8 Easy Steps to Prepare Your Home for Spring

Whether you’re getting your home ready to sell or you just want to tackle some basic spring cleaning, these tips will energize your home for warmer weather.

Prep Your Home (To Sell!) This Spring

When the snow starts melting and the crocuses start popping their little buds out of the ground, you know you’ve made it through winter’s long haul and are just about home free until spring. But as the sun starts to warm up, you may start to notice the parts of your home that you’ve neglected through the winter.

Whether you’re working on your home to get it ready to go on the market or just hoping to give it some love, don’t let these spring cleaning and updating chores slip through the cracks.

Buyers are looking for a home that’s been taken care of despite any bad weather or snowy conditions, so working on your home right at the beginning of spring will keep things ready to go for the spring home sales season. Freshening up your home’s interior and exterior will invigorate your home with spring energy so that you can enjoy the warm weather, knowing you’re ready to make the big sale!

1) Wash Windows and Freshen Window Treatments

Windows often take the brunt of winter weather, keeping out cold winds and catching winter dust, dirt, and even salt from the roads. Your first step in spring cleaning should be to wash the inside and outside of your windows. You’ll be amazed at how much more light can enter a space when the windows are clean!

Changing your window treatments is an effortless way to bring spring pep into your home. Keep it simple by just washing or dry cleaning your current draperies, or take it one step further by updating heavy draperies with light and airy sheer.

2) Clear Your Gutters’ Downspouts

Dirty gutters are an eyesore and a liability not only for you but for potential buyers, as well. Cleaning your gutters will take roughly 15-30 minutes, but will save you money in the long run. You can avoid flooding during spring rains by clearing gutters of all rubbish using a ladder, a small hand rake, and a hose.

Potentials buyers will see that you’ve taken care of your gutters and downspouts and gain an added sense of confidence that you’ve taken care of the rest of your home, too. Gutter Supply notes that replacing your gutters with a durable, seamless material will prevent leaks and won’t need replacing as often as sectional gutters.

3) Bring the Outdoors In

One of the most exciting things about spring is the burst of flower blossoms that happen around the neighborhood. Filling your home with potted plants will make your house smell good and look beautiful.

Use a mix of potted houseplants that will last for the whole season and blossoming vases that will need occasional updating. You can also take advice from Martha Stewart and use different shades of hydrangeas for the ultimate blossoming spring bouquet.

4) Lawn Care

The first thing that a potential home buyer sees is typically your front lawn. Once the snow melts, you’ll probably need to take some steps to get your yard back into shape. Start your lawn work by raking away any leaves, branches, and clutter that was hidden under the snow all winter. Prune and trim your trees and shrubs and then haul away compost debris.

Aerate your lawn using a soil conditioner product; Oregon Live recommends LazyMan Liquid Soil Aerator. Aeration will help your lawn to be thick, even, and lush. Reseed any damaged or bare parts of your lawn using grass seed and fertilizer.

5) Repair Roof Damage

Nothing is more intimidating to a potential buyer than a roof that needs some serious work. Keep up with small roof repairs so that you can avoid an expensive overhaul down the line. After a long winter, the first thing you should do is examine your roof and assess any damage, and while you’re up there, clear away any branches, leaves, moss, and other rubbish.

If you find an excessive amount of moss, mold, or other growth, you’ll want to treat your roof with chlorine bleach or copper sulfate. Replace any missing shingles and don’t hesitate to contact a roofer for a second opinion if need be.

6) De-Clutter for Spring!

Spring is the perfect time to pare down the clutter that’s been accumulating in your home. Before you get started, make a room-by-room plan so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the prospect of de-cluttering your entire home—know that you don’t need to do everything in one day or even in one weekend.

Consider investing in drawer dividers and closet organizers to tame spaces that are prone to clutter. If you are planning on putting your home on the market, de-cluttering your home should be one of your top priorities.

7) Refresh Your Textiles

Re-energize your home by updating pillowcases, throws, and duvet covers. Choose bright pops of color that coordinate well with existing color schemes. Editors at Dwell note that 2018 is all about bold geometric patterns, so let your bed or pillows become a daring canvas or a pop of color. For more inspiration, check out our post about what the 2018 Architizer A+ Awards taught us about textiles.

If you aren’t ready to invest in a new duvet or all new pillow, you can still freshen up your fabrics by giving them a good wash. Spring is the perfect time to shake off the dust that built up over the winter.

8) Repair Windows and Screens

Replace damaged and warped screens so that you can enjoy warm spring breezes without being bothered by bugs and other critters. If you had a particularly rough winter, you’ll want to recaulk windows and inspect them for water damage and rot.

If you notice condensation between layers of glass, you’ll want to replace the sash or the window. Consumer Reports notes that maintaining your windows will help save you money on both heating and air conditioning.

website credit: https://www.homes.com/blog/2018/03/8-easy-steps-to-prepare-your-home-for-spring/