If you’re thinking about renting or selling your home sometime this year or need to get it ready for a big event such as a wedding or party, it’s important to give yourself enough time to get jobs done around the property, both inside and out. Read on for some top tips to spruce up your home and have it looking its best in no time.

Work on Curb Appeal

For starters, keep in mind that the first thing people see when they arrive at your property is the outside areas, particularly the front of your home. As such, it’s important to spend time increasing the curb appeal of your house. This can be done in numerous ways.

For example, the exterior of your home might need a fresh coat of paint or there could be windows, awnings or other pieces that need to be repaired or replaced. You can freshen up the entrance area by adding in a fence or fixing one that’s been neglected and by replacing or painting your front door and mail box. Fixtures such as door handles, outdoor blinds, lighting and the like may also need to be evaluated.

Work to get your gardens in shape, too. You may need to clean things up by cutting back overgrown plants, weeding and performing regular mowing of your lawn. You can also get the grass looking lush by fertilizing, watering, raking and aerating, so it gets better access to food, water and sunlight.

If you struggle to do any of these tasks yourself, you shouldn’t be afraid to hire help. Lawn care services in Austell, GA – or wherever else you may be located – come at reasonable rates. If your outdoor areas are bare, it might also be time to buy new turf and/or to plant a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers to liven things up.

Declutter and Clean

Next, when it comes to the interior of your home, it’s important to declutter. After all, if you’re like most people in the Western world, you have probably accumulated a huge amount of “stuff” which is making your house continually look messy, dirty, and far from its best. Once you clear out the clutter, people who come to your home will have a much better first impression. The property will seem more spacious, tidy and welcoming.

Go through each room in your house, including closets, basements, attics and garages to see what you can remove. You’ll probably find many items that are broken or otherwise damaged and which therefore can be thrown out or recycled. As well, donate or sell anything that your family has grown out of and doesn’t use, whether clothing, sporting goods, books, toys, homewares, furniture or other items.

Once you’ve scaled back on the number of possessions in your home, you’ll get a better understanding of what needs to be renovated or repaired. By decluttering, you will maximize the space in your home and be able to play up all of its positive features much better, too.

In addition, paring back will enable you to give each area of your home a good clean. Then, everything will sparkle and look newer and fresher. This will give visitors or potential buyers a much more favorable impression of you and your home.

Know What Visitors Are Looking For

Lastly, it’s important to know what guests, especially buyers, will pay attention to when they visit. This way, you can show off the property in a way that’s most likely to maximize appeal.

Before you go about doing any remodeling work to your home, be clear on what exactly potential owners want in your area. This can vary quite dramatically from suburb to suburb and from age group to age group. For instance, retirees will typically be looking for low-maintenance properties; while families will need as many bedrooms and as much storage space as possible; and young couples may be after additional office room, so they can work from home.

It pays to not only research sales statistics and other information online, but also to speak with real estate agents in your area who understand the suburb well. They’ll be able to give you a good idea of how to best set up your home.