Home Prep Checklist
If you are thinking of selling in the next few weeks, or even months from now, there are things you should do to get your home into market shape! Sellers who take the time to make sure their home is market ready will be pleased when offers come in quickly. Here is a list of the most common items that I check when getting a home ready to sell:
Review walls and ceilings for small cracks.
Check the paint in each room.
Wipe down all baseboards and trim.
Clean all vents.
In the kitchen, cabinets need a cleaning, as does the fridge.
Give appliances a thorough cleaning.
Remove all the papers and magnets that might be on the fridge.
Clear kitchen counters of clutter.
Clean out drawers and cabinets in bathrooms.
Edit your towels to a single color that enhances the bathroom décor.
Check tile grout and replace if necessary. Do the same with the caulk.
Clean the bathroom fan.
Check all the light fixtures in the house to make sure they are working property and to replace all burned out bulbs.
Get carpets cleaned.
Clean all blinds and window treatments.
Wash all windows and outside doors and make sure they slide freely.
Declutter as much as possible. That means removing extra artwork that is cluttering up the walls, removing family tchotchkes and photography.
If there is a challenge with odors in your home, you can possibly use room deodorants or disinfectant sprays. There are also products out there specially-designed to handle pet odors.
Make sure the front door looks especially, clean, freshly painted if applicable, and inviting.
Verify decks and railing are in good repair and are freshly stained and/or painted.
Get the roof cleaned of moss and dust and make sure there are no issues that should be addressed before the home goes on the market.
Clean the gutters.
Pressure-wash all cement surfaces such as driveways and walkways.
Prune or remove plants that are partially dead or don’t look great and make sure to deadhead all dead flowers.
Make sure all container plants and pots look fresh and organized neatly.
Areas that are graveled may need a fresh coat of gravel.
Wind up the hose neatly.
Keep the grass trimmed neatly. If there are bare patches, cultivate some grass and keep it green.
Make sure outdoor furniture cushions are cleaned. Add a pop of color with outdoor pillows, freshly-potted plants, and hanging baskets.
Make sure garage door opener works.
Remove excess clutter from garage. Belongings should be neatly organized on racks or in cabinets wherever possible.
Clean the garage. Keep the floor swept.
If applicable, make sure crawl space under the house is clear of garbage, pests, etc.
And of course, give your home a thorough cleaning!
There may be additional custom items for your home that need to be added to this list. Although this may seem overwhelming, addressing each item will bring in more potential buyers. If you need help, I have specialists who can be called in to handle some of these items. Or, if you are concerned that this list is too long, let’s talk! I can help you prioritize and focus on the items that are of biggest concern.