WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Caton Properties: Home Selling Checklist
Home Appearance
Checklist
It’s Showtime!
Marketing your home is a team effort.
The following is our assessment on these issues to ensure your best
showing.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
In summer, a well manicured lawn and cleanly swept and
edged walkways.
In winter, snow and ice removed from walkways, steps and
driveways.
Freshly painted front door and mailbox.
Storm door condition satisfactory.
Front door glass clean and free of any finger prints and
animal prints.
Functional door bell.
Repair broken steps or walkway.
Absence of clutter in yard and driveway.
Polish and tighten door hardware.
Lighting fixtures operational.
Clean windows.
CLEANING AND DECORATING SELLS
Freshly painted walls and siding.
Faucets and toilets operational.
Clean washer, dryer, refrigerator, stove, ovens, sinks
and tubs.
Clean towels in bathrooms.
Fireplace cleaned and filled with logs.
Repair loose knobs, warped drawers and sticking windows
and doors.
Replace light bulbs and switches (especially in basement
and closets).
Oil squeaky doors.
PREPARE FOR SHOWING
Make your home as appealing as possible.
Open draperies and curtains, turn on all lights.
Turn off television sets.
Play quiet, low-keyed soft music.
Fresh flowers whenever possible; if it’s winter, display
color photo of your yard in full bloom.
Remove dogs or cats to the yard, or confine in one area.
If winter, light a fire in the fireplace.
Try to stay in one area of the house when it’s being
shown, or try to leave the home.
Once you’ve decided to put your home on the market, it’s
important to take a close look at it from the viewpoint
of a perspective buyer. Objectively evaluating each area
and then making your home “show ready” can have a major
pay-off in terms of the offers it will attract and how
soon those offers come in.
THE BIG PICTURE
There are seven key steps to making your home seem
larger, more appealing and, therefore, more valuable.
1. KEEP IT UNCLUTTERED
It will be neater and look larger. You want to convey a
spacious feeling.
2. KEEP IT CLEAN
This creates the impression that your home has been well
cared for. Fresh paint makes rooms look clean and new.
3. KEEP IT REPAIRED
Fix it before the buyer inquires about it.
The need for repairs can make or break a sale.
4. KEEP IT NEUTRAL
Get rid of distracting colors and personal accessories.
Neutral colors and simple décor help someone visualize
their own belongings in a room.
5. KEEP IT DYNAMIC
Make your home memorable! From fresh flowers to fresh
clean smells, your house should be inviting.
6. KEEP IT LIGHT AND BRIGHT
Open curtains and drapes to let the sunshine in. Turn on
the lights so your rooms come to life.
7. SHOWTIME!
Make a final check of every room. Put away any toys,
clothes, food or other “left out” items.
With the key steps in mind, take a specific inventory of
your home.
OUTSIDE
Trim, weed and tidy up lawn and garden.
Clean up pet areas; resod or seed.
Repair screens, windows and doors.
Add fresh bark under shrubs.
Add potted or hanging flowers to deck or porch.
IN THE KITCHEN
Clear away extra small appliances.
Remove stains and items from sink
Straighten memo area and remove papers.
Clean and deodorize vent or exhaust hood.
IN THE BATHROOM
Clean counters of extra toiletries. Store them out of
sight.
Remove stains and mold from sink, tub or shower.
Patch, caulk and grout as needed.
Put out attractive “for-show-only” towels.
IN THE LIVINGAND FAMILY ROOMS
Rearrange furniture for a more spacious feel. Remove any
extra pieces and store.
Spot clean carpets or rugs.
Have neutral paint or wallpaper.
Accent with fresh flowers.
Open the shades and drapes to let in light.
IN THE BEDROOM
Straighten up closets. Box and store clothing, shoes,
etc., as necessary.
Arrange toys to look appealing.
Add curtains or valances to rooms without them.
Remove attention-getting posters.
