EXTERIOR

• Clean up all around the house.  Remove any debris—wood, toys or unnecessary items laying around the yard. Trim all hedges and shrubbery away from the house. Keep all gardens edged and mulched.
• Keep your lawn mowed, edged, free of weeds and in good condition—a green lawn makes a huge difference.
• Plant some color by the front door or porch/patio area with potted plants/flowers.  Keep them watered and in excellent condition.
• Clean your gutters, downspouts and roof. Wash/power wash siding, paths and driveways.
• Clean/wash all windows, shutters and the areas around your front, back/side and garage doors.
• Clean/wash outdoor light fixtures, replace light bulbs.
• Paint or touch up areas in need of repair.
• Wash patio furniture, grill and pool equipment (if you have a pool)
• Stage an outdoor space to suggest that you enjoy outside leisure activities.
• Clean or replace mail box
• No leaky faucets outside
• Clean garage—remove all clutter and organize it—try to make it as spacious as possible.
• Hang up bikes etc.  Make room for your cars.
• Keep trash area clean and organized
• Check/repair all screens, shutters, awnings, door hardware and that the doorbell is working.

INTERIORS

 

• Clean all clutter from each closet, drawer, cabinet or cupboard in every room—try to remove half of what you have—less is more.   Make sure that the remaining contents are neatly organized.
• Make each room as spacious as possible.  Store unnecessary items—toys, books, furniture, knick knacks, clothes etc.   (Donate to Good Will or another charity organization). This is a good time to clean house—it will be much easier to get organized now rather than later when that final moving day arrives.
• Take down/remove numerous personal photo’s, pictures, portraits, posters and awards—depersonalize each room.  You don’t want buyers distracted—you want them to imagine their own photos etc. on the walls.  Remember to patch nail and screw holes—touch-up paint or repaint the wall.
• Keep all drapes open and remove/replace if need be.
• Thoroughly clean the kitchen—remove all clutter from the counter tops, cabinets (sort through can goods/dry food etc. you’ll be surprised what you find).  All appliances should be sparkly clean inside and out and in good working order.  Remove clutter from refrigerator door.
• Clean tile grout, re-caulk in needed.  Tighten or replace loose doorknobs, cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges. Leaky faucets or clogged drains repaired.
• Clean and deodorize vents and exhaust hoods
• Clean bathrooms—interior and exterior (if you have one). Remove stains, mold from tubs, showers and sinks; clean grout.  Clean mirrors and chrome/brass fixtures.  Check for leaky faucets and clogged drains.  Put out fresh soap and towels that match your bathroom décor.  Replace shower curtain (if you have one) or make sure that the glass shower door is sparkly clean.
• Wash windows and glass doors/cabinets.
• Go through your entire home and touch up paint or repaint, walls, ceilings, trim, doors and cabinets.
• Make sure to change all light bulbs—keep lights on during showings, even during the day.
• Front foyer—as this is usually the first point of entry into your home make sure prospective buyers are greeted with style and grace.   You have only one chance to make a good first impression.
• Make sure you or your guests DON’T SMOKE in your home.
• Lastly put away all mail, store valuables in a safe place or anything you would not want a prospective buyer to see.  Please don’t stuff these items in drawers or cabinets—as these can easily be opened.

Once you have completed this process, we will take a walk through your home and decide if we need to add more finishing touches.  You may consider the services of a professional Home Stager or utilize Barbara’s expertise.   Home staging is about illusions.  It’s beyond decorating and cleaning. Staging makes your home look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer, more loving and, best of all it makes home buyers want to buy it.

All this may seem like a lot of work, and it is, but it means a quicker sale with less hassle and more money in your pocket.  Having more stuff in your home is not appealing to buyers. It can make them feel cramped, nervous and overall uncomfortable in your home which may result in a lower offer.

Traditionally, spring is the hottest season for real estate.  If you want to list your home during the spring market, now is a good time to start the cleaning process and preparing your home for sale.  Be diligent in your efforts, all the hard work will be worth the reward of a successful sale.