General preparation of your home to make it most appealing to buyers:
The effort put into repairing and cleaning your property is likely to be returned in a fast sale at an attractive price. While your home is on the market, keep it as neat and clean as possible. Be sure there is plenty of natural light throughout the home. Keep curtains and blinds open during daylight hours. Make needed functional or cosmetic repairs. Paint or touch up paint where needed both outside and inside of the home.
The Outside:
Curb appeal is very important. First impressions are formed quickly.
Paint house - this can do more for sales appeal than most other factors.
Yard - Remove all toys, debris, garden tools and other items from view.
Keep lawn mowed, edged, and neatly trimmed.
Keep garage doors closed.
Put colorful flowers in front of house.
Put new paint on the front door if needed, or clean it thoroughly.
Buy a new door mat.
The Garage:
Clean out garage and straighten storage areas.
Ensure that there is plenty of lighting.
Sweep or vacuum floor.
Keep items stored out of sight or neatly stacked against walls.
The Kitchen:
Often the most important room in the house - Make it bright
and attractive.
Put a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
Replace curtains or blinds if needed, or clean existing ones.
Remove clutter from counter tops.
Create a pleasant fragrance in the kitchen (i.e. vanilla, cinnamon).
Bathrooms:
It is important that bathrooms are clean, bright and smell fresh.
Polish all fixtures.
Hang fresh towels.
Remove stains from bathtubs and fixtures.
Use air freshener.
Display new soaps.
The living areas:
Should be clean, neat, and free of clutter.
Clean out the fireplace and place logs in it.
Polish all woodwork..
If needed, put big furniture in storage so rooms are not cluttered or crowded.
Keep rooms neat and clean at all times.
The bedrooms:
Should be clean and orderly.
Keep beds made.
Keep rooms free from clutter.
Keep toys and children’s items neatly arranged.
Repair & Cleaning Checklist:
Front Porch and Door:
Newly painted if needed, thoroughly cleaned
Doorbell operating
Door hardware polished
Hinges oiled
New doormat
Nice flowers or plants
Porch swept and clean
Exterior of House:
House recently painted
Gutters recently cleaned
Exterior lights operating
Lawn:
Lawn in good condition
Grass mowed
Edges trimmed
Dead branches pruned
Dead plants replaced
Overgrown shrubs pruned
Seasonal flowers blooming
Windows:
Window trim painted if needed
Windows operating freely
Cracked windowpanes replaced
Windows cleaned on outside and inside
Patios:
Clean, neat, freshly swept
Wood stained or painted
Fencing secure
Free of clutter
Furniture and plants neatly arranged
All Rooms:
Clean, neat and free of clutter
Walls, ceilings, doors and woodwork repainted if needed, all paint touched up as needed
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork clean and polished
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned or replaced if needed
Drapes/blinds opened during the day
Carpets and floors cleaned
Furniture positioned to make each room look its best
Kitchen:
Sink free of stains
No dripping faucets
Appliances in good working order
Walls and cabinets free of stains
Countertops cleared and cleaned
Pantry and cabinets neatly arranged
Bedrooms:
Beds made
Laundry put away
Tidy and free from clutter
Bathrooms:
Sink stains removed
Leaky faucets repaired
Grout stains removed
All joints caulked
Missing tiles replaced
All fixtures operating properly
Floors cleaned
All supplies stored
Nice guest towels and soaps
on display
Other items to remember:
Inspectors will need access to the attic and the crawl space under the home if it has a pier and beam foundation.
Leased equipment cannot be included in the sale (water purification, alarm system, etc.), without making needed arrangements.
All assessments to
homeowner’s associations, etc. should be paid and current.
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