Courtesy of
Megan Bourque
REALTOR®
587-897-3629

There's no better feeling than a clean, clutter-free house.

Planning a little spring cleaning this season? Here are some tips to help:

Declutter and donate first. There's no point in cleaning items you no longer want or use!
Start from the top. Begin by dusting the air vents, ceiling fans, and high-up cabinets. Do the floors last.
Go room by room. Use a checklist to ensure each space gets a deep clean.
Clean your appliances. Vacuum your refrigerator coils, run a load of bleach through your washer, and degrease that oven.

Don't forget the outside of your home, too. Clean up the garage, your shed, the yard, and other outdoor spaces.

Easy Ways to Save for a Down Payment

Worried you can't afford a down payment? Don't fret.

Here are three easy ways to start saving today:

Automate it. Have a few dollars from every paycheck direct-deposited into a separate savings account.
Stow those windfalls. Getting a tax refund or holiday bonus? Put them in an interest-earning savings account to boost your down payment fund.
Redirect. Maybe now is the time to kick that daily latte habit or stop smoking. Take the money you would have spent on those things and instead bank it!

You can also crowdfund your down payment using tools like GoFundMe. If you're getting married, down payment registries can also help.

The Home Repairs that Are Most Worth Your $$$

Not all home improvements are created equal.

Are you planning some home projects this year? Here are the ones most likely to recoup your money, according to Remodeling Magazine:

If your main goal is to increase your home's resale value, a Kitchen renovation, extra bathroom, or backyard patio are some of your best options.

If you are feeling ambitious, consider building a legal basement suite for extra revenue or help with the mortgage.

This alone can add up to $40,000 in value to your home.