Get Ready To Sell

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Get Ready To Sell

You’ve made the decision to sell. So, now what? Every house is as unique as the person who owns it, but when you put your home on the market, there’s some universal truths you should abide by if you want to make even the most humble of abodes look like a million bucks. It all starts with the “3 C’s”: curb appeal, clutter (as in de-clutter), and cleanliness.

The list below will walk you through this and everything else you need to know about getting a home in ship shape for selling. Click on the section tiles below to jump to each section:

Exterior

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

Living Room

Give the room a fresh coat of paint if necessary (use neutral colors where possible).
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.
Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables.
Store family photos and other personal effects.
Leave some lighting on – especially in rooms without a lot of natural light.

Kitchen

Make sure countertops and sinks are clean, de-cluttered, 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.
Make sure dirty dishes are cleaned and put away every day.

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.

Deck/Patio

Paint or stain worn areas in wood decks.
Remove grass growing 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.

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.
Put away prescriptions, jewelry, and any items/valuables that are at risk for theft.

Entry/Front Door

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.

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/vacuum floor.
Make sure stairway handrail is secure.

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.

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See more in Selling:

Selling Overview

Selling Process