Carpet
& Flooring Improvements:
-If you have pets hire a professional to deodorize
carpets
-If needed, replace any worn carpet, steam
clean thoroughly, install new neutral-colored
carpet if need be with a thick padding so
prospective buyers feel comfortable as they
walk on your floors
- Make sure carpets are secure. Stretch and
tack down any loose or curling carpet, vacuum/comb
carpet and make free of pet hair
-If you decide to replace a linoleum floor,
choose a neutral color that will have wide
appeal
- If your home has hardwood floors with room-size
rugs, get the hardwood into its best condition
with fresh non-slip floor polish or other
coating to make it shimmer
-Mop and vacuum floors
-Replace worn out vent covers
-Thoroughly clean linoleum floors in kitchen
and bathroom
Kitchen &
Bathroom Improvements:
-If the appliances are included with the sale
of your home, make sure they are operating
and have proper documentation such as warranties
and repair information, if appliances are
dated or not functioning, consider replacing
-If there are missing or damaged tiles, have
them replaced
-Re-touch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms
if the color is dated or the paint quality
is poor
-Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free
- Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs,
make sure there are no leaky faucets
-Re-caulk damaged caulk on shower, sinks,
tub or toilet, clean tile grout and make stain-free
-Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry
-Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet
pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly
hinges
-Replace toilet seat
Lighting Improvements:
-Repair sticky windows which do not open
-At night, make sure all outside lighting
works, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting
-Clean all switch plates, windows inside and
out, as well as existing shutters, blinds
or drapes, remove leaves and other debris
from skylights
-Install dimming switches in common rooms
such as dining rooms and living rooms to allow
you to create lighting for different occasions
-Install new window treatments if those you
have are damaged or dated
-Keep curtains open and use natural light
as much as possible
-Prune outside trees to allow natural light
inside
-Turn on inside lights so home is well lit
during showing, increase the wattage of bulbs
to maximum possible wattage
-Wipe all light fixtures with a rag and cleaning
solution |
|
Clean
& De-Clutter Improvements:
-Appliances should be cleaned - inside and
out, remove small appliances from kitchen
counters to give a look of spaciousness
-Clean all curtains, drapes and blinds, including
windowsills, inside of all kitchen and bathroom
cabinets, neatly organize items on shelves,
ensure all doors, cabinets and drawers can
open completely without any blockage
-Clean the entryway carefully; it creates
the buyers first interior impression of your
home, stairwells and corridors clutter-free,
mop and sweep all floors
-Doors should be oiled and squeak-free, clean
or purchase new front door accessories
-Dry clean your drapes
-Empty trash cans, recycling bins and ash
trays
-Exterminate any insect problems
-Get rid of odors (pet, food)
-Have a garage sale before the home is listed
-Hire a professional cleaning service, once
every few weeks while the house is on the
market
-If needed, remove clutter by renting off-site
storage space
-Keep baseboards clean and dusted, bookshelves,
entertainment units must be organized neatly,
clothing hung neatly and shoes organized,
organize closets
-Screens should be clean and vacuumed, shower
curtains fresh and free from mildew
-Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and
tubs should be immaculate
-Polish all interior woodwork
Interior Painting
Improvements:
-Add new wallpaper if the wallpaper is torn
or withered, make sure it adheres to the wall,
repair any cracks in ceiling/walls
-All woodwork like stairwell railings and
doors should be repainted and/or stained
Have leaks repaired & watermarks covered,
if needed, repaint faded, worn or stained
interior walls
-The windows should be washed and stain free,
window frames should be painted if necessary
-Tone down bright room colors by painting
them white or a neutral color
Yard Improvements:
-Add colorful plants or flowers near front
door and porch area, put new or gently used
welcome mat at the doorway
-Repair damaged, rusty or bent fence; paint
or stain if necessary
-If you have an awning for the patio, make
sure that it is also free of debris and that
there are no signs of tear or worn material.
Replace if necessary
-Keep the firewood neatly stacked and trash
area clean and organized, walks, steps and
driveway obstacle-free
-Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn, rake
fallen leaves, prune trees and bushes, trim
or remove weeds, dead or dying plants or flowers,
re-sod bare spots on lawn, power wash deck
-Remove unnecessary items such as debris,
gardening equipment, personal items on deck
and porch, any signs outside such as Beware
of Dog need to be taken down |
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Exterior
Painting Improvements:
-Paint any doors, doorframes, exterior fixtures,
mailbox, shutters, window ledges, any rust
spots or streaks on downspouts or outdoor
railing
-Paint or clean front door, garage door, re-stain
or paint fence if it’s peeling or dirty
-Polish door handles and knockers
-Repair any damage to chimney, as well as
holes in gutters and any separations from
eaves, replace or repair shingles or tiles
missing from the roof
-Sand and repaint areas with blistering or
peeling paint, remove oil spots from garage
area
-Seal cracks on porch and remove any standing
water if concrete. If wood, secure railings
and seal or paint as necessary
-Straighten and clean antenna
Plumbing &
Electrical Improvements:
-All drains should be clean and free flowing,
if needed, hire a plumber to replace badly
rusted and corroded plumbing pipes, toilets
should be in good working order
-Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures
in bathrooms; all bathroom and kitchen faucets
are in good working order, remove mildew stains
and repair any loose, crumbling caulk or grout
around tile and tub areas
-Have your well or septic inspected or repaired
-Inspect, clean and change filter of furnace
-All smoke and burglar alarms are functional
-Repair broken doorbell
-Service sprinkler system
Staging Improvements:
-Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for
display
-Clean out the entry closet and put only a
few hangers so that the buyer can visualize
winter coats
-Consider lighting up the fireplace during
the colder months
-Hang artwork on the walls, as well as extra
clean towels in the bathroom, a fresh vase
of flowers on the kitchen table and bathroom
area to add appeal
-Have beds made, open drapes to allow light
in
-Lock pets up away from home during showings
-Play music during open houses and put cedar
chips inside the closets to freshen up closed
areas
-Remove all unnecessary articles in basement
or attic, if needed, put large furniture and
other items in offsite storage
-All magnets and notes from refrigerator need
to be removed, as well as personal possessions,
like photos, trophies and mementos to minimize
clutter
-Set the dining room table for a dinner party
Stage garage - clean up oily floors, straighten
tools and other equipment
-Tag or remove items not included in sale
(i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants,
drapes) |
