Preparing Your Home for Sale.

Make any necessary repairs to your home before showing it. These may include faulty plumbing or electrical systems. If there are additional repairs specified by the buyer to be made before the sale of the home, these may be identified within the contract.

Aside from repairs, it also helps to touch up your new home, including carpet, curtains, blinds, paint, refinishing the floor, etc. If you find it frustrating to put time and energy into your home when you'll soon be moving, just remember that time put into sprucing up your home may result in a better selling price and a shorter selling period.

When you approach repairs and remodeling as an investment, you can have a quick return. I have an entire "Resource Directory" of folks to help you accomplish these tasks.

A clean, neat home in need of few or no repairs will sell faster, and at a higher price, than one that is run down. To give your home its best possible presentation, perform a mini-makeover before your home is shown to potential buyers.

Then, do a final walk-through with your real estate agent to make sure no details have been overlooked. Here's a list of tips that will help make your home more attractive. Some of the items below will be part of a buyer's inspection and may need to be repaired or replaced as part of the transaction. As your agent, I discuss these important items with you.

Repair and cleaning checklist:
Exterior:

• Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat.
• Clear gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure there is good exterior lighting and all walkway lights and front door lanterns work.
• Remove any moss from the roof.

Yard:

• Mow and trim grass; re-seed and fertilize where necessary.
• Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs.
• Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs and trees. Clean grease and oil stains from driveway.
• Weed flower beds.

Patios:

• Paint or stain worn areas in wood decks.
• Remove grass growing in concrete cracks; sweep off debris from shrubs and trees.
• Clean all fencing and make sure it's secure; replace missing slats or posts.

Front door:

• Polish the hardware on the door until it shines. Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks.
• Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain the screen is secure.
• Make sure the doorbell operates properly and there are no squeaks when the door opens and closes.

Windows:

• Clean all windows-inside and out.
• If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the window trims and sills.
• Make sure all windows open and close easily.
• Replace cracked windowpanes and those with broken seals.
• Make sure window screens are secure; replace any screens with holes or tears.

Entry:

• Clean entryway floors and area rugs.
• Downsize clutter in entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness.
• Double-check entry lighting to make sure it is operating.

Living room/dining room/family room:

• Give the room a fresh coat of paint, if necessary.
• Repair cracks and holes in ceiling and walls.
• Make sure all wallpaper is secured.
• Repaint any woodwork that is worn or chipped.
• Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light.
• Make sure draperies and blinds open and close.
• Wash windows.
• Steam-clean carpets. Clean rugs and wood flooring and remove any stains or odors.
• Position the furniture to showcase the size and space of the room.
• Remove and replace any attached items, such as chandeliers and draperies, that you wish to move with you.
• Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables.

Kitchen:

• Make sure countertops and sinks are clean and stain-free.
• Fix dripping faucets.
• Organize pantry and cupboards so they appear clean, neat and spacious. Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are defrosted and free of odors.
• Clean the oven and cook-top thoroughly.

Bathrooms:

• Make sure sinks, tubs, showers and countertops are clean and free of stains.
• Repair any leaky faucets.
• Remove grout and soap stains from tile.
• Replace any missing or cracked tiles or grout.
• Make sure all joints are caulked.
• Make sure all fixtures, including heat lamps and exhaust fans, are operating.
• Install a new shower curtain.
• Store all supplies like toilet paper, shampoo bottles and cleansers.

Bedrooms:

• Repair cracks in ceiling and walls.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary.
• Make sure wallpaper is secure.
• Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light.
• Put away toys, clothes.
• Neatly make up the beds.

Basement:

• Remove any evidence of water penetration or dampness.
• Get rid of musty odors.
• Clean and service furnace and drains.
• Make sure light fixtures are operating.
• Arrange storage area in a neat and organized manner.
• Sweep floor.
• Make sure stairway handrail is secure.

Tidy extras:

• Plant flowers to brighten a walkway and enrich the entry. Hide or remove any indoor houseplants that are brown or losing their leaves.
• Remove all fixer cars, campers and boats from the property.
• Discard the clutter of magazines on the coffee and end tables.
• Hide or get rid of worn-out throw pillows.
• Replace shower curtains and invest in a matching set of towels in the bathrooms.
• At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting. Buyers often drive by homes they are considering at various times of day.

Hope this checklist is helpful. If you wish more information, please contact me.