If you’re one of the many homeowners looking to sell during the busy change of season, then taking the time to conduct a proper spring clean is a must.
In Victoria, the arrival of spring is usually marked by a handful of annual changes: the sun makes its return, the swap to Daylight Savings Time is just around the corner, and of course, our beloved Grand Final Day. In the world of real estate, it also means that demand for property usually increases – meaning that spring is an ideal time to sell.
For sellers, it’s important to note that just because the weather is in your favour, doesn’t mean that you get permission to take short cuts and expect the same price. In fact, undertaking an in depth spring clean to get your property ready to sell and in a presentable state is a must – but what does the process involve, and where do you start?
The Basics Of Conducting A Pre-Sale Spring Clean
Homeowners are often inundated with checklists that they need to complete before they even think about listing their house for sale. From basic renovations, mowing the lawn and even engaging with a professional property stylist, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer amount of things to do. In turn, there’s often one key component that gets overlooked: conducting a spring clean.
While undertaking a thorough clean is crucial for selling your house at any time of the year, it’s even more important to tackle the dust, dirt and muck that can often accumulate after the winter period when we spend more time indoors. Potential buyers will ideally view the home as a sanctuary from the outside conditions, so it’s important that the home looks fresh and at its best.
Like it or not, an in-depth spring clean involves much more than vacuuming and wiping down the bench. Potential buyers will inevitably check out every nook and cranny before they even think about submitting an offer, so be sure to cover the following.
Scrub Your Walls – While door knobs, kitchen benches and bathrooms get cleaned almost daily, our walls are simply too big to receive the same level of care. Although it’s a physical task and not often fun, be sure to wash your walls down before you start conducting open home inspections, as tiny marks from fingerprints can bring the feel of an entire room down.
Wipe Out All Drawers – Although this may not apply for standalone storage that you’ll be taking with you, buyers will almost certainly open cupboards and drawers in key areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and built-in wardrobes. During your spring clean, banish any lingering dust bunnies and give each of these a thorough wipe down.
Clean Your Exterior Gutters – If your property is surrounded by deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter, your gutters will quickly start to fill up with fallen debris. While this process does no favours for the property’s infrastructure, it can also create quite the mess and meddle with your property’s exterior look and feel.
Degrease Your Oven – Regularly cleaning your oven is important for the longevity of your cooker. Yet, most homeowners actively avoid this task, as it’s often viewed as messy and unpleasant. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be, and a great oven cleaning hack is to use a simple homemade solution made from baking soda and water when it comes time for a spring clean.
Tackle Carpets And Curtains – Soft furnishings such as carpets and curtains will have often been left untouched for months or even years, it’s important to give them a wash to eradicate any dust or other nasties that may have gotten comfortable in them. If you have carpet in your home, consider enlisting a professional cleaner to bring your floors back to their best.
If you ask just about any real estate agent or seasoned property investor, it’s no secret that the timing of listing your property can make an enormous difference on the final price you receive, and how long it stays on the market. However, it’s important to partner with an industry professional who won’t just tell you what you want to hear, especially for those looking to sell during the busy spring rush.
Should you be looking to sell your home or purchase a new one, enlisting the services of a free property advisor like ESPA can often be a game changer. As an example, your advisor would likely research the property, local agents, check the zoning, evaluate market conditions, and communicate clearly with you regarding all of your options – but where do you find one?
Take The Stress Out Of Selling Property
As a completely free service, Emergency Services Property Advisors provide property advisor services to Police, Fire, Ambulance and S.E.S personnel and their families right across Victoria.
Luke and the team at ESPA are passionate about providing support to some of Australia’s most valued public servants. Along with key industry insights, ESPA also works with a broad range of service providers linked to the real estate industry such as conveyancers, trades, legal practitioners and mortgage brokers.
If you are an emergency services worker looking to potentially buy or sell property in the future, please get in touch with Emergency Services Property Advisors today to discuss how we can turn your real estate dreams into reality, or call Luke directly on 0414 757 705.