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Open the draperies pull up the shades and let in the sunlight.
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Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night.
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Install high-wattage light bulbs for even more illumination.
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Remove all clutter from your rooms to make them seem larger.
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Create a feeling of spaciousness in any way you can.
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If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating scheme.
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Keep your home dusted and vacuumed.
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Have an emergency “game plan” to prepare your house for last-minute showing.
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If possible, air out your home half an hour before each showing.
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Lightly mist your house with air freshener and let it diffuse before the buyer arrives
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Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before the showing, and then place the dish in an out-of-the-way spot in the kitchen.
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Decorate your bedroom to give it the feel of a “master suite”.
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Make sure all the beds are made and all linens and draperies are fresh and clean.
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Organize your closets. Remove unnecessary items and put them in storage.
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Bathrooms should always be kept spotlessly clean.
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Do not leave the towels around. Wipe down the shower after each use.
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Re-caulk your tile if the caulk is not sparkling white.
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Put out fresh towels and decorative soaps for showings.
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Set the scene by setting the table. This throws the spotlight on your lovely dining room or eat-in kitchen.
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The kitchen should always be kept spotlessly clean.
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Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.
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Shampoo all carpets and vacuum them daily.
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If you can’t get the carpet completely clean, replace it.
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Improve traffic flow and increase visual space by removing unnecessary furniture, knickknacks, toys, etc.
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Leave enough personal items out to avoid creating a sterile looking environment.
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Remove all grease from range hoods, stove tops, walls, etc.
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Clear rubbish out of the fireplace and keep it clean in the winter.
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Put away your family photos until the house is in contract. This will make it easier for prospective buyers to envision themselves in your space.
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Remove all unnecessary items from the attic, basement, garage, tool shed, and especially from the storage area if you have one.
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Rent storage space for these items, or have a yard sale.
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Fix the front doorbell.
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Invest in a new doormat.
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Make sure that all your doors work properly. Repair or replace them if necessary.
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Create the feeling of a spacious entryway by using decorative accents such as mirrors and rugs. Remove all clutter.
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Do a spring cleaning no matter what time of year it is. Clean everything, from the attic to the basement.
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Wash all windows, inside, and out.
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Clean all light bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers to brighten your home.
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Remove all unpleasant odors caused by smoke, pets, etc.
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Remove posters and adhesive from walls and doors. Putty all nail holes and any other holes in the walls.
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Depersonalize your teenagers’ rooms and decorate them in a more neutral manner.
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Clean or paint the basement walls and floor.
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Paint all interior walls off-white paint. Use two or more coats to cover bold, bright, or dark colors.
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All walls should be painted, not just washed. This will brighten the rooms and make them look bigger.
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Repair or replace broken banisters and handrails.
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Repair or replace loose or dangling wallpaper.
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If the basement shows any sign of water or structural damage, it may be necessary to obtain a structural engineer’s report.
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Replace all toilets bowls if you cannot get them spotlessly clean.
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Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
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Replace the washers in faucets and remove rust stains from basins.
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Water and prune all plants.
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Use plants in entryways, etc. to create a transition between indoors and out.
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Get rid of dying plants or keep them out of sight.
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Remove extraneous extension cords and exposed wires.
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Open doors to all the areas you want buyers to see, such as walk-in closets, pantries, etc.
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Close all other cabinet and room doors.
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If you have an attic, make the most of it. Air it out and add decorations if possible.
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Add visual appeal to stairways, especially the unfinished stairway leading to the basement.
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Keep you yard mowed, raked, fertilized, and watered at all times.
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Remove all toys, bikes, tools, and unsightly items from the yard.
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Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned.
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Lawns and gardens should be weeded at all times.
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Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkways, and patio.
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Keep hoses and garden equipment out of sight.
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Outdoor furniture should be cleaned and repaired if necessary.
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Stack firewood neatly and out of sight.
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Evaluate your mailbox with a critical eye. Paint, repair, or replace it if necessary.
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Make all necessary minor repairs to the exterior of your house.
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Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, and other extensions of the house should be uncluttered, swept, and in good condition.
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Paint all entrance doors.
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Shades and awnings should be in good condition. Replace them if their color has faded. Remove all windsocks.
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Create an outside living/dining area with furniture and plants.
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Highlight your pool area, water garden, etc. using lighting, benches, planters and flowering plants.
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For buyers who visit during the day, take nighttime photos of your decorative yard lighting systems.
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If you are planning to sell your home later in the season, take pictures of your flowering mature landscaping now.
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Display these photos in your home for the buyer to see.
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Clean and polish all accessories, such as doorknobs, door knockers, lamps and address numbers.
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Clean, repair, and paint all gutters and down spouts.
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Secure or replace all roof shingles or tiles. If the roof leaks, fix it.
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Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint it if necessary.
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Paint the chimney and replace broken bricks or stones.
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Painting your home’s exterior can really make the difference between “turning on” a buyer and raising concern about the condition of your home.
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Arrive at an equitable asking price with the help of an appraisal.
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Don’t be afraid to accept the first offer.
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Obtain a floor plan of your home if possible.
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Assemble house records for the buyers review.
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Provide a map of your area and highlight places of special interest.
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Enlist the services of a professional marketing agent such as Paula McDaniel to market your house in trade magazines, in newspapers and with sign brochures.
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