The spring real estate market is picking up. Is your home ready for the many buyers who will see it in the coming days? It's imperative that your home stands out among all of the others so you'll get the best offer possible. Don't leave one stone unturned -- inside or out -- when it comes to spring home maintenance and preparation. Here's a checklist to help you prepare:

Home exterior courtesy of Roof Real Clean

On the outside:

Lawn: Clean up the lawn following the frigid winter. To prevent weeds, lay down an herbicide. Check that your in-ground sprinkler system is still working.

Decks/patios: Sweep off the deck and patio to remove any debris. Clean, stain and reseal your deck. Hose down your patio to get back to the original layer.

Exterior wall: Look for trouble areas following the cold winter months and climate conditions. Water stains mean your gutters aren't handling runoff well, for example. Look for holes, cracks and other issues and repair as needed.

Roof: Any cracked or missing shingles? How is your roof deck performing following any ice dams? Address any issues to keep your roof in top shape.

Chimney: If you have a stone chimney, check to see how the bricks are doing. Look for efflorescence, a white calcium deposit that means your chimney is absorbing water. Reseal chimney if needed.

Gutters and downspouts: Clean the gutters and make sure downspouts are in the right position so they direct water away from your house. You can hire a professional to clean your gutters for between $100 and $200 to avoid injury.

Home interior courtesy of JFC Real Estate Development, LLC

Inside the house:

Windows: Check caulking and weather stripping and replace as needed.

Leaks: Check for leaky faucets, clogged drains and broken pipes. Look for any puddles around the dishwasher. Call a plumber to perform repairs if needed.

Attics: Search for pests and mold and repair as necessary. Proper insulation and good ventilation will prevent more problems, so you might add a new layer around the attic floor.

Air conditioning unit: Change the filter, check for leaks around the house and make sure the drain pan is working correctly. Vacuum all the dust away and have an air conditioning professional perform any necessary repairs.

"Spring" cleaning: Your house should be in tip-top shape to welcome the new season. To get out the last of the cold and welcome the warmth, you should:

• Dust window frames, wood furniture, ceiling fans and areas above the cabinetry.
• Vacuum furniture and carpet; steam clean if needed.
• Wash cabinets and walls.
• Clean tile and repair any missing grout.

Conclusion

This is only a portion of the spring checklist you might have for your home, but it focuses on the major areas that may need work following a frigid winter. You never know how much damage snow and ice may have caused to your roof or attic, and you don't want your air conditioning system to fail halfway through the warm months ahead. Tackle the problem areas now as spring begins. Then you can work to update and stage rooms for the spring market ahead.

Photos courtesy of DesignMine