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With the exception of the price, first impressions are probably the most important aspect of selling your home. So when you put your house on the market, it pays to get it in tiptop shape.
Although a Real Estate Agent can provide invaluable services to you in selling your home, it's up to you to cooperate with your broker's sales efforts by making sure your house looks its best.
Look at your property as if you were a prospective buyer. Pretend you're seeing it for the first time and try to notice its highlights and drawbacks. Then start sprucing up in order to emphasize and add to the good points.
That's often easier said than done, however. It's easy to overlook something unless you spruce up systematically. The professionals at Title West have prepared the following checklist that can help virtually any property look its best.
Proceed critically down the list. Check off the items that apply to your house. If an item calls for an expenditure, your broker can help you decide whether it's worth the investment.
Let the Broker Sell
If you and your family are at home when the broker brings in a prospect, relax and let the expert show and tell. Don't tag along. Answer questions carefully when they're asked, but don't offer answers to unasked questions.
If you've looked at your house like a buyer and attended to the items on our list that apply to it, your house will sell itself - with help from your broker, of course.
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Outside
• Trim shrubs
• Mow lawn
• Weed flower beds
• Edge lawn
• Repair walk, driveway
• Repair porch, steps
• Clean porch light, lamppost
• Shovel walk, driveway in winter
• Clean siding
• Paint trim, front of house
• Paint sides, back of house
• Repair roof, gutters, downspouts
• Paint front door, mailbox
• Repair/replace storm door
• Clean/repair screens, storm windows
• Clean/paint/repair garage -
dispose of what you don't intend to keep
Inside - general
• Paint where necessary
• Clean/fix windows
• Clean/polish floors
• Replace burned out light bulbs and brighten lighting with more powerful bulbs
• Make sure doors, windows are operating freely - lubricate with wax if necessary
• Fix squeaking floors
• Fix light switches
• Repair/repaint cracked walls, ceilings
• Fix faucet drips
• Clear clogged drains
• Clean fireplace, lay logs for fire
• Straighten all closets
• Use room deodorants to remove mustiness
• Vacuum/shampoo rugs
• Clean/polish heating elements - furnace, boiler, etc.
• Neaten up, throw away what you're not going to move
Kitchen
• Clean/paint cabinets
• Use bright curtains
• Clean ventilating hood, fan
• Repair/clean/wax floor
• Clear off counter tops to make kitchen look spacious and neat
• Make sure drawers slide smoothly
• Put appliances out of sight, stack items neatly in cabinets
• Clean/polish appliances - inside and out
Bathroom/powder room
• Put out fresh towels
• Clean fixtures, tub, toilet
• Replace toilet seat
• Clean shower curtain
Bedrooms
• Make beds
• Use most attractive bedspread, curtains
Living room/den
• Plump cushions
• Stack newspapers, magazines
• Clean television screen
Dining room
• Polish table, buffet, etc.
• Clean glass in china cabinet
• Make sure chair seats are in good shape
Laundry area
• Remove hanging clothes
• Put away powders, sprays, etc.
• Clean/polish washer, dryer, tub
Remember buyers want:
• Clean, clean, clean.
• Uncluttered.
• Organized.
• Repairs
• A little paint goes a long way.
• Nobody likes leaky faucets.
• Remember most people are highly sensitive to kitchen and bath areas - make sure they are spotless. Make any necessary repairs (replace tiles etc.)
• Remove any items that will not be sold with the house.
• Put in clean air filters every week instead of monthly.
• If you have a pet, leave it outside.
• If you smoke, keep ashtrays clean.
• Are there any odors in the house? (Have a friend who does not live in the house check for you).
• Exterior - replace and paint any wood necessary (check fascia boards).
• Keep lawn neatly manicured.
• Wash windows.
• Set potted plants near entrances.
• Be very objective when selling your home. Look at it as a business transaction.
• First impressions are lasting impressions.
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