- Mow lawn
- Trim shrubs
- Edge gardens and
walkways
- Weed and mulch
- Sweep walkways and driveway, remove branches, litter or toys
- Add color
and fill in bare spots with plantings
- Remove mildew or moss from walls or walks with bleach and water or other
cleaner
- Take stains off your driveway with cleanser or kitty litter
- Stack wood neatly
- Clean
and repair patio and deck area
- Remove any outdoor furniture which is not in good repair
- Make sure pool or
spa sparkles
- Replace old storm doors
- Check for flat-fitting roof shingles
- Repair broken windows
and shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking
- Hose off exterior wood and trim,
replace damaged bricks or wood
- Touch exterior paint, repair gutters and eaves
- Clean and remove rust from
any window air conditioning units
- Paint the front door if dull/peeling
- Add a new front door mat and
consider a seasonal door decoration
- Shine brass hardware on front door, outside lighting fixtures,
etc.
- Make sure doorbell is in good working order
General Interior Tips
- Add a fresh coat of interior
paint in light, neutral colors
- Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary
- Clean and wax hardwood floors,
refinish if necessary
- Clean and wash kitchen and bathroom floors
- Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash
window sills
- Clean the fireplace
- Clean out and organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes and
items you won’t need again until after you’ve moved
- Remove extra furniture, worn rugs, and items you don’t use;
keep papers, toys, etc. picked up-especially on stairways
- Repair problems such as loose door knobs, cracked
molding, leaking taps and toilets, squeaky doors, closets or screen doors which are off their tracks
- Secure
jewelry, cash and other valuables
The Living Room
- Make it cozy and inviting, discard
chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs
The Dining Room
- Polish any visible silver and
crystal
- Set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining here
The Kitchen
- Make sure appliances are spotless inside
and out
- Make sure all appliances are in perfect working order
- Clean often forgotten spots on top of
refrigerator and under sink
- Wax or sponge floor to brilliant shine, clean baseboards
- Organize items
inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won’t be using before you move
The Bathrooms
- Remove all rust and
mildew
- Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, etc., are immaculate and shining
- Make sure all fixtures
are in good repair
- Replace loose caulking or grout
- Make sure lighting is bright, but soft
The Master Bedroom
- Organize furnishings to create a
spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping, and dressing areas
The Garage
- Sell, give away, or throw out unnecessary
items
- Clean oily cement floor
- Provide strong overhead light
- Tidy storage and work
areas
The Basement
- Sell, give away, or throw out
unnecessary items
- Organize and create more floor space by hanging tools and placing items on
shelves
- Clean water heater and drain sediment
- Change furnace filter
- Make inspection access
easy
- Clean and paint concrete floor and walls
- Provide strong overhead light
The Attic
- Tidy up by discarding or
pre-packing
- Make sure energy-saving insulation is apparent
- Make sure air vent is in working
order
- Provide strong overhead lighting
When It’s Time To Show
- Make sure your property
profile folder, utility bills, MLS profile, house location survey, etc., are available
- Open all draperies and
shades, turn on all lights
- Pick up toys and other clutter, check to make sure beds are made and clothes are put
away
- Give the carpets a quick vacuuming
- Add some strategically placed fresh flowers
- Open
bathroom windows for fresh air
- Pop a spicy dessert or just a pan of cinnamon in the oven for aroma
- Turn
off the television and turn on the radio music at a low volume
- Make a fire in the fireplace if
appropriate
- Make sure pet areas are clean and odor-free
- Make sure all trash is disposed of in neatly
covered bins
