Preparing your home for a sale any time of year is perhaps the most important organizational task you can tackle. But fear not, we’ve created this checklist to keep the process simple and straightforward.
Remember, when selling your home, you’re trying to appeal to the highest number of buyers. By minimizing your decor and neutralizing the color palette, you are providing buyers with a space in which they can envision living.
DE-CLUTTER AND DE-PERSONALIZE
- Remove approximately half of your items from bookcases, closets, and pantry.
- Pack up knick-knacks and rarely used items.
- Clear off countertops, remove all magnets/photos from the refrigerator.
- Remove personal photos, family heirlooms, and any provocative artwork.
GO WITH THE FLOW
- Rearrange furniture to demonstrate a room’s intended functionality (to you it may be a playroom, but is more valuable to a buyer as a dining room.)
- Place furniture in a way that encourages logical traffic flow.
- Remove oversized or unused furniture to make rooms feel bigger.
TACKLE THAT TO-DO LIST
- Freshen-up with a new coat of neutral paint.
- Patch holes and repair any wall damage.
- Recaulk any damaged trim or woodwork.
- Fix doors that don’t completely close.
- Replace any cracked floor tiles or broken window panes.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
- Wash all windows, inside and out.
- Remove screens if unused.
- Trim any outside landscaping that blocks natural light.
- Open all curtains and blinds.
- Add lamps to lighten dark rooms.
- Replace burnt out bulbs.
MAKE IT SPARKLE
- Clean out cobwebs and all air vents/returns.
- Clean faucets, mirrors, and glass front cabinets.
- Replace worn rugs and use fresh towels.
- Hire a pro to do a thorough deep clean.
- Set aside a “clean-up kit” for last minute showing touch-ups.
THE FIDO FACTOR
- Hide litter boxes, crates, and pet toys.
- Steam clean carpets to remove pet odors.
- Repair any pet damage to your home.
- Remove animals for each showing.
MAXIMIZE CURB APPEAL
- Pressure wash front walkway.
- Keep lawn green and free of weeds, put down fresh mulch.
- Add a new welcome mat and some potted plants to your entry.
- Consider a fresh coat of paint on the front door.
