Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

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  • What Type of Patio Furniture is Best for You?

    A carefully planned outdoor patio will get used more, and it can turn into a lovely gathering space when the weather cooperates. In order to create this kind of sanctuary, you need a welcoming, sunny space with enough room, good food, libations and the best patio furniture for your needs and budget. You don’t have to spend a fortune to achieve this, but you should not skimp on quality, durability or comfort, either.

    Choosing the Best Patio Furniture

    Before shopping for patio furniture, know first that form needs to follow function. In other words, how do you plan to use the patio? Some homeowners will want a top-of-the line barbecue and a table for eight as the focal points for entertaining. Others will lean more towards soft chairs they can sink into, and a more romantic ambience.

    Couches, side tables and fire pits are perfect for outdoor dining and cocktail parties. If there is enough room, you can set up a conversation area plus a separate reading nook that can serve as a small, private refuge. Can’t decide? There is no reason why you can’t create a versatile outdoor patio that does it all (or almost all), even with limited space.

    Patio Furniture Priorities

    Continuing along the function theme, outdoor living is all about relaxation, so your patio furniture should be easy to care for. Heavy and bulky pieces are hard to move, frustrating to clean and they can rust. Opt for all-weather wicker, cedar, teak or metal instead. To make your patio seating more comfortable, choose some cozy outdoor cushions or pillows with removable covers.

    You can even add a rustic outdoor blanket when the temperatures dip down; just remember to take everything in before it rains. Speaking of which, you can pick up an inexpensive outdoor storage bin to toss the cushions in when you need to. Keep them inside during the cold winter months if that applies to your region, however.

    Once you have moved on to the shopping phase, it is wise to try out the seating before buying. Remember, it all has to look and feel appealing. Some patio sets have plush cushions included, so make sure that the fabrics are weather- and fade-resistant. Of course, they won’t last forever, but higher quality means longer-lasting comfort and durability.

    Best Patio Furniture Materials

    Many people prefer wood patio furniture for its rustic, homey look. Choose durable, water-resistant grains like eucalyptus or teak, otherwise you may have to seal the furniture every year. Wood furniture may also be prone to cracking, splitting and rotting over time.

    Some of the best patio furniture is made from aluminum, which is lightweight, easy to clean and does not rust. Look for pieces with UV-resistant finishes, powder coating, seamless welds and rust-proof hardware.

    Wrought-iron patio furniture is definitely heavier, but it is lighter and more modern than old-fashioned versions. Still, it is harder to move because of its weight.

    Best Patio Furniture for Small Spaces

    Is your patio on the small side? Worry not; Southern Living emphasizes that size is not an indicator of greatness. Do not put large or bulky patio furniture on smaller patios and balconies, as this will overcrowd them. Find furniture that suits your space. No matter how much room you’re working with, start by picking a statement piece to serve as a focal point, and accessorize from there.

    A wicker lounge chair can be a lovely way to start, and you can add a side table, potted plants and a footrest. This can be just enough in tiny spaces, offering a nice little escape when you need it. Small loveseats also look nice, as does seating with built-in storage on the bottom, like a bench. A bar-height dining set with two or four chairs is a great way to open up the space. You can also try folding chairs, which do not take up a lot of room.

    Working within Your Budget

    Patio furniture can be expensive, so you may want to set a budget before making purchases. While it is fine to purchase a few inexpensive resin tables or chairs for when you need extra seating, these should not be your main pieces. Buying cheap pieces can be wallet-friendly at first, but before you know it, you will have to buy things all over again.

    Bargain-priced wood, metal and wicker can also be ready for the trash after just a few years. Do your research before buying, and look for patio furniture that is well-reviewed and affordable. You can spend less on accessories, like lighting, outdoor rugs, plants, cushions and blankets. Also seek out furniture that can serve multiple purposes. This is another good way to save money on outdoor patio furniture.

  • Hedge and Shrubbery Ideas for Private Backyard Spaces

    Some people call hedges “living fences,” because both fences and hedges serve as privacy barriers. Hedges are certainly nicer to look at, and are quite easy to care for most of the time. Along with shrubs, they can provide the finishing touches on your backyard landscaping. The greenery is much more elegant than a fence, and it creates a more intimate space to enjoy with family and friends.

    You can plant hedges to mark your property lines and line your driveway. Along with shrubs, they can highlight parts of your grounds, like a garden or patio. There are more benefits to hedges and shrubs, too. They can create sound barriers, wind barriers and reduce the amount of snow that comes onto your property.

    Choosing the Right Trees for Hedges

    Hedge trees can be divided into two main categories. Evergreens keep their color throughout the year, and they are excellent for providing privacy, as well as noise and snow reduction. Deciduous trees change colors and may have flowers, but they lose their leaves in the cold weather. Your choices will depend on the type of climate you live in.

    If you want your hedge to be tall, the Green Giant Arborvitae and American Arborvitae can both soar up to 60 feet high. The Green Giant can grow about 3 feet a year, while the American’s height increases more slowly. Both are hardy and easy to grow. The Nigra Arborvitae is not as tall, topping off at around 30 feet; the Emerald Arborvitate is the smallest of these two evergreen shrub hedges, at about 15 feet. Other evergreen trees that grow into nice, thick hedges include holly and boxwood.

    Using Shrubs as Hedges

    You can plant a row of shrubs in front of your evergreen trees for added interest, but shrubs can grow into hedges without the backdrop. There are many different varieties of hedge shrubs, and some produce lovely flowers that attract birds and butterflies. One of the most familiar is the Rose of Sharon, which flows beautifully when thriving. Another is the Golden Ticket Privet, which sports bright yellow leaves and white flowers.

    North Privet is another fast-growing shrub. The Scarlet Firethorn has a split personality; it grows as an evergreen in warm climates, but as a deciduous shrub in colder ones. It has thorny branches, white flowers and orange berries. It can also grow up to 18 feet tall.

    Planting Hedges and Shrubs

    Using a measuring tape and stakes, mark out the planting area, taking care to avoid utility lines. You can plant the trees or shrubs in a straight line, on a curve or however else you like. Know in advance how tall and wide your selected plants normally grow, and space out the potted shrubs accordingly.

    If you plan for two rows, your hedge will be much thicker and more private. Dig out the holes, and lower in the shrubs. Water them well, and add some mulch. Faster growers will fill in more quickly.

    Hedges and shrubs do not require a lot of maintenance, but you should be on the lookout for disease and pest infestations. You can keep them in shape with occasional pruning to remove dead growth. Many homeowners shear their hedges to give them formal appearances, while others prefer a more casual look. You can fertilize shrubs occasionally, but too much of this will increase growth and the need for trimming perhaps more than you anticipated.

    Shrub Design Ideas

    Shrubs can grow into living fences, but they can also add character and beauty to your yard. If you have a larger yard, you can create focus areas with seating and flowers. Highlight this with a few well-placed shrubs along the borders. Shrubs can also serve as backdrops for other focal points, like sheds and light posts, and they can highlight flowers and rock arrangements.

    Not all shrubs are large, so you can place smaller ones along paths to outline them. If you like flowering varieties, pick a few colors that complement one another. These can also be coordinated with your hedges. Alternatively, you can plant larger green shrubs behind smaller, flowering ones for depth and contrast.

    Many varieties of trees and shrubs change color throughout the year, and this should be kept in mind when planting. Imagine fiery orange and red leaves or white and purple flowers next to a dark green evergreen. With some dedicated thought and planning, you can design a backyard oasis that is private, relaxing and worth staying home for.

  • 7 Ways to Boost Natural Light—and Make Your Home Look Brighter

     

    There are a few things a home simply can’t have too much of: space, storage and sunlight. And while you can’t increase the square footage of your home without taking on a major renovation, there are some easy decorating and cleaning tricks that can make your home look brighter. Incorporating some strategically placed mirrors, choosing the best wall paint and finding the right window treatments can all help increase the natural sunlight in your home. One added bonus of bouncing more sunlight around a room: more light can actually make the space feel bigger. Try some of the tips below to make your home feel bigger and brighter—without the reno.

    Optimize your mirror placement.

    You’ve probably heard this design trick before: Add mirrors to a room to bounce the light. But for the best effect, you’ll want to place the mirror across from a window, angled so that the natural light will be reflected toward the darkest area of the room. New, clean mirrors will reflect the most light, but even antique mirrors with patina will work.

    Choose shiny surfaces.

    Similar to mirrors, glossy surfaces can help reflect light in a room. Stainless-steel appliances and sleek white cabinets will make a kitchen feel brighter. In a living room, try adding some metallic or mirrored accents, especially on the shelves or tables positioned closest to the windows.

    Lighten up your window treatments.

    Even if you pull them open every morning, those dark velvet drapes hanging beside your windows aren’t going to help the room look brighter. In the spring and summer, swap out heavy curtains for light, airy ones. If privacy is a concern, pair a gauzy white curtain with blinds or a roller shade you can close at night.

    Pick the best paint.

    Paint holds a lot of power in the design of a room—it can make it look cleaner, more relaxing and, yes, even brighter. And, no surprise, when it comes to hue, cool shades of white and pastels will make the room look lighter. To make sure you’ve chosen the best color, leave paint splotches on the wall for at least 24 hours, so you can see how the color looks in the light throughout the day.

    Where we often go wrong is when choosing the paint finish. Like mirrors and glossy surfaces, shinier paint will reflect more light. Opt for satin rather than flat wall paint, and choose semi-gloss or gloss for the molding and trim. But be careful: glossier paints will also betray any imperfections in the wall.

    Trim the trees.

    If your living room or bedroom is darker than it was a few years ago, the trees, bushes or vines outside may be to blame. Consider hiring a tree-trimming service. They will help cut back light-blocking branches, without harming the tree or making it look lopsided.

     

    © Meredith Operations Corporation. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

  • Beekeeping Ideas for Your Backyard

    Have you ever dreamed of being a beekeeper? Beekeeping for beginners is a rewarding and fascinating hobby. Bees are some of the most interesting creatures on the planet, and they help the environment. The honey they produce is just the icing on the cake – or the sweetener in your tea or yogurt. By raising bees, you can enjoy the rewards, all while giving back to your community and encouraging nature to do what it does best.

    Bees pollinate almonds, apples, blueberries and other crops. Without these buzzing insects, there would be much less food variety. Sadly, honeybee populations around the world have been declining in the recent past, due to parasites, pesticides and colony collapse disorder. Homeowners who build bee colonies in their backyards can help rebuild the bee population, and it is an exciting, rewarding hobby. 

    Beehives and Backyards

    You only need about a quarter of an acre to raise bees. A beehive requires about 10 feet of space on all sides, and it should face the southeast, with plenty of morning sun and afternoon shade. There should be a water source within a quarter of a mile from the hive, as well. A birdbath or shallow pan filled with H2O will suffice.

    The hive should be carefully placed so that the bees’ flight path is 15 to 20 yards away from where people congregate. If a neighbor’s yard crosses that path, for instance, you will need to put the hive elsewhere. You can also build a fence or keep the hive near a tall hedge. This way, the bees will fly up and over it, away from people. Bees also like sandy slopes and rocks for relaxing.

    Another way to keep the bees in your backyard is to plant a garden. Your own plants will thrive, because bees pollinate so many kinds of plants and flowers. Learn about what other kinds they like, and get to work planting them. Many home gardeners add beehives for this very reason.

    Getting the Right Kind of Hive

    Choosing the right kind of beehive requires careful consideration, and you can get plenty of opinions by asking other beekeepers. Man made beehives are generally fabricated out of wood, but they can be made from other materials, like polystyrene. The top-bar-style hive has a long box with bars on top, and the bees construct their honeycombs downward from the bars. These hives are relatively lightweight and easy to assemble. They do need to be elevated from the ground.

    The second type of beehive is the Warré, also based on a top-bar layout. This one is more vertical, though, and there are no foundation sheets or frames. Some beekeepers feel that these hives resemble nature beehives more closely.

    Langstroth hives are the most common kind of beehive, and they consist of various stacking boxes and frames. The parts are removable, and beekeepers can move them easily. The lowest box is where the queen lays her eggs.

    What Else Do Beekeepers Need?

    Beekeeping is not an expensive hobby when compared to other pastimes like bicycling or collecting antiques. The hive shouldn’t cost a tremendous amount, but you may want to start out with two hives, rather than one, which will add to your costs. Other necessary beekeeping equipment includes a hive tool, which looks like a miniature crowbar. This is used to pull out the frames and scrape off wax.

    You will also need a veil and gloves. Look for veils that have the most mesh for improved ventilation, and the gloves should stretch up past your elbows to keep them protected. Buy extras for family members and friends. A smoker is another important tool. It is used to burn things like pine needles and direct the smoke toward the bees. This actually calms them down.

    As for the bees, you can get about three pounds (10,000 live bees) for $120. You can order them from beekeepers, and the bees can live for up to seven days while in transit. Certain species are not recommended for beginners, so read the descriptions carefully and ask around before placing your order. Also, do not buy used equipment as a cost-saving mechanism, because it can have diseases or bacteria.

    Be Considerate of Your Neighbors

    Happy beekeepers often want to expand their colonies, but the size of the backyard and other factors will determine whether this is possible. As a rule, there should be no more than three colonies on a quarter-acre property. So if you have one acre, you could theoretically have 12 beehives. Do not do this all at once – the expansion has to be more gradual.

    If your neighbors do not seem thrilled with your bee colonies, try winning them over with some jars of honey. Some people may seem standoffish, but they might actually just be afraid. Be open about the beekeeping, and offer to answer their questions with patience and a smile.

     

     

     

  • Ask A Pro – Yellow House Curb Appeal

    Max Wilker, Style Director at Better Homes and Gardens, helps chose colors to give a yellow house a new look.

    Question:

    My house has light yellow siding and navy blue shutters but I’m wanting to change things up to better fit my style. I’ve thought a lot about black shutters but I’m not sure how that would look? And then I can’t decide on a door color. I’ve thought about white, black, red, or dark purple/eggplant.

    Answer:

    We have similar tastes as I have a yellow house, white trim and front porch, and dark royal blue shutters!

    To change up your curb appeal, maybe think about warm, charcoal gray shutters as they won’t be as bold as black shutters. Give your trim a fresh coat of white paint. For a front door, you could go with a stained, warm medium wood tone or look for a bright, navy blue paint. I’d go with brass or gold hardware on the door and porch lights for a fresh, modern twist. If you have space for a couple of planters by the front door, go with white planters/containers to match the trim and fill with red blooms for an extra pop of color.

    Cheers and have fun with color, Max.

  • Have a Fantastic Father’s Day

    Have a fantastic Father’s Day with these fun activities, delicious recipes, and of course, great gift ideas that will be sure to put a smile on his face. 

    Father’s Day Activities  

    • Host a movie night in the backyard and watch your dad’s favorite movie. Don’t forget to bring his favorite snacks. Discover how to create a cinema in your backyard and read our top-notch movie suggestions here.  
    • No matter what your father likes, make sure you reserve some time for Dear Ol’ Dad. Whether it’s fishing, painting, board games, golfing, or gardening, set aside some time to do what he enjoys.  
    • Create your own backyard bowling alley. Paint ten 2-liter soda bottles and line them up. Then grab a tennis ball or softball and get the game rolling. 
    • Create your own version of ring toss. Grab 2-3 different sized buckets and drill or nail them into a fence or wooden post. Then all you need is ping pong balls, pool rings, or anything else you can try to toss into the bucket. The more difficult the bucket the more points you get.  

    • Spend quality time outdoors with these awesome yard games.  
    • Bean bag ladder toss. Set up a ladder outside and take several steps back. Take your bean bags and try to throw them between the rungs. Each opening can be worth a different amount of points. 

    Gift Ideas for Dad  

    • Make dad a playlist. Gather all of his favorite songs and compile an awesome playlist that mean something to both of you. Here are some feel-good songs he will enjoy.  
    • If you can’t celebrate in person, order his favorite dessert or food and have it delivered to him. Nothing says “I love you” like a plate full of someone’s favorite meal.  

    Father’s Day Recipes 

    Let There be Dad Jokes  

    Write a bunch of your favorite dad jokes on sticky-notes and post them all over your home. Nothing says I love you like a ton of silly jokes.  

    • If you want to go fishing, just let minnow. Fishing you a Happy Father’s Day!  
    • You’re the gratest Dad in the world! Sorry if that sounds cheesy.  
    • How does a penguin build a house? Igloos it together.  
    • How can you tell it’s a dogwood tree? By the bark.  
    • Never buy anything with velcro, it’s a total rip-off.  
    • What happens to an illegally parked frog? It gets toad. 

  • How to Flip Houses as a Side Hustle

    It’s hard to miss the cultural movement of home improvement that has swept the nation in the last decade or so. Countless television shows teach beginners how to DIY everything from bathroom cabinets to renovated basements, and the hosts of such programs have become household names. Learning how to flip houses for beginners is a bit more complicated than you might expect, however.

    Still, now is a great time to learn. Thanks in part to stay-at-home orders and the increasing popularity of telecommuting, there’s never been a better opportunity to put your thinking cap on and acquire skills that can help you invest in properties to flip. Equal parts challenging and rewarding, flipping homes as a side hustle can be a lucrative pursuit. It also requires a great deal of effort and planning.

    Consider Your Location

    Where you live, or where you plan to purchase your first investment property, matters. Southern Living explains that some cities, like Tampa, Florida or Birmingham, Alabama, are good places to buy a home to flip. Coastal Living echoes this sentiment, saying that Tampa is the best city on the coast to flip a home. Consider cost of living, the activity in the housing market, and the purchase price of an investment property before you move forward. 

    Don’t be fooled by low property prices. Sometimes, houses are cheap, but you won’t have much luck reselling them once they’re fixed up. Generally speaking, a lower-priced home in a hot real estate market is a good investment opportunity. However, it pays to talk to local real estate agents and contracts for more information before taking the plunge. 

    Similarly, if you’re planning to buy a home in an area popular with seasonal vacationers, but without much local population presence, be prepared to rent the home for part of the year and either occupy it or find a property manager for the remainder of the year.

    Know What You Can Afford

    When you’re first getting started flipping homes, you should have a firm sense for what you can afford before you begin. If you already own a home of your own, don’t overextend yourself financially. Just because a bank is willing to extend your credit or open a second mortgage for you doesn’t mean you should sign on the dotted line if it won’t be sustainable. In many cases, a bank will prequalify you for a mortgage amount far higher than what you can comfortably afford, so proceed with caution.

    Additionally, renovation costs are a critical consideration before you buy a home. Have the home assessed, both traditionally and by a contractor you have vetted. Find out the value of the home, and then let your contractor tell you how much it would cost to get the work done that the home requires. Take this into consideration when making an offer on the home.

    For instance, if you can purchase a house for $150,000, but it will need $100,000 worth of renovations to be reasonably successful on the market, be sure the market in its area will bear a $250,000 home of its type. 

    Realistically, though, you’ll need to expect your renovation costs to far exceed whatever you’ve budgeted for, so add ample space in your budget. Unexpected costs are not just common—they’re essentially inevitable. In addition, you want to make a profit on the home. As such, your $150,000 fixer-upper might really need to sell for $300,000 to be worth your while. 

    Make it a Blank Slate

    When you’re flipping a home or buying a rental or investment property, you should keep in mind that you’re not the one who is going to live there. Part of the joy of house flipping is, of course, pouring your heart and soul into the design and the process as a whole. However, you should avoid major design trends or bold statements in your renovations that would turn off potential buyers.

    Trending ideas, like bold paint colors or a farmhouse kitchen, are certainly very popular. If they’re doing well in your market, it’s okay to consider them. However, once you are done with the renovation process and you’re ready to list the house on the market, or offer it up to renters, the usual rules of selling apply. 

    By allowing buyers or renters to imagine themselves in the space, you’re more likely to make a quick sale. This means clean, fresh looks without too many trending light fixtures or window treatments. Keep things basic and you’re more likely to enjoy a healthy return on your investment in less time.

  • Décor Ideas for Cluttered Homes

    When you have a cluttered home, decorating your space may be the farthest thing from your mind. With too many knick-knacks on display and a generally mismatched and overwhelmed aesthetic, your home may feel stressful and anxiety-inducing. Still, take heart: even if you don’t have time right now to fully declutter your home, there are ways you can decorate your space to encourage clarity and enjoy a more restful vibe.

    Less is More

    As you begin your decorating journey, remember that less is more. This is nearly always true in design, but is particularly essential when you are already dealing with a cluttered space. Aim for simple patterns and colors that match what you already have (or match as much of it as possible). Avoid busy paintings, curtains with zigzags, and striking accent chairs.

    If you have a knick-knack shelf, now is the time to clear it. Put back only those trinkets you really care about. If you are having a hard time deciding, don’t feel the need to KonMari your entire space right now. Instead, try rotating the items seasonally, so each treasured item gets displayed. This minor act of letting go will allow you a bit less clutter in sight at any given time. 

    Any knick-knacks that have functions of their own should be removed from service as mere display objects and returned to their job. That beautiful bud vase from your grandmother? Stash it where you keep gardening supplies and pull it out when you have fresh-cut flowers. No need to leave it sitting empty on your mantel at all times.

    Stick to Design Schemes

    If you simply can’t part with any of your clutter at this particular juncture, try organizing it to create a more unified look. For instance, perhaps you have a collection of antique books. Rather than keep them all on display in one place, sort them by color. Place all the red books in one room where they match the décor, and situate the purple books elsewhere where they will make an impact.

    You can create similar design schemes throughout your home. By grouping like items together, your brain more easily views them as a unit, yielding a calming effect. Try pairing items by color, pattern, size, or type.

    You should also give the classic triangle décor layout a try. Group like items and then display them on shelves in a triangle layout, so that three similarly sized, colored, or textured patterns form a triangle when you view the area from a distance. Continue creating triangles for a visually appealing design scheme.

    Use Clever Storage

    The world of storage has become chock full of options—colors, sizes, patterns, and textures galore are available. Take advantage of these choices when decorating your cluttered home. Choose a tan woven basket to tame all of your throw pillows. It makes a statement in the corner of your living room, while minimizing the distraction a variety of pillows might cause.

    For smaller trinkets, use vases or jars to corral and store. Place your candles, seashells, or thimbles in an elegant container and allow it to become a focal point of its own. This technique works well if your home’s clutter includes small storage containers, since you can declutter by using items you already own.

    Other ways to declutter your home while decorating include choosing pieces that do double duty. For instance, a good storage ottoman with clean lines works wonders in a messy living room. An elegant sideboard with hidden drawers or cabinets makes a congested dining room feel much more sophisticated. In a bedroom, a hope chest or even under-bed storage can be pleasing to the eye while also allowing you to stash belongings you aren’t yet ready to part with.

    Use the Power of Vertical Lines

    When organizing a cluttered home, let height work to your advantage. Floating shelves can display your entire knick-knack collection as high on your wall as you like. Tall bookshelves, especially corner units, allow you to corral all of your trinkets without a large footprint. 

    In a crowded kitchen, create visual interest with above-cabinet storage or even a pot rack over your island or stove. This lends a rustic aesthetic that can be appealing if done properly. However, you should avoid simply stashing unwanted kitchen junk in places that are highly visible. Doing so in a highly trafficked room can create a great deal of visual stress.

  • Ask a Pro – Backyard Privacy with Ivy

    Looking for the best way to add privacy to your backyard? Carson Arthur answers this question about the best way to tackle this DIY.

    Question:

    I’ve got a large yard with neighbors on each side. We have an aluminum fence around the perimeter, but it doesn’t offer any privacy. As I look into trees and bushes, I am curious about ivy. Seems like it might be less expensive and not take up the precious real estate that shrubs would. Does that seem like a good option? There are so many different ivies, is there a particular type that would work best?

    Answer:

    Great question. I love the idea that you are using the existing fence to create some privacy.  I would definitely consider a few vines. My personal favorite is Virginia Creeper. It requires very little effort and has fantastic red foliage in the fall. Partner this with a few white Clematis and you will have a thick, show stopping privacy wall that provides interest all season long. – Carson Arthur 

  • Essential Move-Out Cleaning Projects

    Think of the cleaning projects that are essential before you move out as spring (or fall) cleaning on steroids. While there may not be financial repercussions from not completing move-out cleaning when you sell a home in the same way there are when you’re a renter, it’s the right thing to do. 

    A renter may lose their security deposit if move-out cleaning isn’t up to snuff, although unmet cleaning provisions in sales agreements aren’t usually considered enough to halt a sale or get you a retroactive price reduction.

    Still, what goes around comes around, so the best advice is to leave your old home as clean as you hope your new one will be. These tips to sell your home are just as important as setting the right listing price or choosing a good real estate agent.

    Cleaning Includes Repairs

    Of course, you’re not just cleaning, you’re also doing minor repairs. That includes removing all the picture nails and screws you’ve installed and filling them in. Bonus points if you touch up damaged paint as well. While you’re making the rounds of a room, use an extender pole to mop ceiling corners where spiderwebs can hide. They can appear overnight, so even if you did this before listing your home, it’s best to do it again. 

    Hopefully prior to putting your home on the market you took down all your ceiling light fixtures, cleaned the globes, and replaced the bulbs with long-life, energy-efficient LEDs. If so, your ceiling fixtures should only need dusting by move-out time. If washing the ceiling fixtures was something you forgot, add it to the move-out cleaning list.

    Windows, Baseboards, and Door Frames

    Even if you washed all your window ledges prior to listing, you’re going to need to give them another quick swipe, along with light switchplates and door handles. In fact, trim around the house will probably need another quick wipedown, including baseboards and door frames. 

    Any blinds you’re leaving behind will need cleaning, too. If you took them down and washed them thoroughly before listing, you may be able to get away with a quick vacuuming. If not, fill your bathtub with warm water, add some laundry detergent, and immerse your vinyl blinds in the tub. Let them soak for half an hour or so and they should be clean.

    Carpet Cleaning Basics

    If you had your carpets cleaned prior to listing, vacuuming and spot treatment of any new spots is all that should be necessary. If you want to get depression marks out of the carpet where furniture has been positioned, use a steam iron to raise the carpet pile. Hold the iron six inches or so above the carpet while gently brushing the fibers. A hair pick works well on higher-pile carpets.

    Kitchen and Bathroom Cleaning

    The kitchen and bathroom will still take most of your cleaning energy. Wipe the fronts, insides, and cupboard shelves with a disinfectant cleanser and remove all shelf paper. Wipe down all drawers as well in both rooms.

    In the bathroom, don’t forget to clean the mirror and the inside of the medicine cabinet, as well as the entire tub surround. Vacuum the exhaust fan, too.

    All three major kitchen appliances will need cleaning again, but hopefully the oven, stove, and dishwasher have all been recently cleaned, so these won’t be major tasks. Still, you should pull both the fridge and the stove out from the wall and clean behind them, as well. Vacuum the exhaust fan and replace the filter if it’s really greasy.

    Bedrooms and Common Spaces

    Bedrooms and your living room, dining room, and family room should only need to be dusted, swept, or vacuumed. If applicable, you can also mop the floors. Don’t miss the baseboard and trim cleaning here, either.

    Exterior Cleaning Projects

    Don’t forget to clear out everything from the garage, wipe down any shelving units you’re leaving behind, and sweep the floor.

    Depending on the season, exterior moving-out cleaning projects will include grass cutting, weed pulling, and removal of decorative objects like wind chimes and whimsical garden features you’ve accumulated over the years. 

    Don’t forget to sweep and, if possible, pressure-wash the porch. If you have vinyl siding, you might want to give it a quick once-over with the pressure washer, or even just a hose, as well. 

    Cleaning Approach

    There are two ways to approach a massive cleaning project like this: room by room or in a task-oriented method. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Cleaning on a room-by-room basis may give you a greater sense of satisfaction as you close the door behind a spotless room. It may be more efficient to wash all the windows from top to bottom in one continuous cycle, moving from room to room. Repeat for dusting and vacuuming.

    Whichever method you prefer, make sure you’re cleaning from top to bottom and back to front so you can easily get out of the house.