Tips to Prep for the Spring Market

Spring is almost here and it’s time to start prepping your home for the real estate market.  Below are some tips we recommend that you can check off your list this weekend:  

 

  1. Fresh Mulch – First impressions are everything, especially when it comes to curb appeal. Mulching, weeding and edging your flower beds may seem trivial, but it instantly cleans up the front of your home.  Buyers will walk up to your front door and notice a potential new house rather than a messy front yard.
  1. Paint Your Front Door – Front doors take a beating and get weathered over the life of your home. If you’ve never painted yours before, give it a try! Paint a fresh coat of the color you’ve always had or try a pop of color.  Here is a list of House Beautiful’s 30 Best Front Door Paint Colors for some front door inspiration.
  1. Declutter Your Closets – Closet space is always coveted in a home. Get your closets looking spacious and tidy by decluttering, organizing, donating items you don’t need or don’t wear.  Our mantra is if you haven’t worn an item of clothing or a pair of shoes in a year…donate it, or sell it.
  1. Wash Your Windows, Inside and Out – The outside of your windows can get filthy, especially if you live in a neighborhood where there is new construction. Mix up this homemade concoction for the best window cleaning solution: Mix 2 cups of hot water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of cornstarch. Mix very well, and then pour into a spray bottle. Use with crumpled up newspaper for streak free windows.  This recipe puts Windex to shame…trust us!
  1. Steam Clean Carpets – We recommend steam cleaning your carpets once a year, but it’s even more important when you are prepping your house for sale. Steam cleaning removes stains and odors and is a good first step if you want to impress buyers with a clean, fresh home.
  1. Depersonalize Your Home – Buyers need to be able to envision themselves living in your home and doing so is easier without your collections and personal items displayed. Box them up, store them, and you will have less work to do once moving day arrives.
  1. Power Wash Dirty or Moldy Exterior Surfaces – Power washing exterior surfaces allows buyers to focus on the beautiful outside features of your home without being distracted by the dirt or mold that has accumulated over time. For stubborn mold and mildew stains, try Mold Armor E-Z House Wash.  It connects to your hose and removes stains without scrubbing.  It works wonders on a moldy composite deck.