Increasing The Value Of Your Home Tip #5: Cleaning

This last tip may seem obvious but you would be shocked to find out how many people don’t bother to clean when the real estate agent or appraiser is coming for a visit.

I should point out that for this tip, I don’t mean vacuum a bit and wash the dishes, I mean industrial-strength, spring cleaning. That means EVERYTHING!

Here’s a list of some things you might not think about. A house that is well looked after and loved has a higher value than on that isn’t.

• Dusting–You’d be surprised what objects in your house become gray and lifeless because of a dust accumulation.
  
  You may not be able to see it like you can in your teenager’s room but it’s still there. Curtains, lampshades, ceiling fans, walls, shelves, books, wall hangings and even plants can all get a build-up of dust.
• Wash all surfaces — anything in your house that is damaged by water should be wiped down with a damp cloth and some warm water mixed with a bit of white vinegar. You can use a standard cleaning product if you want, but vinegar will do the trick just fine.
  
  This is an especially useful thing to do if you decide not to paint. You may not think there are many marks on your wall, but after you wash them, you’ll be amazed. Pay careful attention to doors, especially around the handle. A year’s worth of handprints can add up to a lot of dirt!
• Clean your windows — Most modern windows flip out of the frame for easy cleaning but even if yours don’t it is still a good idea to clean what you can. Use a product that made especially for cleaning windows and be sure to wipe them clean to get a streak-free finish. Window that have a lot of debris or paint on them can be cleaned with a razor blade.
  
  Clean windows let loads of light and make your house look bigger, brighter and more attractive to buyers or the appraiser
• Tidy up the yard — We already talked about this a little bit in Tip #2 but even after you’ve planted some flowers, it’s important to keep the yard free of clutter and debris. Rake the leaves if there are any, keep tools and toys in the shed when possible and make sure garbage cans are not visible from the front of the house. The idea is to make your yard look as big and inviting as possible