If you do not have central air conditioning it’s time to install your window units.

A little extra effort doing Spring Cleaning will produce great results if you have a Chester County PA home for sale.

Interested in more tips to help your house get sold?  Contact Ann Byer today!