General Checklist:
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Reduce the number of family photos throughout your home.
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Use scented items to create an inviting smell in your home. Bad odors can deter some buyers.
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Clean all windows inside and out, ensuring they are functioning properly. If during the winter months, cleaning the inside of the windows should be sufficient.
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Repair broken items in your house (doors, cracks, etc.). In most cases buyers will ask for broken items to be repaired.
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Rearrange furniture or move furniture room to room to create more space and open area.
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Vacuum all carpet and hard wood floors.
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Scrub and clean tile and grout throughout your house.
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Empty the garbage daily to reduce odors.
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Repair all holes in walls.
Inside Home:
Bathrooms:
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Clean all surfaces. Put toiletries in drawers or cabinets.
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Leave out a bottle of hand soap or a clean bar of soap, along with a hand towel.
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Fold in thirds on towel racks daily. Purchase new towels if you needed.
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Clear all items out of shower stalls and tubs except for necessities.
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Keep toilet lids closed.
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Hide garbage can and cleaning supplies out of sight.
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Clean the shower curtain, or replace if needed.
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Repair any cracking or peeling areas and clean any moldy areas. Paint if needed.
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Give your shower and tub a fresh bead of silicone caulking around the edges to make them look neat and clean.
Bedrooms:
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Make beds daily and replace bedding if needed.
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Clear off night stands, dressers, etc.
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Pick up all clothes off the floor.
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Store extra books, magazines, or miscellaneous items underneath the bed.
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Keep closet doors closed. If you have a walk-in closet keep the floor clean and free of laundry and clutter.
Closets:
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Make sure the doors open easily. Fix any creaking sounds.
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Arrange items to create a tidier closet.
Den, Family Room, Living Room, Sun Room:
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Clear off all coffee tables and end tables.
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Remove all ashtrays.
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Move pet food bowls out of sight.
Dining Room:
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Clear off dining table, leave a center piece or other decorative item.
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Remove additional leaves from tables to make the room look bigger.
Kitchen:
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Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops.
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Remove all pictures, magnets, drawings, messages, etc. from the refrigerator.
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Repair broken tile or loose corners on counters.
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Clean the stovetop and oven.(Several days prior) Replace burner pans if they are badly stained.
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Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty.
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Remove all soaps, sponges, and supplies out of sight and under the sink.
Laundry Rooms:
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Keep counters and sink clean and empty.
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Make sure that light bulbs are working, replace with higher wattage bulbs to create more light if needed.
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Put soaps, towels, etc. in cupboards.
Outside Home:
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Remove all garbage cans, wood scraps, extra building materials, etc.
Fences:
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Repair broken fences and paint if necessary.
Front Door:
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Stain or paint your front door. Fix any dings or dents.
House Paint/Paneling:
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Spray down your panels or paints with a mixture of water and soap to help clean off any residue.
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If your house has paint, check to see if it needs to be touched up or repainted.
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Check panels and replace any panels that are broke.
Landscaping:
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Remove any dead plants and weed all planting areas.
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Keep your lawn freshly cut and edged.
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Prune bushes and trees.
Patios and Decks:
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Sweep all walkways and patios or decks.
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Decks should be cleaned, stained or painted if needed.
Roofs:
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Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Be sure to clean the gutters on a regular basis.
Garages:
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Sweep out and organize. Keep storage in garage neat.
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Arrange tools and place into tool chests or containers.
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