YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL
• MOW LAWN
• TRIM SHRUBS
• EDGE GARDENS AND WALKWAYS
• WEED AND MULCH
• SWEEP WALKWAYS AND DRIVEWAY; REMOVE BRANCHES, LITTER OR TOYS
• ADD COLOR AND FILL IN BARE SPOTS WITH PLANTINGS
• REMOVE MILDEW OR MOSS FROM WALLS OR WALKS WITH BLEACH AND WATER OR OTHER CLEANER
• TAKE STAINS OFF YOUR DRIVEWAY WITH CLEANSER OR KITTY LITTER
• STACK WOODPILE NEATLY
• CLEAN AND REPAIR PATIO AND DECK AREA
• REMOVE ANY OUTDOOR FURNITURE WHICH IS NOT IN GOOD REPAIR
• MAKE SURE POOL OR SPA SPARKLES
• REPLACE OLD STORM DOORS
• CHECK FOR FLAT-FITTING ROOF SHINGLES
• REPAIR BROKEN WINDOWS AND SHUTTERS, REPLACE TORN SCREENS, MAKE SURE FRAMES AND SEAMS HAVE SOLID CAULKING
• HOSE OFF EXTERIOR WOOD AND TRIM, REPLACE DAMAGED BRICKS OR WOOD
• TOUCH UP EXTERIOR PAINT, REPAIR GUTTERS AND EAVES
• CLEAN AND REMOVE RUST FROM ANY
• ADD A NEW FRONT DOOR MAT AND CONSIDER A SEASONAL DOOR DECORATION
• SHINE BRASS HARDWARE ON FRONT DOOR, OUTSIDE LIGHT FIXTURES, ETC.
• MAKE SURE DOORBELL IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER
GENERAL INTERIOR TIPS
• ADD A FRESH COAT OF INTERIOR PAINT IN LIGHT, NEUTRAL COLORS
• SHAMPOO CARPETING, REPLACE IF NECESSARY
• CLEAN AND WAX HARDWOOD FLOORS, REFINISH IF NECESSARY
• CLEAN AND WASH KITCHEN AND BATHROOM FLOORS
• WASH ALL WINDOWS, VACUUM BLINDS, WASH WINDOW SILLS
• CLEAN THE FIREPLACE
• CLEAN OUT AND ORGANIZE CLOSETS, ADD EXTRA SPACE BY PACKING CLOTHES AND ITEMS YOU WON'T NEED AGAIN UNTIL AFTER YOU'VE MOVED
• REMOVE EXTRA FURNITURE, WORN RUGS, AND ITEMS YOU DON'T USE; KEEP PAPERS, TOYS, ETC. PICKED UP - ESPECIALLY ON STAIRWAYS
• REPAIR PROBLEMS SUCH AS LOOSE DOOR KNOBS, CRACKED MOLDING, LEAKING TAPS AND TOILETS, SQUEAKY DOORS, CLOSETS OR SCREEN DOORS WHICH ARE OFF THEIR TRACKS
• ADD DISHES OF POTPOURRI, OR DROP OF VANILLA OR BATH OIL ON LIGHT BULBS FOR SCENT
• SECURE JEWELRY, CASH AND OTHER VALUABLES
THE LIVING ROOM
• MAKE IT COZY AND INVITING, DISCARD CHIPPED OR WORN FURNITURE AND FRAYED OR WORN RUGS
THE DINING ROOM
• POLISH ANY VISIBLE SILVER AND CRYSTAL
• SET THE TABLE FOR A FORMAL DINNER TO HELP VIEWERS IMAGINE ENTERTAINING THERE
THE KITCHEN
• MAKE SURE APPLIANCES ARE SPOTLESS INSIDE AND OUT - TRY BAKING SODA FOR CLEANING FORMICA STAINS
• MAKE SURE ALL APPLIANCES ARE IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER
• CLEAN OFTEN-FORGOTTEN SPOTS ON TOP OF REFRIGERATOR AND UNDER SINK
• WAX OR SPONGE FLOOR FOR BRILLIANT SHINE, CLEAN BASEBOARDS
• UNCLUTTER ALL COUNTER SPACE, REMOVE COUNTERTOP APPLIANCES
• ORGANIZE ITEMS INSIDE CABINETS, PRE-PACK ANYTHING YOU WON'T BE USING BEFORE YOU MOVE
THE BATHROOMS
• REMOVE ALL RUST AND MILDEW
• MAKE SURE TILE, FIXTURES, SHOWER DOORS, ETC. ARE IMMACULATE AND SHINING
• REPLACE LOOSE CAULKING OR GROUT
• MAKE SURE LIGHTING IS BRIGHT, BUT SOFT
THE MASTER BEDROOM
• ORGANIZE FURNISHINGS TO CREATE A SPACIOUS LOOK WITH WELL-DEFINED SITTING, SLEEPING, AND DRESSING AREAS
THE GARAGE
• SELL, GIVE AWAY, OR THROW OUT UNNECESSARY ITEMS
• CLEAN OILY CEMENT FLOOR
• PROVIDE STRONG OVERHEAD LIGHT
• TIDY STORAGE OR WORK AREAS
THE BASEMENT
• SELL, GIVE AWAY, OR THROW OUT UNNECESSARY ITEMS
• ORGANIZE AND CREATE MORE FLOOR SPACE BY HANGING TOOLS AND PLACING ITEMS ON SHELVES
• CLEAN WATER HEATER AND DRAIN SEDIMENT
• CHANGE FURNACE FILTER
• MAKE INSPECTION ACCESS EASY
• CLEAN AND PAINT CONCRETE FLOOR AND WALLS
• PROVIDE STRONG OVERHEAD LIGHT
THE ATTIC
• TIDY UP BY DISCARDING OR PRE-PACKING
• MAKE SURE ENERGY-SAVING INSULATION IS APPARENT
• MAKE SURE AIR VENT IS IN WORKING ORDER
• PROVIDE STRONG OVERHEAD LIGHTING
WHEN IT'S TIME TO SHOW
• MAKE SURE YOUR PROPERTY PROFILE FOLDER, UTILITY BILLS, MLS PROFILE, HOUSE LOCATION SURVEY, ETC. ARE AVAILABLE
• OPEN ALL DRAPERIES AND SHADES
• TURN ON ALL LIGHTS
• PICK UP TOYS AND OTHER CLUTTER
• CHECK TO MAKE SURE BEDS ARE MADE AND CLOTHES ARE PUT AWAY
• GIVE THE CARPETS A QUICK VACUUMING
• ADD SOME STRATEGICALLY-PLACED FRESH FLOWERS
• OPEN BATHROOM WINDOWS FOR FRESH AIR
• POP A SPICY DESSERT OR JUST A PAN OF CINNAMON IN THE OVEN FOR AROMA
• TURN OFF THE TELEVISION AND TURN ON THE RADIO (MUSIC AT A LOW VOLUME)
• MAKE A FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE IF APPROPRIATE
• PUT PETS IN THE BACKYARD OR ARRANGE FOR A FRIEND TO KEEP THEM, MAKE SURE PET AREAS ARE CLEAN AND ODOR-FREE
• AND MAKE SURE ALL TRASH IS DISPOSED OF IN NEATLY COVERED BINS |
