1. INTERIOR o Magazines/ o Awards/Trophies ONGOING CLEANING
Preparing Your Home To Sell o Refrigerator Newspapers o Collections
Continue with daily/weekly yardwork (ie. mowing,
trimming) and general cleaning (ie. vacuuming,dusting,
The condition of your home can either detract from or Magnets o Personal o Games disinfecting, picking up)
enhance its appeal. This checklist is designed to provide you o Valuables Knick-Knacks o Curios
with an easy and systematic approach to improving your o Posters o Paperwork EXTERIOR INTERIOR o Clutter (picked
o Family Photos
home’s sales appeal. Six steps are outlined in the checklist. o Lawn o Litter Boxes up, inside & out)
Please note: • remove pet o Trash Cans o Kitchen Counters
n The checklist is most effective when you review the steps
Cleaning & Maintenance droppings o Ashtrays & Appliances
in order. A house that is dirty and disorganized will stop a buyer cold. o Shrubs o Laundry o Dishes
n Some items (i.e. lawn, kitchen, bath, etc.) appear in multi- Before putting your home on the market, perform a thorough o Driveway o Carpets/Throw o Bathrooms
ple categories. However, you will be checking for different cleaning and maintenance check. Remember…your home o Sidewalks Rugs
things in each category. must be ready to show at ALL times, so continue with ongo- o Front Entrance o Wood & Tile
ing daily and weekly cleaning. o Patio/Deck Floors
n The first three steps involve removing detractions. These
are must-do’s because they will catch the buyer’s attention MAINTENANCE o Remove Snow o Windows
and leave a negative impression if not corrected. Make certain each of the following are operable and in (if applicable) o Furniture
good condition (i.e. secure, not broken or damaged,etc.). o Rake Leaves o Woodwork
n The last three steps involve making enhancements. These
are suggestions that may help your home shine and stand EXTERIOR o Door Hinges o Fireplace (if applicable) o Mirrors & Glass
out from others on the market. o Trees & Shrubs o Door Handles o Tub and Shower o Close Garage o Make beds
Be sure to consult with your real estate professional and o Windowpanes & Locks Caulking Doors
get his or her suggestions for your personal selling situation. o Windows INTERIOR o Drains
Good Luck — you’re well on your way to a successful sale! (move freely) o Walls (spackle o Faucets 5-Sense Appeal
o Chimney & paint) o Toilets
Buyers will discover your home through the five senses…
o Outdoor Lights o Handrails o Air Conditioner
Major Repairs o Garage Door o Light Switches & Furnace Filters
sight, sound, taste, touch and smell. By enhancing your home
to appeal to each sense, you maximize the likelihood that
The items in this section may result in substantial expense; Opener & Plugs buyers will desire your home.
but if you have obvious problems, it’s important to fix them o Doorbell o Light Fixtures Consider doing the following steps to increase your
or they may prevent your home from selling. home’s sales appeal…the rewards could be substantial.
Following are the items buyers will perceive as needing MAJOR CLEANING
major repairs. Consider replacing, repairing or repainting Perform a “cleaning overhaul” of your home. The items SIGHT
if they are damaged,defective or worn out. on this list should be cleaned from top to bottom and o Manicure the front lawn o Turn all lights on for
neatly organized or manicured. You may even want to o Trim low tree limbs showings
EXTERIOR o Windows o Water Heater consider professional services.
o Sidewalks o Screens o Furnace o Prune shrubs o Open or remove curtains
EXTERIOR o Ceilings o Kitchen (must o Remove weeds o Remove unnecessary pieces
o Steps INTERIOR o Air Conditioner o Lawn o Light Fixtures be extra clean)
o Driveway o Basement o Powerwash the exterior of furniture
o Flooring o Shrubs & Trees o Ceiling Fans • cupboards
o Foundation (moisture) o Paint or stain the front door o Rearrange furniture to create
o Ceilings & Walls o Garage o Electric Cords • drawers
o Siding o Electrical o Polish house numbers, space
o Paint & (grease spots) (remove or hide) • refrigerator
o Roof o Septic Tank front door handles & mailbox o Light a fire in the fireplace
Wallpaper o Front Entrance o Fireplace • freezer (defrost)
o Gutters/ o Use higher wattage light o Repaint walls that reflect
o Trim INTERIOR (incl. chimney) • oven
Downspouts bulbs personal taste
o Countertops o Carpeting o Closets • stove and
o Fencing o Appliances (steam clean) o Sinks (leak vent fan SOUND
o Wood Floors stains) o Bathroom (must o Close windows that back up o Play soft music (jazz
Depersonalizing o Tile Floors (wax) o Plants (remove be extra clean) to busy roads or easy listening)
o Drapes if unhealthy) • regrout tile o Turn off all televisions o Remove yourselves, pets &
Depersonalizing involves removing those items that reflect (steam clean) o Boxes (store o Turn off all appliances children during showings
your family’s personal tastes. It is an inexpensive process that o Window Sills in neat piles)
will have a great impact on your home’s appearance. (i.e. dishwashers, laundry)
o Windows, o Furnace o Fix all squeaks (i.e. stairs,
Remove and store the following…either out-of-sight or
neatly packed up and out of the way. Glass & Mirrors o Air Conditioner floors, hinges)
o Baseboards o Attic
EXTERIOR o Recreational o Gardening Tools
o Walls o Basement
o Vehicles Vehicles o Toys & Sports
(put in garage) o Trailers Equipment
o Lawn Equipment

2. Before making any major improvements, please check
5-Sense Appeal (cont’d from page 4) INTERIOR o Replace economy light fix- with your real estate professional; he or she has the
o Display fresh or dried flower tures with attractive fixtures experience to make suggestions for your home.
TASTE arrangement in living room o Install combination ceiling o Garage Door Opener o Landscaping
o Make home appear appetiz- o Clean oven & entry way fan/light fixtures where appro- o Additional Telephone o Update/Remodel Kitchen
ing. Buyers should be able to o Clean refrigerator (put fresh o Place fresh flowers on din- priate Outlets • replace outdated appliances
visualize themselves eating baking soda on shelf) ing and coffee tables o Install a dimmer switch in o Skylights • add disposal
there. o Display a basket of fruit o Display large green plants the dining room o Security System • add a double oven
o Sanitize kitchen sink and throughout the home o Replace switch or plug o Yard Lights • install new flooring
counters (be careful not to overdo it) plates with brass or wood o Deck or Patio • add new countertops
o Set dining table with plates, o Cover switch or plug plates o Yard Shed o Update Bathrooms
TOUCH flatware, glasses & cloth with matching wallpaper o Garage • add whirlpool tub
o Add soft/padded rugs to o Set room temperature napkins w/rings o Add a set of matching tow- o Fireplace • new ceramic tile
hard floors around 68˚-72˚ o Apply polyurethane to cabi- els, flowers & scented soaps o Central Air Conditioning • new toilet or vanity
o Oil drawers, cabinets and o Run a dehumidifier in the nets, woodwork and exposed in bathrooms o Sprinkler System • add an additional or
door mechanisms basement brick o Replace shower curtains o Bay or Garden Windows guest bath
o Paint ceilings with a pure o Install flourescent lighting o Hot Tub or Swimming Pool
SMELL white semi-gloss in basement.
Eliminate negative smells: Add pleasant scents:
o Add trim moldings to o Replace ordinary slab doors
o Pet odors (may require o Fresh flowers
professional cleaning) o Light potpourri (cinnamon
enhance rooms with standard with paneled doors Inclusions & Exclusions
eight-foot ceilings
o Smoke (may require or vanilla) This section deals with those items that you do not intend to
professional cleaning) o Candles (they absorb odors) sell, but are often mistaken as fixtures by buyers. Whenever
SEASONAL TIPS
o Food odors (i.e. garlic, o Put a lemon down the dis- practical, remove items not intended for sale prior to show-
Summer
cooking oil, fish) posal ings.
o Set air conditioning to cooler temperature
o Air fresheners (they make it o Sprinkle vanilla extract on Be sure to talk with your real estate professional about
o Keep lawn watered
the items on this list and any others that might be
seem as if your hiding oven walls, heat to 350˚ Fall applicable to your own selling situation.
something) o Cinnamon or pinch of cloves o Hang a harvest wreath on door
o Trash cans & compactors o Appliances o Gazebos
in boiling water o Display pumpkins and autumn flower arrangements
(add baking soda) o Lilac and rose scented soaps o Chandeliers/Light Fixtures o Basketball Hoops
Winter o Shelving o Dog Runs/Kennels
in the baths o Setup a place for boots and shoes
o Place a rug and/or plastic runner near front door o Bookcases o Fuel Oil
o Mirrors o Carpeting
Detailing o Keep a crackling fire burning in the fireplace
o Draperies o Grills
o Shovel sidewalks then sand any ice
Detailing is the process of adding extra touches and accents o Build a snowman in the front yard o Faucets o Birdhouses
that are subtle but have a huge impact on buyers’emotions. Spring o Firewood o Landscaping/Yard Ornaments
These extra touches will make it easier for buyers to see o Plant outdoor flowers (especially in front )
themselves living in the home. Consider adding the follow- o Hang a bright-colored wreath on the front door Compliments of:
ing details:
EXTERIOR
o Sealcoat driveway o Add potted or hanging
Major Improvements
o Replace old storm doors flowers to the front entrance In most cases major improvements rarely result in a dollar-for-
with full view doors o Hang a wreath on the front dollar return, but they might mean the difference between sell-
o Replace old house numbers door ing or not selling. Be careful not to overimprove by adding
with brass numbers o Consider adding shutters amenities that are uncommon in your neighborhood or price
o Replace old mailbox & painted with contrasting range.
outside light with brass colors NOTE: This list may include items that seem extreme for
your geographic region, neighborhood or price range. The list
o Add flowers in window o Clean downspouts/gutters is designed to provide you with ideas and certainly not all of
boxes them will apply.
© Copyright 1996 David Knox Productions,Inc. All Rights Reserved.