Spring Cleaning: Tips On Getting Your Home Ready For Sale
Contrary to years prior, 2018 has presented us with a rather mild, wet March. As such, we’ve barely approached the standard season for “April showers” and have already received enough rain and wet weather to rid most of the snow! The month, however is still young; and, as unpredictable as Mother Nature can be when it comes to delivering cold weather and long winters, we think it’s safe to assume that Jack frost might just bite a time or two more. This said, if you’re in the market to (or in the process of) selling your home, the traditional “Spring cleaning” chores, though tempting, might need to wait until the season has truly sprung –perhaps leaving you feeling in limbo. Not to worry! We’ve collected a list of pre-spring maintenance chores that you and your family can work on in order to help sell your home in the meantime:
- Plants and flowers and weeds, oh my! Although it might still be a little too early to plant new flowers in your garden, removing the lifeless, rotting plants away from last year’s soil can go a really long way toward making your overall garden space look clean. Tip: don’t forget to eliminate any additional leaves and other debris as, they too, get noticed! Remember, although it may seem like a tough time of year to keep things looking fresh, giving a little extra TLC to your greenery can give your home that curb appeal you might be looking for!
- Leaves and other things: if you didn’t get a chance to rake up any fallen leaves before the snow quickly hit us last year, now’s your time to shine! Despite the grass not necessarily being at its greenest, cleaning up any leftover, broken leaves – as well as any pet droppings – can certainly paint a more vivid picture for potential buyers.
- Check your deck! If the weather is warm enough, you might want to take an afternoon or two to clean your patio furniture, garden features and/or any other moveable items around your yard. Winter typically leaves a dull, grey film on these household belongings – including your garage door and windows – so be sure to scrub down any outside surfaces. Check out these DIY cleaning tricks.
- Sweeping your walkways: Curb appeal aside, be sure to take advantage of the milder days to clear your decks, walkways and stairways of any built up snow and/or ice for the safety of those coming through your home. Salt and grit from the prior winter-filled months can leave a rather daunting mess to your driveway and walkways; consider rinsing these surfaces down with a hose while the weather cooperates!
Before we know it, spring will have sprung! Despite the premature preview of spring we’ve been granted with, there’s a lot you can get a jump start on Spring-cleaning-wise. After all, the Spring market is fast-approaching!
Most Important Things to Repair Before Selling a House
Some normal wear and tear over the years are typical for any house. However, if you are considering selling your house, repairing these small blemishes can make a big difference to the value of your home on the market. So, what is worth fixing? Here is a list of important things to repair before selling your home.
Paint
Updating the paint is one of the most effective ways to transform your home. When picking a new paint colour, keep in mind that it should appeal to most people’s taste. We recommend using light and neutral colours for mass appeal.
Do you have torn or outdated wallpaper in your home? To enhance your home’s style, it is best to upgrade the wallpaper to a modern look. There are many wallpaper brands in the market that offer unique and trendy patterns which are quite easy to install. You can also create an accent wall in a bedroom or in the living area with wallpaper or a bolder choice of paint colour.
Exterior
First impressions matter; the exterior condition is critical as it is the first thing that buyers see walking up to your house. Simple things such as replacing missing fence boards, cleaning and organizing clutter, and landscaping the front yard can have your home feeling more welcoming and pleasant.
Kitchen
A spacious and inviting kitchen can be an excellent selling point for the house. However, we do not recommend doing a complete kitchen renovation unless your real estate agent advises so. There are more straightforward ways to update your kitchen, for example:
- Replace old kitchen countertops.
- Paint or replace cabinets, especially if they are chipped or stained.
- Replace kitchen backsplash.
- Update lighting fixtures to brighten up the room.
We also recommend replacing any appliances that are run down or out of operation. While they do not have to be top-of-the-line, buyers will expect functional kitchen appliances.
Bathroom
A clean and functional bathroom is a necessity if you want your house to sell. If there is any water damage in the bathroom, now is the time to hire a professional to fix it. Some other things to consider are:
- Make sure that the toilet is running properly, and the faucet is not leaking.
- Clean up dirty grouts.
- Replace missing tiles.
- Remove old wallpaper and replace it with new coats of paint.
We recommend focusing on kitchen and bathroom repairs as they are pricey areas to upgrade, and buyers are likely to put their focus on them.
Lighting
Clever lighting can make the smallest room look open and inviting. Take some time to analyze the space and find appropriate lighting fixtures to maximize the perception of space. Remember that natural lighting is your best friend, so ditch the heavy drapes and let the sunlight in!
Kelly Ebbs and Kerry Millican are your Ottawa real estate professionals at Royal Lepage Team Realty. Whether it is a condo or a family home, we are here to help guide you through the selling process. Together, we can make it happen. Get in touch to get started today!
