There's still time for home improvement projects this summer. Here are a few August maintenance tips to make Belleville homes for sale look their best.

• Carpets
  Over the years, you've gotten so used to the dirt and stains on your carpets that you barely notice them. To potential buyers, though, they're a major turnoff. Rent a steam cleaner and give all your carpets a thorough, deep clean.
  
  
• Hard Floors
  If you have vinyl or laminate floors with modular planks, look for any areas that are scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged, and swap them out for new planks. If you have wood flooring, use wood filler to repair damage, then sand it down and stain it.
  
  
• HVAC Maintenance
  It's important to make sure your air conditioner and furnace are in good condition. Start by changing the filter. Then, clean the vent covers to remove the accumulated dust. After that, take an electrostatic dust mop with a long handle and clean the tops of your ceiling fan blades. Finally, call an HVAC technician to examine the system and ensure that it's running efficiently and effectively. Doing all of this will ensure clean air and good airflow through your home, which will create a pleasant, comfortable environment for people coming to view your home.
  
  
• Yardwork
  The outside of your home is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it needs to look neat and tidy. Mow the lawn and continue doing so every week as long as you're showing your house. If you don't have a sprinkler system with a regular schedule, be sure to water the lawn, flowers, and plants in the yard regularly as well. Trim any bushes or hedges, and if you have any large trees, hire a tree trimmer to keep them in check. And if there are any dead plants, dig them up and get rid of them. Try to do any yard work either early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hot August weather.
  
  
• Door Knobs and Hinges
  Do your hinges squeak? Do the doors stick or have problems opening and closing? Go through all the doors in your home, tighten the screws on the hinges, then give them a little bit of WD-40. If there are any problems with the door knobs, tighten those too, and clean them with a dust cloth and a little bit of dish liquid.
  
  
• Kitchen
  Cooking makes things dirty quickly. Remove the covers on the stove burners and give the burners a thorough scrubbing. Then clean the covers in the sink with warm, soapy water. If you have a self-cleaning oven, put it through the cleaning cycle, then wipe away the ashy residue once it's done. If you have a hood above your stove with a filter and fan, clean that thoroughly, too. Remove the filter and clean it with hot water, dish soap, and baking soda. Clean the outside of the hood as well. Finally, clean the inside of your microwave. Heat a bowl of lemon water in it first, which will help loosen the caked-on grime. Then scrub it down, inside and out, and put the turntable in the dishwasher.

These tips are just the beginning. Our real estate agents can help you put your home in the best light so it sells quickly, for a good price, and without hassle. Contact us to learn more!