Preparing Your Home for the Sale Process

Exterior

• Repair/repaint gutters and downspouts
• Repair/repaint fences
• pressure wash driveway and oil stains from garage floor
• Wash all windows
• Trim trees, hedges, shrubs
• Weed and feed lawn
• Remove all clutter (garden tools, toys, etc.) less is more!

Entrance

• Check working order of doorbell and exterior light
• Replace welcome mat
• Repair/repaint front door
• Clear interior entry of all clutter
• Clear and clean out front hall closet

Living / Dining / Family / Bedrooms

• Repaint or touch up walls and ceilings that are the focal point when entering a room
• Repaint rooms when looking worn by beds and dressers
• Repaint or wash up baseboards and crown molding
• Shampoo or replace carpet and/or wash and wax floors
• Remove excess or large furniture
• Clean curtains, shutters, blinds, etc.
• Clean fireplace, mantle, shelving
• Replace old bedspreads

Kitchen / Baths

• Repair or replace faucets and fixtures
• Repaint or re-paper walls
• Thoroughly clean range/oven, refrigerator and other appliances
• Clear out and clean cabinets, drawers, and medicine chests
• Remove clutter from counter tops
• Clean or replace curtains
• Grout tubs and showers
• Replace old toilet seats and shower curtains

General

• Replace burned-out light bulbs
• Clear cobwebs from corners and doorways
• Wash light switches, hand rails, and doorknobs
• Clear and clean all closets
• Add “welcoming” touches: potted plants, dried flowers, etc.

Just Before Every Showing or Open House

Exterior

• Pick up tools and toys
• Put garbage cans in garage
• Close garage door
• Park cars on street or around corner not in garage

Interior

• Clear off all counters and table tops
• Turn on all lights
• Open shades and curtains
• Put soft music on the stereo
• Give the house a pleasant aroma – fresh bread, scented candles etc.
• Make all beds
• Set thermostat at a comfortable temperature
• Make sure pets are absent when possible or contained during showings
• For all bathrooms, keep this area as tidy as possible with freshly laundered linens, shiny clean fixtures, sinks and tubs and most important of all, make sure toilet seat lids are down!