Getting Your Home in Top Selling Condition

 

Curb Appeal

¨       Drive up to your home and look at it from afar. Look at it through the eyes of buyers.

¨       Check the shingles – repair or replace damaged shingles.

¨       Clean and repair the gutters.

¨       Clean and repair the HVAC units.

¨       Repair broken windows and shutters.  Replace torn screens.  Make sure frames and seams have solid caulking.

¨       Repair or replace door knobs, doorbell and light fixtures if necessary.

¨       Remove all toys, equipment and litter.

¨       Remove cobwebs and nests.

¨       Remove mildew, moss and stains from the side of your home – use bleach.  Remove stains from the walkways and driveway – use concrete cleanser and/or kitty litter.

¨       Repair and clean patio furniture and deck area.  Remove anything that can’t be repaired.

¨       Make sure the spa and pool sparkle.

¨       Go around and touch up the exterior of your home with putty and paint.

¨       Clean or paint the front door and mailbox.

¨       Hose off the exterior of your home, especially around entrances.  Use siding cleanser.

¨       Wash the windows.

¨       Wash your garbage can and put it in a place where it’s not the first thing potential buyers see when they drive up.

¨       Stack the woodpile neatly.

¨       Mow the lawn.

¨       Trim the trees and shrubs.

¨       Weed the gardens.

¨       Add colorful plants or foliage to fill in bare spots.

¨       Edge the gardens and walkways.

¨       Sweep the walkways and driveway.

¨       Replace doormats that are worn and torn.

¨       Shine brass hardware on the doors and light fixtures.  Polish stained wood doors and trim.

¨       Drive up to your home again and look at it from the eyes of a potential buyer.  Walk into your home as a potential buyer.  Determine what kind of impression the walkways and entrances now make.

Overall Interior

¨       Walk through your home.  Store, give away, throw, or donate anything that you won’t need until after the move; e.g. furniture, knick-knacks, clothing, toys, equipment, appliances, worn rugs, papers, books, cosmetics, jewelry, games, CDs, etc.

¨       Walk through your home again, this time with some tools.  Fix loose door knobs, cracked molding, leaky faucets.  Remove cob webs.

¨       Replace worn or broken door knobs, cabinet fixtures, light fixtures, light switches, outlet plates, faucets and vent covers.

¨       Clean the fireplace.

¨       Clean the vents.

¨       Clean and organize your closets.  Add extra space by storing or giving away items.

¨       Add a fresh coat of paint in light, neutral colors.

¨       Shampoo the carpet.  Replace if necessary.  Clean and wax the floors.

¨       Vacuum the window blinds, shades and drapes.  Wash or dry clean curtains.  Wash all the windows, frames and sills.

¨       Add dishes of potpourri.

¨       Remove all valuables, such as jewelry, artwork, knick-knacks, medications, cash, coin collections and so on.

¨       Open all the window shades to create a spacious and bright look.

¨       Put pet supplies and dishes in a place where they are not the first thing potential buyers see or smell when they walk into a room.

Living Room and Family Room

¨       Make these rooms spacious and inviting.

¨       Discard or repair chipped furniture.  Replace worn rugs and pillows.

¨       Remove magazines, games, toys and so on.

¨       Make sure the entertainment center sparkles.

¨       Vacuum upholstery, drapes, pillows, etc.

Dining Room

¨       Clean out your china cabinet.  Polish any visible silver.

¨       Put a lovely centerpiece on the table – treat yourself to fresh flowers.  Set the table for a formal dinner to help potential buyers imagine entertaining there.

 

Bedrooms

¨       Arrange furniture to create a spacious look.

¨       Remove games, toys, magazines, cosmetics, jewelry – especially on the nightstands.

¨       Replace bedspreads, quilts and pillow shams if they are worn or faded.

Bathrooms

¨       Remove rust and mildew stains.

¨       Wash or replace shower curtains.

¨       Make sure everything sparkles – including grout.

¨       Replace worn rugs and towels.

Kitchen

¨       Make sure all appliances work.

¨       Throw or eat the foods that you’ve been storing for so long.

¨       Clean the inside of the refrigerator, stove and cabinets.  Make sure everything is organized to create a spacious look.

¨       If your stove has electric burners, purchase new drip pans for each burner.  Wash removable knobs in your dishwasher.

¨       Polish the cabinets with furniture oil.

¨       Make sure appliances, countertops and the sink sparkle.  Install new faucets if necessary.

Attic, Basement and Garage

¨       Get rid of unnecessary items.  Store or pack items you won’t need until after the move.

¨       Organize everything to create more floor space and make inspections easy.  Put things on shelves or in matching boxes.

¨       Provide bright lighting.

¨       Clean all equipment and vents.  Replace filters.  Fix any insulation that might be showing.

¨       Take care of stale or musty odors.  Open the windows, dust and wash the walls and floors, purchase room deodorizers.

When It’s Time to Show

¨       Make sure your property folder is out in the open.  It should contain utility bills, an MLS profile, your Seller’s Disclosure, extra property flyers and extra business cards.

¨       Do a quick clean and vacuum.  Air out your house.  Dispose all trash.

¨       Put pets outside if it’s safe to do so.

¨       Turn on a radio with peaceful music.