Moving? Spring cleaning helps you move and sell your home. Despite Mother Nature’s schizophrenic weather, we are about to embark on Spring. This is a great time to begin the process to prepare your home to sell, if you are planning on moving. Before you
get started, think about your home from a buyer’s perspective. This will help you begin to separate yourself from your home, which is very important in the transition. Look at your home with a critical eye. Look at the carpet, the walls, the decor. Look at your bathroom, kitchen and closets. Does your home look dated? Are your rooms cluttered? Is that carpet stain still there? Are your walls nicked up?
If you are having trouble with this exercise, ask a good friend or family member who is straight forward to give you his or her opinion. Remember, do not to take it personally. The goal is a sale and constructive criticism goes a long way. Depending on market conditions in your area, this may be the difference in a quick sale. Be frugal but not cheap. There are many ways to spruce up your home without robbing the bank. Paint is a fantastic way to freshen up your home without much cost especially if you do it yourself. Hire a professional to clean your carpets. Shop around and get competitive bids because this will help you receive the best deal. If you have draperies, check them for stains, dirt or dust. If they are looking tired, either have them dry-cleaned or replace them. Are your windows looking foggy or have a hundred little hand prints from the kiddos? If so, clean your windows and screens. If you have large and hard to reach external windows, hire a professional. Again get competitive prices to ensure you get the best deal.
Clean, clean and clean some more. This is key. Remember when you were looking for your current home. You probably were put off by the homes that were not in pristine condition. Therefore, keep in mind, dirt and clutter are huge turn-offs to buyers. So roll up your sleeves and get to work. This may seem overwhelming at first but the sooner you get those outstanding items done on your list, the sooner you will be ready to put your home on the market. Another great incentive is that you really do not want to pay to move stuff you no longer use. Therefore, selling and donating these items will save you even more in the long run.
