Preparing Your Home for Sale

A clean, neat home of few or no repairs will sell faster, and at a higher price, than one that is showing wear and tear. To give your home its best possible presentation, perform a mini-makeover or have your home professionally staged before it’s shown to potential buyers. Your Windermere agent can do a final walk-through with you to make sure no details have been overlooked. Here’s a list of tips that will help you make your home more attractive. Some of the items below will be part of a buyer’s inspection and may need to be repaired or replaced as part of the transaction. Your Windermere agent will discuss these important items with you to help make a well-informed decision.

Repair and Cleaning Checklist

Exteriors

• Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat.
• Clear gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure there is good exterior lighting and all walkway and front door lights work.
• Remove any moss from the roof

Yard

• Mow and trim grass; re-seed and fertilize where necessary.
• Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs.
• Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs and trees.
• Clean grease and oil stains from driveway.
• Weed flower beds.

Decks/Patios

• Paint or stain worm areas in wood decks.
• Remove grass gowning in concrete cracks; sweep off debris from shrubs and trees.
• Clean all deck rails and make sure they’re secure; replace missing slats or posts.

Front Door

• Polish the hardware on the door until it shines.
• Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks.
• Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain the screen is secure.
• make sure the doorbell operates properly and there are no squeaks when the door opens and closes.

Windows

• Clean all windows–inside and out.
• If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the window trims and sills.
• Make sure all windows open and close easily.
• Replace cracked windowpanes and those with broken seals.
• Make sure window screens are secure; replace any screens with holes or tears.

Entry

• Clean entryway floors and area rugs.
• Downsize clutter in entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness.
• Double-check entry lighting to make sure it works.

Living Room/Dining Room/Family Room

• Give the room a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
• Repair cracks and holes in ceiling and walls.
• Make sure all wallpaper is secure.
• Repaint any woodwork that is worn or chipped.
• Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light.
• Make sure draperies and blinds open and close.
• Wash windows.
• Steam-clean carpets. Clean rugs and wood flooring, and remove any stains or odors.
• Position the furniture to showcase the size and space of the room.
• Remove and replace any attached items, such as chandeliers and draperies, that you wish to move with you.
• Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables.

Kitchen

• Make sure countertops and sinks are clean and stain-free.
• Fix dripping faucets.
• Organize pantry and cupboards so they appear clean, neat and spacious.
• Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are defrosted and free of odors.
• Clean the oven and cook-top thoroughly.

Bathrooms

• Make sure sinks, tubs, showers and countertops are clean and free of stains.
• Repair any leaky faucets.
• Remove grout and soap stains from tile.
• Replace any missing or cracked tiles or grout.
• Make sure all joints are caulked.
• Make sure all fixtures, including heat lamps and exhaust fans, are operating.
• Install a new shower curtain.
• Store all supplies, such as toilet paper, shampoo bottles and cleansers.

Bedrooms

• Repair cracks in ceiling and walls.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
• Make sure wallpaper is secure.
• Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light.
• Put away toys, clothes.
• Neatly make up the beds.

Basement

• Check for water penetration or dampness; call for professional repairs if necessary.
• Get rid of musty odors.
• Clean furnace and drains.
• Make sure light fixtures work.
• Arrange storage area in a neat and organized manner.
• Sweep floor.
• Make sure stairway handrail is secure.

Tidy Extras

• Plant flowers to brighten a walkway and enrich the entry.
• Remove any indoor house plants that are brown or losing their leaves.
• Remove all “fixer” cars, campers and boats from property.
• Discard the clutter of magazines on the coffee and end tables.
• Hide or get rid of worn-out throw pillows.
• Replace shower curtains and invest in a matching set of towels in the bathroom.
• At night, turn on porch light and outdoor light and outdoor lighting. Buyers often drive by homes they are considering at various times of the day.