EXpert tips
Prepare Your Home To Sell
Selling your home can be both thrilling and nerve-wracking, but being well-prepared and knowing the right steps to take can make the process smoother and less daunting. Here’s a guide to help you kickstart your home-selling journey.
Outdoors
- Polish front door, remove cobwebs, sweep front porch & sidewalk
- Trim & mow landscape, replace dead plants, replace mulch
- Remove debris from driveway & steps
- Add fresh paint, replace damaged bricks & siding, pressure wash mildew
- Clean out gutters, downspouts, & roof debris
- Repair cracked or broken windows
- Store hoses neatly & make sure sprinklers don’t water the walkway
- Keep pool, patio area & furniture in clean, orderly condition
- Add colorful pots & greenery to add an inviting touch
Kitchen
- Scrub all countertops, floors, and appliances & polish all woodwork
- Remove clutter, add decorative towels, plants, cookbooks, etc.
- Clean the inside of the oven & microwave
- Repair bad faucets
- Remove dishes, sponges, dishwashing liquid, etc. from sinks and counters
- Be sure garbage is taken out & trash can is hidden in the utility room or pantry
Bedrooms
- Make all beds. Hang clothes neatly in closets or fold and put in drawers
- Put away toys, books, & clutter
- Remove excess furniture & wall decor
- Use attractive decor, bedspreads, pillows & freshly laundered curtains
- Clean fan blades, blinds, & light fixtures
- Hide unattractive computer/stereo/TV/telephone wires & cords
Closets
- Organize closets to show that space is ample
- Be sure lights work & clothes are neatly hung
Bathrooms
- Put away personal items such as make-up, curling irons, toothpaste, etc
- Polish the mirrors, floor, fixtures, & countertops
- Repair caulking around tub & shower if necessary
- Replace or clean the shower curtain
- Replace leaking faucets & tile grout if necessary
- Pick up all dirty clothes & towels and put in the hamper or laundry room
- Display decorative towels & accents, open a fresh bar of soap
Overall
- Keep your home clean inside & out
- Open draperies & window blinds to let sunshine in
- Turn on all lights, keep interior doors open, & keep all toilet lids closed
- Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans of dust & dirt
- Eliminate unpleasant odors such as food, pets, & especially smoke
- Touch up paint as needed & polish all woodwork
- Repair loose knobs, sticking doors, & windows
- Be sure windows, door, drapes, carpets, & staircases are clean
- Replace old light bulbs with new, high wattage bulbs
- Be sure all electrical and plumbing systems are in good working order
- Place fresh flowers throughout or in the kitchen
- Keep pets out of the way or kenneled for showings
- Keep a comfortable temperature (cool in the summer & warm in the winter)
- Leave the stereo/surround sound playing soft music
- Leave during the showing if possible, otherwise stay out of the way
Garage/Utility Room
- Keep floors clean & neatly swept
- Tidy the shelves
- Remove unnecessary items
- Put away all clean laundry
