Preparing your home to sell can feel daunting. From cleaning the baseboards to staining the deck, it may seem like the list of to dos is endless. But in order to get the most our of your sale, making your home look as new as possible is incredibly important.
A buyer’s first impression of your home will be their only impression. Ensuring a potential buyer feels that the entire property is clean and well taken care of can make a huge difference in the success of your sale.
You can use this checklist to help simplify the task.
Home Seller’s To-Do Checklist
Clean/Replace as needed:
– Light Switch Covers
– Fireplace
– Light Bulb
– Front door
– Carpets
– Blinds
– Doors and door knobs
– Interior & Exterior paint
– AC/Heater vents
Dust Everything:
– Walls
– Blinds
– Ceilings
– Baseboards
– Windows
– A/C intake vents
– Ceiling fans
Make it Inviting:
– Rearrange furniture to maximize visual floor space
– Pack up all knick-knacks
– Prune and nurture all house plants
– Reduce or add house plants to a balanced number
– Remove any furniture that you can live without
– Remove all but a few decorative books and bookshelves
– Pack away personal family photos to de-personalize the home
– Reduce the amount of wall are to one or two items per room
– Add lamps to any dark spaces to brighten the room
– Avoid using Scented candles, sprays, and plug-in air fresheners
– Leave your home smelling fresh and clean with an essential oil diffuser
Living Room:
– Keep coffee tables clear
– Remove any ashtrays
– Keep furniture at a minimum
– Any toys should be stored out of sight
– Use pillows and throws to soften the space
Dining Room:
– Keep dining table clear expect for one nice centerpiece
– Remove extra chairs from the table and dining room
– Remove extra leaves from the table
– Table should seat 4 to 6 chairs max
Kitchen:
– Clear all items from kitchen countertops
– Clean tile grout (bleach if needed)
– Clean the stove, oven, microwave
– Clear the refrigerator of magnets, pictures, and messages
– Replace burner pans on the stove if worn
– Keep all clean supplies (mops, brooms, vacuums, etc.) put away
– Empty the garbage before each showing
– Remove any pet food and water dishes before showings
– Organize pantry to look nice and neat
– Box up any dishes & cooking supplies you can live without
– Scrub/polish the sink to make it look new
Bedrooms:
– Make beds
– Invest in a new bedspread if necessary
– Clear off bedside tables, dressers, etc.
– Store daily necessities in drawers or closets
– Organize closets to be nice and neat
– Keep closet doors closed
– Keep all the floors clear and vacuum regularly
– Remove all wall decor, other than a tasteful piece of art
– Repair any holes or damage to walls
Laundry:
– Put soap and supplies in cupboards
– Keep all surfaces and sink clean and empty
– Use high watt bulbs to make it look brighter
– Remove any and all clothing, dirty or clean
– Keep floors cleared of clutter and mop regularly
Bath:
– Clear and clean ALL surfaces
– Display a bottle of hand soap or a new bar of soap
– Purchase a new towels if necessary
– Coordinate all linens in one or two colors
– Fold towels in thirds on towel rack
– Remove all unnecessary items out of showers and tubs
– Clean or replace all shower curtains
– Clean any madly areas in the showers and baths
– Replace caulking to make it look new again
– Take off all cloth toilet lids and keep lids closed
– Hide garbage cans and cleaning supplies
– Organize cabinets to be nice and neat
Exterior:
– Look at your house objectively from your neighbor’s yard
– Clean or repaint the front door if needed
– Repaint the exterior trim if needed
– Replace any rotten wood on the exterior
– Sweep all walkways, patios, porches, and decks
– Pressure wash any dirty/stained concrete
– Re-stain deck wood as needed
– Wash windows, inside and out
– Use outdoor furniture to show use of space
– Outdoor drapes, pillows, and throws create an inviting retreat
Garage:
– Clean and sweep out the garage
– Keep storage nice and neat
– Repaint dirty areas
– Pack anything you can live without
Yard:
– Prune bushes and plants to look healthy
– Do not allow shrubs or plants to block windows
– Weed all planting areas
– Put down fresh mulch to restore color contrast
– Keep lawn freshly mowed, edged, and fertilized
– Remove any dead plants
– Add a few flowers for a splash of color if needed
Keep in mind that home buyers are going to be more critical of your home than of their own. So when your house is on the market, you need to keep it in show condition at all times.
You want prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in your home. The more they can imagine where they might put their things, the more likely they will be to buy. Opening up floor space, de-personalizing, and decluttering are all ways to make prospective home buyers feel like the home is theirs.