General Checklist:

  • Reduce the number of family photos throughout your home.

  • Use scented items to create an inviting smell in your home.  Bad odors can deter some buyers.

  • 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.

  • Repair broken items in your house (doors, cracks, etc.). In most cases buyers will ask for broken items to be repaired.

  • Rearrange furniture or move furniture room to room to create more space and open area.

  • Vacuum all carpet and hard wood floors.

  • Scrub and clean tile and grout throughout your house.

  • Empty the garbage daily to reduce odors.

  • Repair all holes in walls.

 

Inside Home:

Bathrooms:

  • Clean all surfaces. Put toiletries in drawers or cabinets.

  • Leave out a bottle of hand soap or a clean bar of soap, along with a hand towel.

  • Fold in thirds on towel racks daily. Purchase new towels if you needed.

  • Clear all items out of shower stalls and tubs except for necessities.

  • Keep toilet lids closed.

  • Hide garbage can and cleaning supplies out of sight.

  • Clean the shower curtain, or replace if needed.

  • Repair any cracking or peeling areas and clean any moldy areas. Paint if needed.

  • Give your shower and tub a fresh bead of silicone caulking around the edges to make them look neat and clean.

 

Bedrooms:

  • Make beds daily and replace bedding if needed.

  • Clear off night stands, dressers, etc.

  • Pick up all clothes off the floor.

  • Store extra books, magazines, or miscellaneous items underneath the bed.

  • Keep closet doors closed. If you have a walk-in closet keep the floor clean and free of laundry and clutter.

 

Closets:

  • Make sure the doors open easily. Fix any creaking sounds.

  • Arrange items to create a tidier closet.




Den, Family Room, Living Room, Sun Room:

  • Clear off all coffee tables and end tables.

  • Remove all ashtrays.

  • Move pet food bowls out of sight.

 

Dining Room:

  • Clear off dining table, leave a center piece or other decorative item.

  • Remove additional leaves from tables to make the room look bigger.



Kitchen:

  • Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops.

  • Remove all pictures, magnets, drawings, messages, etc. from the refrigerator.

  • Repair broken tile or loose corners on counters.

  • Clean the stovetop and oven.(Several days prior) Replace burner pans if they are badly stained.

  • Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty.

  • Remove all soaps, sponges, and supplies out of sight and under the sink.

 

Laundry Rooms:

  • Keep counters and sink clean and empty.

  • Make sure that light bulbs are working, replace with higher wattage bulbs to create more light if needed.

  • Put soaps, towels, etc. in cupboards.

 

Outside Home:

  • Remove all garbage cans, wood scraps, extra building materials, etc.

 

Fences:

  • Repair broken fences and paint if necessary.

 

Front Door:

  • Stain or paint your front door.  Fix any dings or dents.

 

House Paint/Paneling:

  • Spray down your panels or paints with a mixture of water and soap to help clean off any residue.

  • If your house has paint, check to see if it needs to be touched up or repainted.

  • Check panels and replace any panels that are broke.

 

Landscaping:

  • Remove any dead plants and weed all planting areas.

  • Keep your lawn freshly cut and edged.

  • Prune bushes and trees.

 

Patios and Decks:

  • Sweep all walkways and patios or decks.

  • Decks should be cleaned, stained or painted if needed.

 

Roofs:

  • Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Be sure to clean the gutters on a regular basis.

 

Garages:

 

  • Sweep out and organize. Keep storage in garage neat.

  • Arrange tools and place into tool chests or containers.

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