Getting Your House Ready to Sell

• Big projects These large projects may cost you a bit of money, but some may be well worth the expense.
  • Painting—exterior and/or interior.
  • Improving lawn and landscaping.
  • Cleaning and repairing windows and screens.
  • Cleaning and/or replacing carpets.
  • Touching up or refinishing cabinets.
  • Storing or disposing of furniture in order to make rooms appear larger.
  • Cleaning or removing drapes and window coverings to make the house appear brighter.
  • Cleaning and repairing all appliances.
• Details
  
  • Remove all unnecessary objects.
  • Keep decorative objects to a minimum.
  • Replace burned-out light bulbs.
  • Leave on key lights during the day. During showings, turn on all lights and lamps.
  • Have your stereo on during the day playing some soft music for all showings.
  • Set your dining table for guests.
  • Place fresh logs/pinecones in fireplace.
  • Place fresh flowers in living room and master bedroom.
  • Fill paper towel, toilet paper and tissue holders.
• In your kitchen:
  
  • Clear all unnecessary objects from countertops.
  • Empty cabinets of clutter to make them look more spacious.
  • Clear the refrigerator doors of messages, pictures, etc.
  • Clean the oven, wax the floor, make sure the sink is clean, replace counter tile or grout if necessary.
• In your bathrooms:
  
  • Remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, and shower stalls (keep necessary items in a drawer).
  • Check the caulking, tile, and grout around tubs and showers.
  • Replace, remove, or clean shower curtain.
  • Fix leaking faucets.
  • Coordinating towels are a nice touch.
• In your bedrooms:
  
  • Check your closets: be sure lights work and clothes are neatly hung.
  • Store shoes or other loose items in boxes, neatly arranged on shelves.
• Outside your home
  
  • Replace door mats.
  • Tour the perimeter of the house and move all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc. into the garbage.
  • Check gutters (if you have them!) and/or roof for dry rot. Make sure gutters are free of debris.
  • Inspect all plants, prune bushes and trees. Keep plants from blocking windows. Remove any dead plants or shrubs.
  • Weed all planting areas. Keep your lawn freshly cut and fertilized.