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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.
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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.
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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.
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