The spring cleaning jobs that will boost your home’s value

We may sound like a broken record but property presentation really does matter when you’re trying to attract buyers and achieve the best price for your home. Presentation jobs ahead of a sale fall into four categories: repairs, redecoration, decluttering and cleaning.

It is the latter that can have the biggest impact for the lowest cost, as newly released research confirms. Tradesperson website HaMuch analysed whether a home’s value could increase if the owners carried out a thorough deep clean. 

It found a property’s house price could increase by 2.8% when it’s spic and span. In monetary value, that’s around an extra £8,000, based on the Nationwide’s latest average house price of £271,316.

An even bigger price uplift can be achieved if attention is also turned to the outside. HaMuch discovered a clean and tidy garden can increase a home’s value by 10% - adding more than £27,000.

There is a degree of psychology at play when linking the cleanliness of a home with its value. A spotless, sparkling property gives the impression it’s well cared for with less maintenance work to do once moved in. In turn, this makes buyers more confident when considering making an offer.

If you are thinking of placing your home on the market, a spot of spring cleaning will always be appreciated. Deciding where to start can feel overwhelming, so we have used our years of property presentation and marketing experience to direct your efforts.

Front of house

The exterior is the first thing people see when they look online and arrive for a viewing, so it’s a good place to start. Smeary windows are really off-putting, especially on sunny days, so use a ready-made cleaner or natural vinegar and water solution, finishing with a squeegee, to make them sparkle.

If you have any paths or steps, jet washing them will drastically improve appearances and remove slippery moss. Finally, dirt can quickly build up on your front door so wash this down. If you are feeling particularly thorough, polish any brassware to a lustrous shine. 

Deposits…of all kinds

Some of the grimiest dirt can be found inside the home and leaving it in situ can be a real turn off. Deposits you should remove include mildew, mould, limescale and grease, concentrating on bathrooms and kitchens.

Deposits in the garden should also be tackled. Patios and decking can look like new if you jet wash using a specially formulated cleaner that removes green mould, moss, algae and lichen. Other deposits, in the form of animal fouling, should also be picked up and disposed of.

All fingers and thumbs

Sellers should avoid opening their home while anything looks grubby. Hand marks and finger prints should be removed from surfaces, especially those at eye level. Concentrate your efforts on the areas around door handles, reflective surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens, TV screens, handrails and glass door panels.

Purge the particles

Dust and fluff are not what potential buyers want to see when they’re touring your home, so wipe down surfaces including skirting boards, shelves, mantlepieces and those annoying little gaps between bannisters. If you have any pets, use a lint roller to remove strands from sofas, cushions and bed linen.

Odour elimination

Dirt isn’t only what’s visible to the eye. It’s also what our noses detect and unpleasant whiffs will certainly leave the wrong impression. Your whole home should be aired before a viewing by opening windows but sellers should go the extra mile. Ensure there are no blocked plugholes and drains, flush loos and treat with bleach, remove litter trays and pet food bowls, and take out bin bags.

Now is a great time to get a valuation for your home and prepare your property for a spring or summer sale. Contact us to book an appointment and for sales advice.