SIGN UP CUSTOMER LOGIN
Latest Real Estate News

Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.




rss logo RSS Feed
Company News | 5 Posts
Good Will Works | 1 Posts
Homebuying 101 | 10 Posts
Lifestyle | 18 Posts
Uncategorized | 3 Posts
downtown Chicago Chicago restaurant chicagoland community south loop Chicagoland history Lake View West Woodlawn Woodlawn 2024 Oak Park Chicago history Naperville activities river north history Hyde Park Gold Coast home improvement home inspection home inspector home maintenance kitchen remodel remodel kitchen kitchen homeowners home living appliances home tips home buying home care home home projects homebuyer homebuying kitchen tips home repairs home renovations chicago holiday parade local events events evanston holiday holidays chicagoland activities chicago holidays Avondale Magnificent Mile Barrington Norwood Park create home office design home office home office home staging home entryway home organize kitchen storage DIY home insulation home decor home remodel home design storage Chicago aurora oakpark West Town Streeterville home green garden gardening green home Spring garden and outdoors eco-friendly home home for sale home emergency home energy home security baird home For Buyers & Sellers real estate market Chicago real estate agent real estate agent sell home sell my home sell a house sell your home selling seller for buyers and sellers Chicago farmers market farmers market shopping la grange farms beverly logan square Near West Side The Loop Evergreen Park Lincoln Park palatine real estate arlington heights palatine Bridgeport Niles Chicago West Loop West Loop foodie Rosemont oak brook willmette West Loop Gate Wheeling Chicago real estate real estate facts Real Estate Tips how to choose a real estate agent how to find a real estate agent do I need a real estate agent find a real estate agent need real estate agent real estate real estate company Realtor real estate law Homebuying 101 real estate stats first time buyer buyer buying buyers Lincoln Square Near North Printers Row Roscoe Village Pilsen outdoor local market geneva pets Shopping centers East Pilsen McKinley Park Portage Park summer kids museums chicago activities Calumet Heights Oak Lawn Hawthorn Woods event Blue Island Oak Brook Terrace buy a house DIY projects diy architecture home sale back-to-school summer party Bridgeview curb appeal home trends wheaton parks North Chicago fall home maintenance decorate home fall decorate home for fall outdoor decor fall decor decor decorating Lakeview Naperville Oktoberfest Oktoberfest north center Elgin Ravenswood Wrigleyville Edgewater paint furniture furnishing furniture Hermosa Roscoe things to do Chicago festival Chicago food festival festivals Chicago fall fall Uptown glencoe chicagoland fall fall activities West Lawn Chicago Halloween Halloween Wicker Park Huntley andersonville home energy saving home insulation home safety fall home holiday guest holiday travel winter Little Village Illinois real estate Chicago lakeview glenview Baird & Warner South Loop General Real Estate decluttering Chicago art Chicago theater chicago theatre Chicago edgewater landscaping patio furniture Naperville real estate sell my home palatine virtual open house open house women in real estate womens history international womens day spring cleaning North Park West Chicago Darien Des Plaines wickerpark Wicker Park, IL East Hyde Park Ravenswood Manor nature branding air conditioner maintenance patio furniture maintenance maintenance Ohio Street Beach goldcoast Edgewater Beach Rogers Park South Shore West Rogers Park agent coaching agent training Lake Forest summer guests Schaumburg Schaumburg event Itasca Rolling Meadows Roselle Forest Glen River West Wilmette humboldt park Ukrainian Village East Ukrainian Village West Humboldt Park libertyville real estate libertyville Maple Park Union Woodstock Lincoln Park CHicago Chicago music festival Chicago art festival lifestyle Lisle Lake Forest Real Estate chicago suburbs chicago move Roseland Near West Side, IL fall maintenance fall garden Oglesby winterize winter preparation one-stop shopping one-stop shop Near North, IL
February
27

Planning on selling your home? A spotless home suggests it has been well-maintained, which is reassuring to buyers. To make the best impression and maximize your home's appeal, a thorough spring cleaning is essential. If you're not sure where to start, here's a room-by-room checklist you can follow to help you get your home sparkling and ready for showings.

Exterior

First impressions matter, and your home's curb appeal can make or break a sale. Plus, starting with the home's exterior is a great way to get outside and get some sunshine as the weather warms up. Here are some ways to refresh the outside of your home. 

  • Power wash the siding, driveway and walkways to remove dirt and grime.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.
  • Wash windows inside and out.
  • Trim bushes and trees, plant flowers and add fresh mulch as needed. 

    Entryway and Hallways

    After the exterior, the entryway is one of the first things that buyers see. It's also where they decide if they want to keep exploring the home, so the entryway needs to be as inviting as the rest of your place. Our entryways can see a lot of traffic, but we don't necessarily spend much time there — exactly why it's crucial to give yours a good clean. 

    • Pay attention to scuffed or dirty walls, light switches and doorknobs. 
    • Vacuum carpets, mop floors and replace or clean any worn, weathered rugs and mats. 
    • Add a fresh touch to your entryway with some simple, tasteful decor. 

    Kitchen, Bathrooms and Bedrooms

    Each of these rooms can be equally personal to a homeowner and be a major selling point for buyers. Once you've handled the main entry points to the home, it's time to make these rooms shine. 

    • Deep clean the inside and outside of all appliances.
    • Declutter and scrub countertops and tables. 
    • If you have tile, pay attention to any areas that may need new grout.
    • Polish all hardware on doors, cabinets, sinks and other fixtures. 
    • Clean windows and dust blinds or curtains.
    • Use fresh linens, drapes, towels and rugs where needed. 

    Everything else

    Ultimately, the goal of cleaning and staging a home is to create an environment where buyers can see themselves living there, not feel like they're visiting someone else's space. Since you're preparing to move anyway, spring cleaning is a great opportunity to get started on this while still keeping the home livable. 

    • Vacuum and spot-clean all upholstery as needed. 
    • Replace lightbulbs and clean light fixtures, especially in rooms with low natural night. 
    • Remove personal items, such as family photos and memorabilia.
    • Declutter countertops, shelves and closets to make spaces feel larger.
    • Store away unnecessary furniture to create an open and inviting layout.
    • Organize closets and cabinets, as buyers will likely peek inside.

    Final Touches

    Once everything is clean and organized, add finishing touches to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. You can do things like adding a simple, elegant table setting to the dining room or bringing a vase of fresh flowers to your entryway. By following this spring cleaning checklist, your home will be in top shape for potential buyers. A clean, well-presented home not only sells faster but can also help you get the best possible price. Happy selling!

    Login to my Baird & Warner account

    Pixel