Spring Cleaning Checklist for Home Sellers

As the seasons change and the weather starts to warm up, you’ve undoubtedly got a long list of things to do. If you’re planning on selling your home this spring, your list is probably longer than most. At or near the top of that list should be making a spring cleaning checklist that will help you prepare your house staging and, hopefully, encourage a potential buyer to make an offer during a showing or open house.

Given the importance of first impressions, a clean home is one of the most powerful tools you have when trying to make a sale. Cleanliness helps buyers focus solely on your home’s features rather than being distracted by things like dust, dirt or clutter. When buyers enter a sparkling, well-maintained home, it feels more inviting and encourages them to picture themselves living there. A spotless home signals that it has been well cared for and is move-in ready, giving buyers confidence and making your property stand out from the competition. A clean home can also potentially contribute to a quicker sale, as house hunters are often more likely to make an offer when they can easily see the home’s potential without being distracted by untidy spaces.

By following a detailed spring cleaning checklist, you can help ensure that your abode is presented in the best possible light to house hunters.

Here are some suggestions for rooms and areas to include on your spring cleaning checklist in order to help you make that all-important good first impression:

Entryway & Hallways

The entryway is the first thing buyers see when they set foot in your home, meaning this should probably be among the first spots to work on. Your home’s hallways are also key to setting a welcoming tone. Clean floors, polished door handles and maybe even a charming doormat can help make your guests feel comfortable and eager to explore other parts of your home.

Bedrooms & Living Spaces

Prospective buyers need to be able to envision themselves enjoying these areas on a daily basis, so fostering a clutter-free, serene atmosphere should be your goal for this portion of your spring cleaning checklist. Vacuum carpet and upholstery and spot-clean any stains. Dust all surfaces, including shelves, tables and decor. Don’t forget about high surfaces like ceiling fans and light fixtures—dust here can be especially noticeable and off putting. You should also ensure that all lightbulbs are working, and opt for warm, soft lighting that makes the space feel cozy and inviting.

Laundry Room & Closets

These areas are often neglected, but they can make a big impression if they’re tidy and functional. Clear away any clutter and wipe down shelves in your closets—buyers appreciate an organized storage room, so show off the potential of these spaces by making them seem as large and tidy as possible. Make sure your washer and dryer are clean and free of dirty laundry. Empty the lint trap and consider running a cleaning cycle on the washer if it has one.

Great room

Another part of the home that gets a lot of use, having an orderly great room will give your potential buyers a better sense of what their daily life might look like in their new home. Put away any knickknacks and unnecessary décor and make sure your furniture is pristine and positioned in a way that makes the great room looks its absolute best. If you have a fireplace, consider having comprehensive maintenance, including de-griming, performed on it as this is a feature that house hunters are likely to look at closely.

Garage

A tidy, well-organized garage can be a huge selling point for house hunters looking for extra storage space. Sweep the floor, get rid of any clutter and remember to wipe down your shelves. You should also organize your tools, as well as your lawn or snow removal equipment. Hang up your shovels, rakes and brooms in an orderly manner. If you have any awkward or bulky items in your garage, consider moving them to a storage unit or another alternate site while you’re in home seller mode.

Kitchen

One of the most important rooms in a house, having a tidy and inviting kitchen is key to making a potential buyer picture themselves living in your home. Therefore, it will pay off to be thorough when cleaning your kitchen. Pay special attention to the following items before marking this section off on your spring cleaning checklist:

• Appliances: In addition to cleaning off their exteriors, make sure your appliances are also spotless on the inside in the event that a house hunter gets curious and takes a look. Make sure the pesky area around and behind your fridge is vacuumed, your microwave’s interior is wiped down, your stovetop burners are scrubbed and your oven is clean and free of crumbs.
• Counters, Pantry & Cabinets: Your counters should be completely cleared in order to create an uncluttered space that your potential buyers can envision using for a variety of purposes. Be sure to wipe down your cabinets and consider polishing them with a finishing substance, depending on what type of material they’re made of. Try to keep your pantry as clutter-free as possible, with cans, boxes and spices lined up and neatly arranged.
• Sink & Faucet: Be sure to scrub your kitchen’s sink and faucet thoroughly so as to remove any mineral deposits, soap scum, or water spots. A dirty sink and faucet will definitely draw the eye of potential buyers, so consider investing in specialty products to keep them looking immaculate.

Bathrooms

Homebuyers also tend to pay exceptionally close attention to a house’s bathrooms, which means you should too. Much like with your kitchen, taking a multi-tiered approach to getting your home’s bathrooms spick and span is advisable

• Sinks, Showers & Tubs: Soap scum and water stains need to be eliminated, which some good elbow grease and household cleaners can take care of. Your faucets and drains should be working perfectly in case a potential buyer tries them out, so it would be a good idea to tackle any clogs ahead of time.
• Toilets: These will definitely need to be deep cleaned, both inside and out. If your toilet seat is badly worn or scratched, you might want to consider replacing it altogether. The bowls can be bleached if necessary, and incorporating deodorizers or air fresheners can help eliminate any unpleasant odors.
• Floors: When sweeping and mopping your bathroom floors, be mindful of grout lines on your tiling. Over time, grout can become discolored, which may be unsightly and require extra work to fix.
• Fixtures & Mirrors: Clean fixtures and bright mirrors tend to give your bathroom a warm, inviting feel, so polish them thoroughly to remove any streaks and fingerprints.
• Medicine/under-sink cabinets: Messy toothpaste tubes or spilled pill bottles can make your bathroom look chaotic and unappealing to potential buyers. Make sure your cabinets are well-organized and clutter-free.

Exterior Spaces

Your home’s curb appeal is an important consideration for prospective buyers. Power wash your driveway/walkway, trim your bushes, mow the lawn, clear out your gutters and get rid of any debris in your yard and garden. You may also want to consider investing in a landscaping service to take your home’s curb appeal to the proverbial next level!

By following a spring cleaning checklist such as this one, you’ll be setting yourself up for quality showings and a smooth launch into selling season. Remember, from the entryway to the backyard, every area of your home should be organized, spotless and welcoming. A clean home not only makes a great first impression but also helps buyers envision themselves living in your space, which can, hopefully, lead to a quicker offer.

If you find yourself pressed for time, hiring a professional cleaning service to tackle your spring cleaning checklist might be an option to consider. By having a pro take care of it, you can free yourself up to focus on other aspects of selling your home, such as marketing. Whether you go the pro or DIY route, ensuring your home is as clean as possible is a great first step in setting yourself up for home selling success.

If you’re looking for a new home to move into after your current house has sold, Richmond American has you covered! We have floor plans to suit a variety of lifestyles and our homes’ professionally curated fixtures and finishes are sure to impress. Check out some of our listings in your area.