In order to maximize the eventual sale price, make an effort to view your house through the eyes of a prospective purchaser. Use the following checklist to help in your preparations.
First Impression
- Making a good first impression is as important when selling your home as when meeting a business associate. It’s called “Curb Appeal”. And it’s what draws a potential buyer out of their car and into your home.
Living Areas
- Fix all cracks, nail pops, and visible seams in the plaster.
- Check ceilings for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage and repaint the ceiling.
- Use conventional white and neutrals if redecorating (this would also include any carpet replacement and painting).
- Clean out fireplace, stack logs inside the fireplace to make it look inviting.
- Wash all windows, repair broken glass and windows that stick.
- Replace all burned out light bulbs, use higher wattage bulbs.
- Make sure all light switches work.
- Clean all floors and fix any creaking boards or stair treads.
- Clean all window treatments.
- Straighten out closets, get rid of clutter to make them appear larger. Fix squeaking doors with oil, spray room deodorizer to eliminate musty smells.
- Fix doors that stick by rubbing a block of paraffin was against the edge. Rub the tracks of the sticking doors with candle wax.
- Remove as many personal items from the rooms as is possible. Living areas will appear larger and buyers will be looking at the house rather than your possessions.
- Repair and/or replace broken tiles or worn linoleum.
- Keep rooms clean and beds made.
Bathrooms
- Repair dripping faucets.
- Display fresh towels, guest towels and soaps.
- Remove stains from toilets, sinks and bathtubs.
- Keep mirrors and all chrome shining.
- Unclog sink and bath drains so water drains quickly.
- Keep a solid room deodorizer in the bath area.
- Replace old caulking around the tubs.
- Repair and/or replace broken tiles or worn linoleum.
Basement, Attic and Garage
- Dispose of all objects you will not be taking with you when you move and box all others neatly to make areas look spacious.
- Make sure all the basement stairs are well lit.
- Paint ceilings and walls of basement in a light color if they are gloomy.
- Repair cracks in the basement or garage floor with ready-mix concrete.
- Vacuum garage and basement floors and rafters.
- If your basement is damp, use a dehumidifier.
Kitchen
- Make the room bright and attractive.
- Scrub the ventilating hood of the stove.
- Clean all kitchen appliances.
- Store all counter-top appliances in cabinets to make the counter space look larger. Clean counters well.
- Put down new flooring if the current linoleum is worn or cracked. Replace any broken tiles.
- Leave a delicious smell in the kitchen – potpourri, cinnamon-apple, etc.
Exterior
- Paint or touch-up exterior siding and/or trim.
- Repair gutters and eaves.
- Pick up any litter.
- Polish your front door handle and other hardware.
- Paint or stain your front door if needed.
- Consider hanging a pretty wreath or floral swag.
- Keep all sidewalks, porches and walkways swept.
- Buy a new front door mat in neutral tones.
- Clean and polish light fixtures.
Landscaping
- Prune overgrown trees and bushes.
- Pull weeds and dead or diseased plants.
- Mow your lawn to make it look green and healthy.
- Consider planting flowers along walkways or in pots along your walkway to bring some color to the landscaping.
- Spread mulch or beauty bark around trees, shrubs and flowers to give a clean, well-kept look.
- Less is more! Just as you would inside your house, make sure your front yard does not look cluttered. Move cars into the garage & out of the driveway whenever possible. Keep the kid’s bikes, toys & other play equipment out of sight. To minimize distractions, keep lawn & garden ornaments to a minimum. This will allow buyers to picture themselves enjoying the yard.