Well….it’s SUPPOSED to be spring. Mother Nature is a little drunk and needs to sober up and get to work on our spring weather! So as we look to spring and the warmer weather our thoughts should be turning to spring cleaning and sprucing of our homes. We should do this every year but most especially if you are considering selling your home soon. By taking the time each year to attend to the spring cleaning, you keep your home updated and maintained which makes for better showing when the time comes and you do decide to sell.
Spring spruce ups that are relatively inexpensive and can make a huge impact on how your home is perceived. So take the time to consider one or more of these to help you rock the appeal of your home. Remember, selling today is like on line dating….the most “attractive” homes will get the most action! 😉
Exterior Painting: this obviously doesn’t need to be done every year but every 5 or so years trim and exterior paint is probably looking weathered and shabby. Painting keeps the wood on the home from getting moisture soaked too and helps keep moisture out of the inside of the home.
Kitchen and Bath: These two areas of a home are the major things that either make or break a sale / price point. Major renovations are not necessary usually. Some fresh paint on the walls and perhaps cabinets as well as updated door/drawer knobs, counters and tile back splashes are a huge help and often can be done without breaking the bank. In a bathroom, a new vanity can really brighten and modernize the space often at very little cost.
In the area of the yearly spring cleaning start outside and work your way in. After a long cold winter, tidy the landscape and get it ready for the planting of annuals and other warm weather plants. Clear away dead wood and plantings. Add some mulch to all beds and around trees – black mulch looks really good or some other rich dark color.
Take a good look around the house and power wash off any mildew or dirt. Decks and driveways or pool areas can use this treatment as well. While taking care of this, make sure gutters are cleaned out too. Often in the fall and winter the gutters get full of leaves etc and not only does it look bad but it can cause back ups that affect the interior of your home.
Once you get inside, start with window and blind cleaning. A LOT of dust accumulates on the blinds. A trick I’ve learned is to use a dryer fabric sheet (Bounce or something like that) to wipe down blind slats and freshen the air at the same time. Equal parts white vinegar/water and rubbing alcohol make a great natural glass cleaner.
Other areas that don’t get done in a regular cleaning session and should be done at least once a year to keep your home organized and de-cluttered:
*Clean carpet and upholstered furniture – usually one company can do both
*Tidy and organize closets – get rid of things you no longer wear/use and donate
*Polish wood floors and wood work
*Wipe down walls and add fresh paint if necessary. Walls can get dusty too!
*Ceiling fans- the slats on a ceiling fan can get pretty dusty and need a wipe down once or twice a year!
While mother nature is making up her mind – get started on the spring cleaning and then spend the rest of the spring/summer enjoying the outdoors. And of course if you are thinking of getting your home listed, CALL ME! I can help with getting some or all of these things done for you! That is part of the service I offer my clients!
Jenny4stlouis 