The maple sugaring season in Vermont usually begins in late February and starts settling down toward the beginning of April. The sap running from the maple trees draws to a close. It is a clear signal spring is here and that it’s time to start checking off those items on your spring home maintenance checklist!
Taking care of small repairs and basic upkeep in the spring can increase a home’s value by around 1% annually while neglecting items can lead to a significant loss in home value very quickly. So it’s a good idea to take care of business while the sun is shining and the sky is clear.
There are several things a homeowner looking to list their home in the spring should consider including on their checklist. Small investments such as replacing outdated fixtures, installing new front door hardware, painting the front door, or the tried and true low cost investment of simply thoroughly cleaning the home inside and out and keeping up with the landscaping (aka sweat equity) can provide an incredible return on investment.
Following some of the standard items from the Heney Realtors home staging process will greatly factor into a solid spring cleaning checklist, especially when you are looking to sell your home.
The Checklist in Brief
Enhance Outdoor Areas: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. A well kept lawn, freshly mulched flower beds, and bright rows of blooming spring flowers ( daffodils, crocus, and tulips ) are a great way to make a good first impression. Adirondack chairs are a New England staple. If you don’t have a pair, or if the chairs have seen better days, consider purchasing a new set of chairs for your front or backyard. Vermonters love the outdoors and potential buyers will react favorably to the inviting landscape you lovingly create and maintain.
Brighten Things Up: Light colors make rooms feel more spacious and inviting and will help reflect the natural light coming in through your windows (keep those windows clean). Consider repainting the darker rooms of your home with brighter neutral colors. Replace worn out curtains or shades with new window treatments.
Declutter & Depersonalize: It is important for potential buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. We often recommend a homeowner rent a small storage unit when removing excess furniture and clutter. Personal photos, children’s drawings, and other sentimental items should be removed from display. A neighbor with an artistic eye or working with an agent from Heney Realtors can help make these pragmatic decisions free of emotional attachment.
Keep it Clean: Clean your windows! Clean your floors! Clean your appliances! Clean the Corners! Move the refrigerator and clean underneath! Clean everything! By channeling your inner Tom Sawyer you may be able to organize a neighborhood cleaning party. The promise of an all you can eat pancake jamboree to celebrate a job well done might help to seal the deal (and don’t skimp on the maple syrup).
Heney Realtors is Montpelier Vermont’s Premier Independent Real Estate Brokerage. We have been serving Central Vermont since 1956. We recognize that every town is unique and every market is different. When choosing to work with us you are choosing a team who knows the Vermont market and the best way to sell your home. Contact us today!