Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. And with those seasons of renewal come reasons to spruce up your home, especially if it’s on the market or you’re thinking about putting it on the market.





Maybe you’re accustomed to spring cleaning, fixing up both the inside and outside of your house so that it looks new and clean. Or perhaps you’ve let it slide the last few years, too busy to tend to the demands of home ownership. But now that you want to attract buyers to your home, there are several things you can do that cost little money and time that can make your house stand out in the crowd.





Outside Care 









We’ve all heard the term “curb appeal”, which is a factor that is particularly important in selling your home, especially during the months when buyers are expecting healthy vegetation and a clean overall look.





So, consider ushering in the seasons of rebirth by power washing the outside of your home. This is more than just hosing down the deck or sweeping the sidewalk. Power washing will remove the hard-to-fight dirt, mold, and moss from your stucco walls, siding, patio, and other surfaces outside your home. You can rent a power washer, but it’s often a good idea to hire a power washing company as they know how to handle the equipment and the powerful spray and are well-versed as to which surfaces can withstand the strength of power washing.





Next, tend to your grass and garden. If you’ve got lots of plantings/flowers around your house, this is the time of year they all begin to bloom. It’s also the time of year weeds start to pop up in abundance. Don’t let them get the best of you Stay ahead of them by weeding often and employing the use of weed killers that’ll rid your garden of those nasties while still preserving your flowers and other plants. You’ll also want to make sure the grass remains trimmed at all times. Not much of a gardener? That’s okay. Just add a few plants for a pop of color and a fresh, springtime look.





Also, consider other simple changes that make the outside of your house look more welcoming. For example, if your mailbox is old, crooked, and has seen better days, replace it It’s an easy fix and usually a relatively inexpensive one. Also consider painting your front door, especially if the paint is looking faded and dingy, and replace exterior doors that may have ripped screens and other issues.





If you’ve got a backyard that’s fit for entertaining, be sure it’s staged to look that way. Don’t pack away the patio furniture or the grill. Clean it and put it out. Make sure decks and patios are clean and be sure that any exterior lighting works so that buyers looking after dark can see the beauty of the space.









Inside Care









Once the outside of your house has wowed your potential buyers, it’s time to help them fall in love with the inside as well.





Start the spring season by washing all your windows, inside and out. Springtime is a great time to let in all the light, but you’re not going to want to throw open the shutters – so to speak – if your windows are spotted and dirty. Also, wash your curtains and clean/dust your blinds or other window treatments. Consider changing heavy winter curtains and replacing them with something more light and airy.





Next, take a look at the floors. If you live in a climate where there’s been snow or the weather has been rainy or otherwise miserable, chances are your flooring surfaces have taken a beating over the last several months. It’s time to give them a new life Hire a carpet cleaner to address any carpeted surfaces, scrub those tile floors until they shine, and use a reliable wood-cleaning product on your hardwood floors. Unkempt flooring surfaces can discourage buyers. If they think they’ll need to replace floors or carpets that are worn or dingy, they’re less likely to make an offer or will make a low offer.





Finally, declutter. Spring is time for purging, so look around and determine the things you no longer need. Keep only the essentials If something hasn’t been used for a long time or if it no longer appeals to your taste, get rid of it. Throw away the items that are in bad shape or can’t be restored and promptly donate all other things to thrift stores/charities or take them to a consignment shop if you think you can make a bit of money from these items. (Remember, however, you’ll get back the stuff they don’t sell in a certain period of time) Once you declutter, your home will look not only cleaner but bigger, and you’ll have a head start for when it’s time to pack up and move.









Need more advice for turning your home into a spring beauty? Talk to your realtor about their favorite spring cleaning tips.