Sellers Guide - Preparing Your Home To Sell!

You can significantly influence the selling price of your house by preparing your property before putting it on the market! Here are suggestions to improve a buyer's first impression of your home. Review the checklist now, before every open house showing, and before photos are taken.

Check to see exactly what the camera will "see". By all means, look carefully at walls, floors and ceilings for signs of wear, marks or need for repainting or wallpapering. And, don't forget to look at trim, including doors and windows.

CURB APPEAL - Property seen from the street:
Healthy, weed-free, neatly cut, trimmed lawn
Shrubs trimmed neatly
Trees, shrubs trimmed to not touch the house
Sealed black-top driveway
Weed-free driveway, front walk, shrub areas
Toys, garden tools, clutter removed from yard
HOUSE EXTERIOR - Front view from the street:
Recently painted siding
Recently painted, touched-up trim
Repair, repaint fences, gates
Clean, align gutters, downspouts
Wash, align shutters
Wash all windows, storms, screens
FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE AREA - Exterior:
Clean, wash, scrub front steps, porch as needed
Check front doorbell and bell light
Replace welcome mat
Paint or wash storm door, lubricate hinges
Polish brass door lockset and brass hinges
Clean and wash front door tread
FRONT DOOR ENTRANCE AREA - Interior:
Clear interior entry area or foyer of all clutter
Reduce volume, clutter in the front hall closet
Clean and polish the front entry floor
Wash, polish and replace bulbs in light fixture
Remove fingerprints, scuff marks on trim, walls
Paint to lighten and refresh entrance area
LIVING-FAMILY-DINING ROOMS:
Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
Repair or replace damaged molding, trim
Remove electric plates, clean and replace as needed
Refinish, clean, wax hardwood and vinyl floors
Shampoo carpeting
BEDROOMS:
Repaint, repaper, touch up walls, trim, ceiling
Replace or clean drapes, bedspread, accessories
Shampoo carpet or clean, polish floors
Organize, clean out, neaten all closets
Clear off top surfaces of all bedroom furniture
Put all clothing away, out-of-sight.
KITCHEN:
Paint walls, ceiling, trim white or light color, or...
Wallpaper with small pattern and light colors
Remove wax, scrub, re-polish floors
Wash, wipe down, wax cabinets/appliances
Thoroughly clean range, ovens
Clean out refrigerator and wash interior
Empty dishwasher, clean around controls
Check operation of all appliances
Neatly arrange and clean food storage areas
Reorganize and clean out cabinets and drawers
Neatly arrange and display dishes in cabinets
Clear all clutter from counter tops
Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
Wash or replace curtains
Clean or put away pet feeding
BATHS:
Paint or wallpaper using light colors
Scrub tile, bleach, repair grout
Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
Clean, polish floor as appropriate
Clean out medicine cabinet, wash inside and out
Seal around tubs and showers
Check for evidence of water at toilet base
Replace old toilet seats
Replace shower window curtains
Buy a set of new, color coordinated bath linens
LAUNDRY:
Check operation of appliances and clean them
Clean, organize laundry area, remove clothes
Provide adequate (bright) light to area
GENERAL:
Remove clutter, papers, unnecessary items
Replace burned-out bulbs throughout the house
Remove cobwebs from ceilings, corners
Remove paint splash on tile, floor, cabinets
Wash, polish all door hardware, handrails
Reorganize, clean-out all closets
Replace switches, outlets that don't work
Add colorful plants, flowers to several rooms
Replace or rejuvenate pillows, accessories
Clean out, sweep, organize garage
Organize, make neat basement and attic storage



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