In most parts of the Country Spring has emerged. Flowers are beginning to show us their brilliant colors and trees are once again budding with new growth and life. Sounds of children's laughter can be heard at neighborhood parks everywhere as the weather now allows them to freely run and play after months of being trapped indoors by harsh and cold conditions.
Psychologists often refer to Spring as the season of hope. It's a time for mind, body, and soul to be uplifted after the dreary days of Winter have taken it's toll. The daylight hours are increased allowing us to accomplish more in our daily lives before the sun sets each day. Individuals that garden or farm can begin tending to the soil and reconnecting with the Earth all the while incorporating physically related activities which increase Serotonin levels in the body specifically responsible for elevating moods.
Spring, however, does come with one dreaded drawback. Spring cleaning! After months of kicking off wet and muddy shoes in our entryways, hauling dirty firewood inside so we can nestle up to our fireplaces, and breaking out every heavy coat and blanket from our storage closets, it's time to pay the price for living through another Winter. The grumbling and complaints will be heard from our children, and precious weekend hours will be spent all across this land tidying up our residential sanctuaries.
There can also be an entirely different dynamic when it comes to Spring cleaning if you are one of the millions of property owners thinking of selling your home during this sensational season. When it comes to sprucing up your residence so that you and your family can personally enjoy a clutter-free, organized, and fresh living environment you can tend to be a little more relaxed about what gets thoroughly scrubbed and what gets a simple once-over. But washing, dusting, and scouring take on a whole new meaning when it comes to impressing potential buyers.
Purchasing a home is an emotional experience. Think about how you feel when you come home to a tidy, orderly, and spotless house. That's the same feeling buyers will get if you make sure to present your property to them in the same manner. Aside from the usual dusting, vacuuming, and mopping, there are many other often overlooked cleaning opportunities to impress future home buyers and ensure that your property shows like the diamond that it is. You would be a wise and savvy homeowner if you addressed these regularly neglected aspects of your house:
Windows
Admit it. It's been months and maybe even years since you've washed your windows. It's amazing how much brighter a home can feel when the sun is shining through clear glass panes. Both the interior and exterior of your windows should be attended to as dust and dirt can build up on both sides of the surface.
Blinds and Window Treatments
It doesn't take long for dust to build up on blinds, curtains, shutters, and drapes. Within a few short weeks your window treatments can begin to look dingy and neglected which is not a good first impression to make on home shoppers.
Baseboards
Nobody likes getting down on their knees to scrub dirty baseboards which is why this is generally an area of a home that is not attended to frequently. Cleaning baseboards and even touching up scuff marks with fresh paint can go a long way in giving a facelift to your household.
Fan Blades
If a rolling stone gathers no moss then how in the world can fan blades in constant motion collect so much dust and grime? I've never understood it, yet it's a fact of life. Fan blades get dirty. Even if your fans would be considered older and perhaps out-of-style, you can still make them shine.
Ceilings
Cobwebs in the corners and food splatters on the ceiling don't excite buyers. Get up on those ladders and use those extended reach handles to clean and clear your ceilings of any unsightly build-up.
Vents and Filters
Vents and filters can build up just as much dust as any other part of the house but can be hard to reach and inconvenient to clean. Make your home stand out from the rest by changing out filthy filters and vacuuming those air vents.
Light Fixtures
It's always a good idea to replace any light bulbs that have gone out around the house before placing your home up for sale. While you're replacing those bulbs also remove the covers and globes so that they can get a much needed wipe down.
Doors, Walls and Light Switches
If you have kids then no doubt you have finger prints all over your house. Wipe down all your doors, walls, and light switches to remove those precious little reminders of art projects from the past.
Appliances
Potential buyers walking through your home will indeed open your refrigerators, ovens, and microwaves while they are perusing your property. Give all of your appliances a professional grade washing including any counter-top appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, or toaster ovens.
Furniture
We're all guilty of spilling our favorite snack or drink on our favorite sofas and lounge chairs but how often do we have them properly cleaned and shampooed? Do you have a formal sitting area in your home that isn't frequently used? Chances are if the space is neglected so is the furniture in that room. At the very least, performing a detailed vacuuming of all household furniture should be accomplished.
Closets
Just like with appliances, buyers will open your closets. They want to know how much storage space might be available to them if they purchase your home. But if your closets are packed too tightly it may not give off a great representation as to the stockpiling possibilities. De-clutter and organize your closets so that potential prospects see the true potential.
Porches
Whether you have months worth of muddy shoes, leaves and debris, or seasonal decorations scattered and strewn about your front and back porches, these outdoor spaces are just as important to clean as any other part of your property. Front porches need to make a great first impression as they are one of the first aspects of your home a buyer will see. Back porches also need to be cleaned and cleared of clutter so that home shoppers can step out in to your backyard with ease.
Garages
In many areas around the Country garages aren't just for storing vehicles. They are used to store just about everything a homeowner can fit in to them. Tools, landscaping equipment, boxed-up holiday decorations, bikes, and children's toys. Show off that garage space by organizing and clearing the jumbled mess that has been accumulating for quite some time.
