Home prep checklist

What more could you want than to get your home sold for top dollar in short order without any hassles? If you take a moment and read through the following suggestions before you put the property on the market, you ’ll be on your way to a successful sale.

The list of items will help your home show larger and brighter and give a more spacious feeling to potential buyer, giving you an advantage over competition.

WHILE ON THE MARKET

Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times Keep closets, drawers and cabinets organized

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE

Open curtains, pull up shades and let in sunlight Create a positive mood with lights using high wattage bulbs Remove clutter to visually enlarge rooms Highlight your fireplace if you have one Have a family “ game plan ” to get the home in order quickly, if need be Air out your home for one-half hour before showings if possible Lightly spray the house with air fresher so that it has a chance to diffuse before buyers visit Remove personal items such as family portraits and religious artifacts Remove uneccessary furniture to improve traffic flow Putty over and paint any nail holes or mishaps on the walls

THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE CONTINUED

Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper Clean and replace all light bulbs and light fixtures Wash all windows - inside and out Use plants in transitional areas of your home Make the most of your attic ’ s potential Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and wires Open doors to areas you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attics, etc. Remove all smoke and pet odors Repair or replace banisters and handrails Clean out fireplace

IN THE KITCHEN

Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner The kitchen and bathrooms should always be spotlessly clean Expand counter space by removing small appliances

IN THE BEDROOMS

Create a master suite effect in your decorating Depersonalize bedrooms and decorate in a neutral color scheme Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage

IN THE BATHROOMS

Do not leave towels around and wipe down the sinks and shower areas after each use Re-caulk the tub in the caulk is not sparkling white Bleach dirty grout Repair or replace broken tiles in the shower/tub Replace shower curtains and keep them clean

OUTSIDE

Keep the yard mowed and raked at all times Remove all toys, bikes, tools and unsightly patio furniture Paint all entrance doors and make sure garage door functions properly Trees and shrubs should be trimmed and pruned