Preparing to Sell Your Home

When viewing properties, buyers have quite a selection of homes to choose from, so it is important that your home shows as well as possible. Below is a checklist of items that influence a buyer's first impression:

Interior:

• Remove unnecessary furniture so that the room appears larger and more open
• Decide what stays and what goes. Have a garage sale and consider a storage unit to move items off-site
• Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves
• Clean all light fixtures, ceiling fans, and baseboards
• Shampoo carpets
• Remove excessive wall hangings and knickknacks
• Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps
• Make necessary minor repairs such as discolored grout and broken tiles
• Clean or paint walls and ceilings
• Replace worn cabinet and door knobs
• Keep ovens, stoves or surface units and all porcelain or stainless steel clean
• Replace worn countertops
• Keep pets secured outdoors
• Consider buying new bedding for bedrooms
• Replace old lamps or lampshades
• Play quiet background music
• Light the fireplace or clean out the ashes and light a candelabrum
• Remove any odors an add a comforting scent such as cinnamon or vanilla
• Stage the home and set the dining room table for a fancy dinner party
• Replace old furnace filters and remove any dust accumulationsfrom heat registers or vent covers
• If doors stick or folding are off track, repair them
• If any rooms within the house are dark during daylight hours, keep curtains or drapes open and if necessary, keep a lamp on. Also, make sure that all windows are clean and gleaming. A bright, cheerful room is pleasing and gives an air of spaciousness
• Replace any burned out light bulbs, especially in the basement or darker rooms
• Pack personal collections and photos. Too much seller personality prevents buyers from taking 'personal possession' of a home
• Put jewelry, checkbooks and other valuables in a secure place
• Vacate the property while it is being shown