Kirsty’s Home Hints: Spring Cleaning to Sell Your Home

Hello, I'm Kirsty, looking after Customer Experience at Yorkshire Country Properties. Whether you’re all about countryside living or keen to revamp your interiors, I'm here to talk to you about all things home related! If you're buying, selling or simply seeking inspiration, I can help. This is our new regular blog series, so you’ll be seeing my face each month. Let's explore the beauty of Yorkshire living together.

Wednesday the 20th of March marks the first day of spring in the UK - hooray! The skies are getting lighter, days getting longer and hibernation season is coming to an end. As I look out of the YCP Experience Hub at our Knowle Grange site, I imagine the spring setting that will be there in a month’s time – I am so excited for what’s to come. You may be hosting loved ones for the Easter bank holiday weekend, wanting to revive the garden after a drizzly six months or gearing up to sell your home – whatever it is, it’s an ideal time to refresh, declutter and spring clean your home.

What is a spring clean?

Well, according to the Oxford dictionary, it's basically giving your place a good scrub from top to bottom and hitting all those nooks and crannies you usually ignore. Time to roll up those sleeves and get to it!

Why is it called spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning has deep cultural and historical roots; in the UK, homes once powered by coal and gas accumulated soot and dust over winter, prompting the need for a thorough clean as the days got lighter. Additionally, the Persian New Year (Nowruz) marks the start of spring, with a tradition of pre-New Year cleaning to bid farewell to the old year and embrace the new.

When should you start spring cleaning?

A good time to start would be the first day of spring – 20th of March! No need to stress, however, as you don’t have to do it all in one day. Why not tackle a room per week? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the tasks you have to do, so it is a good idea to break it down into smaller chunks.

Spring cleaning for selling your home

Welcome to the ultimate guide on getting your home in tip-top shape for that big sale! Let's face it – a bit of sparkle and shine can go a long way in winning over potential buyers. Here are my five top-tips:

1. Declutter for home selling success:

Remove any excess furniture and personal items (e.g. family photos) that might distract potential buyers. Create a clutter-free canvas for them to envision their dream home.

2. Clean every nook and cranny:

Grab your gloves and cleaning supplies because it's time to clean all the parts you’ve been neglecting! Give your home a thorough cleaning from top to bottom, including skirting boards, light fixtures and windows - pay extra attention to busy areas like the kitchen and bathrooms.

3. Transform the house with fresh wall colours:

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in transforming your space. Stick to neutral colours to appeal to a wider range of buyers and highlight the potential of the property.

4. Focus on the Kitchen and Bathrooms:

These rooms can really make or break a sale, so pay extra attention to them in your spring clean. Deep clean appliances, scrub the countertops and polish the bathroom fixtures until they gleam. Why not take some inspiration from professional cleaning company @jetlagremedy’s bathroom cleaning tips video?

5. Optimise your loft space:

Before you start packing up the rest of your home, tackle the mysterious abyss of the loft - you don't want to leave this until the last minute! This will make your move much easier and your loft a more attractive selling point. Plus, you might just unearth some long-lost treasures in the process!

Remember, there’s more to life than a sparkling home, but the act of decluttering and cleaning is excellent for your mental health. Clearing physical space can clear your mind too – so tidy up for a happier you!

As spring unfolds, consider the possibility of making a Yorkshire Country Properties home the backdrop for your seasonal refresh. With longer days ahead, picture yourself surrounded by the beauty of the Yorkshire countryside. We offer homes tailored to every lifestyle - from cosy 1-bed cottages to 5-bed family homes.

Why not visit our Experience Hub to chat to myself or my sales team colleagues? We’re here from 10am-5pm seven days a week. Welcome home to Yorkshire Country Properties – where every season brings new possibilities.

Q: What areas should I focus on during spring cleaning to enhance my home's appeal to buyers?

Pay attention to high-traffic areas such as the entryway, living room, kitchen and bathrooms.

Declutter and organise wardrobes, cabinets and storage spaces to showcase ample storage potential.

Deep clean carpets, floors, windows and surfaces to remove dirt, dust and grime.

Q: Should I consider hiring professionals for certain cleaning tasks?

Depending on your time, resources and expertise, hiring professionals for deep cleaning tasks like carpet cleaning, window-washing and cleaning exterior areas can get you superior results.

Professional cleaners may have specialised equipment and techniques to tackle tough stains and ensure a pristine finish, saving you time and effort.

Q: How can I maintain a clean and tidy appearance throughout the selling process?

Establish a regular cleaning schedule to keep your home in showcase-ready condition for potential buyers.

Implement daily habits such as making beds, wiping down surfaces and tidying up after yourself to maintain cleanliness.

Utilise storage solutions to keep personal items out of sight during viewings, creating a neutral canvas for buyers to envision themselves living in the space.