First impressions count. Prospective buyers will come to your property and go through your home, often with a fine toothed comb. An investment in time and money will often give your home an advantage over other similar listings when showing it to potential buyers. The following is a checklist of tips and comments that will assist you in preparing your home for sale.

General Impressions

• House exterior is in good repair

First Impressions

• Clean and tidy entrance
• Functional doorbell
• Polished and functional door hardware
• Fresh air in house – especially after cooking
• Seasonal:
  • Summer – lawn cut and raked; hedges and shrubs trimmed; garden weeded
  • Fall – leaves raked; walkway, decks and patio swept
  • Winter – clear snow and ice; sand/salt walkways if required

Interior Maintenance

• repair cracked plaster
• touch up paint
• tighten door knobs and cupboard latches
• clean furnace and humidifier
• replace light bulbs
• oil squeaky doors

Bathrooms

• polish mirrors and fixtures
• repair leaky taps and toilets
• ensure seals around tubs and basins are in good repair
• clean the floors
• empty the garbage
• put away clutter
• clean inside of cupboards and cabinets
• ensure towels are clean and matching

Kitchen

• polish sinks and taps
• clean appliances
• put away small appliances
• put away clutter
• clean inside of cupboards and cabinets
• clear and clean countertops

Creating the Right Atmosphere

• turn on all lights
• turn on air conditioner in warm weather
• turn on fireplace in cool weather
• ensure closets are neat and tidy
• clear all halls and stairs of clutter
• open draped during the day
• vacuum carpets

Valuables

• lock valuables safely away or take with you
• keep safely out of reach if not put away

For the Showing

• remove or contain pets during showings
• try to be out of the home during showing. If this is not possible:
  • let the realtor show the property
  • don’t follow – stay in the background unless asked a question
  • do not offer too much information