Get My House Ready To Sell - The Ultimate Checklist
Get My House Ready To Sell
Everything you need to know to prepare your house for the market
Nicole Serviss, RE/MAX Elite
It’s a long list but if you do take the time to take care of your home, you will see the results.
Always repair everything that needs to be repaired. Even if it is small. The small things add up to create the perception of neglect.
Go through your house and check for peeling paint and wallpaper.
Get everything as clean as possible and try to make your house look brand new.
Make all of your woodwork and cabinetry shine.
Get all of your carpets and rugs professionally cleaned. If pets have damaged your carpet, you may need to replace it.
Go through all of your light fixtures and clean them.
Thoroughly clean all of your windows.
What you like doesn’t matter. The only important thing is what your buyers will like.
Select neutral tones for your carpeting and paint.
Pack away all your personal items like family photos, knick knacks, etc. You don't want potential buyers to feel like they are invading your personal space.
Rent a storage unit. Any unnecessary items like collectibles and other things like large furniture should go in there.
Move your furniture around to create more space.
Place your off-season clothing in storage and clear out your closets as much as possible. Never leave anything on the floor.
The more light you have in your home, the more spacious it will seem. Open up your drapes and place lighting in where there is none.
Your house should smell clean and inviting.
Creating First Impressions.
The outside of your home is your buyer’s first impression.
If it isn’t immaculate and attractive, it will give the buyer negative expectations for the rest of the house.
You can start with the front door. Is it clean? Has it been painted recently? Make sure all doors open smoothly.
Window and screens should be completely intact and hole free.
Check your locks to make sure they open smoothly and work properly.
Have a look over your roof and clear out any gutters. Spot loose shingles and get them replaced.
Your yard should be as neat and well kept as possible.
Rake rocks, trim trees and take care of weeds. Don’t leave any debris lying around.
If you have any big items, like a trampoline, that might take away from the feeling of spaciousness, put them in storage.
Driveway. Fill cracks and sweep away any debris. Wash away stains.
Get rid of all children’s toys in your yard.
Let's head inside.
If you have a closet in your entryway, make sure it is extra roomy. Remove any out of season clothing and put it in storage.
Decorate your mantle with something colorful, attractive, and simple. Less is more here.
Get rid of extra furniture and create more space. If a piece of furniture impedes your motion through or a room or makes it feel cramped, you need to put it in storage.
Make sure there are no burnt out bulbs!
Clear out your fireplace. Keep it neat and well swept.
Dining table. If you use extra chairs for your guests, put them in storage. If your table has extra leaves, remove them.
Clear the counters.
If your prospective buyers see a lot of unnecessary kitchen tools, they might get the idea that your kitchen isn’t spacious enough. Put everything you don’t use all the time into storage.
Everything should be immaculate and shiny. This is especially important for appliances.
Clear any clutter from the top of your refrigerator.
Hide your trashcan under your sink or put it in the garage during showings.
Keep all of your storage areas organized.
Make sure your washer and dryer are absolutely spotless and sparkling clean.
Laundry Room. Clear away any unnecessary items and dirty clothes.
Double check your stairway railings to be extra certain they are tight and secure.
Change the sheets on your bed to the nicest ones you can find.
Get your kids to go through all of their things and throw away old toys they don’t use.
Every closet should be properly lit.
Open up your closets by getting rid of extra clothing.
Put every questionable wall hanging or poster into storage until your house is sold. Anything too strange will distract your buyers.
Bathrooms must be extra clean and have no questionable smells.
Replace all of your worn out shower curtains.
Repair bathtub and shower caulking.
Repair leaky faucets and clear away any calcium, lime, or rust deposits wherever you see them.
Put away your personal products after every use.
Organize all of your cabinets and storage areas. Remove old products that you don’t use anymore.
Increase the space in your garage by organizing everything. Remove unnecessary tools or toys, and put them into storage.
Remove all cars from the garage before each showing. A garage without cars always looks bigger.
Make sure you garage door opener works and that the garage door closes properly. If not, hire a professional to repair it.
It’s all work that is worth it!
Reach out with questions!
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