In the past few months Use What You Have has been working with more and more clients who are interested in updating their homes in preparation for resale – when the real estate market strengthens a bit more. Perhaps the fact that spring will be arriving in a few weeks has something to do with the increased focus on home improvement, too.

Whether you are thinking about selling your house or apartment now, or in a few years, here are a few things you can do to get your place in Resale-Ready® shape, too:

1. Be sure the paint and trim is in good condition, inside and outside. Touch up where needed.
2. Check to see that all light bulbs (CFLs or halogen) are working. If you haven’t already made the switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, now would be the ideal time.
3. Clear the clutter from the floor and all horizontal surfaces. Leave only the best and most useful pieces on display.
4. Fix anything that is broken.
5. Clean out the garage and organize whatever is left. First, be sure that the garage floor is in good condition and put on a new coat of sealer, if needed.
6. See if your mailbox is in good order. Does it need to be painted or leveled?
7. Be sure the lawn is raked and the landscaping is tidy (once the snow melts!).
8. Are your wood floors in need of sanding and polyurethane? Does your tile work need new grouting? Do your rugs/carpets need to be cleaned?
9. Remove any extraneous furniture. Less furniture can make a space feel more open and airy.
10. Check to see that your home looks and smells clean.

Once you’ve done all of the above, put out some fresh flowers, fluff your pillows and you’ll be ready to show your home to its next owners.