A spruced up house makes a great first impression on potential buyers.  An attractive property grabs their attention and makes them excited about finding a house that looks and feels well cared for.  If you prepare your home correctly, you will save time and money selling it while it’s on the market.
Clean and Remove Clutter

Buyers expect a spotless house, inside and out.  Clean everything, especially your windows and windowsills, scrub walls, floors, tile, ceilings, kitchen and bathrooms.  Wash scuff marks from doors and entryways, clean light fixtures and the fireplace. 

Help buyers to picture themselves and their possessions in your home by making your rooms feel large, airy and light.  Clean out your closets, as they are an important consideration for many buyers, make them look spacious.  Store and get rid of surplus items, consider a storage unit to eliminate clutter in the garage.
Clean and Maintain

- Windows, sills and screens
- Walls and floors
- Tile
- Ceilings
- Cupboards and drawers
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Light fixtures
- Ceiling fans
- Carpet and rugs
- Mirrors
- Garage
- Yard
- Gutters
- Replace furnace filter
- Dust furniture, TV and computer screens
- Closets
- Remove clutter
Repairs and Renovations

Don’t make major renovations just to sell your house since you are unlikely to recoup those costs from your selling price.  Make minor repairs to items such as leaky faucets, slow drains, torn screens, gutters, loose doorknobs, and broken windows.

Repair

- Leaky faucets and plumbing
- Torn screens
- Slow drains
- Gutters
- Loose doorknobs
- Deck boards
- Broken windows
- Electrical fixtures
- Water stain damage
- Broken appliances
- Damaged walls and ceilings
- Worn carpet and rugs
- Damages sidewalks and steps

Improvements

- Stain or paint deck
- Store tools
- Roll up garden hosepipe
- Paint or stain exterior
- Prune bushes and hedges
- Trim trees
- Mow lawn, fertilize, edge and trim
- Weed gardens, plant flowers
- Shovel driveways
- Stack firewood
- Clean out birdbaths
- Caulk windows and doors
- Repair and paint fences
- Seal asphalt driveway
- Make sure doors close properly
- Enhance front entryway
- Replace welcome mat

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