Spring Cleaning Secrets: How to Prep Your Home for a Fast Sale 🌸

Happy Spring, everyone! 🌷I’ve been in a few transactions lately and wanted to share a quick refresher for homeowners getting ready to put their house on the market this season. When you live in a home every day, it’s easy to overlook small details—but trust me, your buyers won’t.

Here are a few often-forgotten (but hugely important) prep tips that will make your home sparkle this spring.

1. Power Wash Everything

Winter rain and wind leave grime behind. Give your:

• Driveway, sidewalks, patios, and walkways a deep clean with a power washer (you can find an affordable one on Amazon).

• Roof some attention too! Moss and debris make a roof look older in photos. Hire a professional power washer—it’s not worth risking the climb yourself.

2. Clear Out the Gutters

After heavy winter storms, gutters fill with leaves and dirt. A clogged gutter will almost always show up on a home inspection report, so clean them out early to avoid last-minute repair requests.

3. Trim, Tidy, and Tame the Yard

Spring growth can get out of control fast!

• Trim back trees touching your roof or house.

• Remove dead plants and weeds.

• Freshen up the landscaping for curb appeal.

These simple updates signal to buyers that your home has been well cared for.

4. Check Safety Items: Smoke & CO Detectors

In California, sellers must have working smoke and CO detectors installed before closing.✅

Make sure your detectors are:

• Less than 10 years old

• Have the installation date written on the back

• Contain fresh batteries

(Otherwise, you’ll be the one dealing with that lovely 3 AM “chirp” after inspection day.)

5. Replace Air Filters

Home inspectors always check this. Dirty filters make a home feel neglected.Switch to fresh, white filters—they look clean and photograph well.

6. Check Every Lightbulb

Yes—every single one. A burned-out bulb can trigger “inoperable” notes on the inspection, which buyers can confuse with electrical issues.

7. Watch Out for Critters

Spring brings the critters back to life:🐰 Bunnies in the garden🐀 Mice or rats in the attic🦇 Possums in garages🐜 Termites in the walls

Before you list, schedule:

• A termite inspection (especially in California)

• A pest check if you’ve noticed activity

And a friendly reminder—don’t leave traps or poison visible during showings. Buyers don’t love that.

8. Inspect the Sewer Line

It’s often overlooked but so important.After heavy rainfall, older pipes can shift or clog.

Hire a plumber to run a sewer scope inspection to ensure everything is in working order. Even if you’re not selling, it’s smart home maintenance.

9. Refresh Touchpoints

Inspect your home’s “high-touch” areas:

• Light switches

• Door handles

• Garage door opener buttons

Wipe off grime and smudges. A magic eraser works wonders on scuffed doors and baseboards. Small details = big impression.

10. Clean the Windows & Window Ledges

Dirty windows can look like failed seals to a home inspector.

• Wash the inside and outside glass.

• Vacuum out window sills where dead bugs collect.A little glass cleaner goes a long way!

11. Don’t Forget the Water Heater & A/C Condenser

These areas show your home’s true upkeep.

• Sweep or vacuum around your water heater.

• Remove cobwebs, bugs, and dust.

• Clear weeds and debris from around the A/C condenser outside.

Both are easy wins for a well-maintained look.

12. Repair and Refresh Exterior Details

Finally, walk around your home and note:

• Stucco cracks

• Worn paint on garage or entry doors

• Minor damage from winter storms

Touch up what you can. The goal is simple:

Helpful Resources

📋 Free Checklists:

• Home Staging Checklist

• Home Inspection Prep Checklist

You can grab both of these checklists on this page of my website.

These tools walk you through every detail that helps your property show—and sell—its best.