For Sellers
General Sellers Checklist
- DECLUTTER & CLEAN
Clean the bathroom(s) and put out fresh towels. Close the lid on the toilets and make sure the bathroom mirrors sparkle.
Make sure the air is fresh. Be careful about using air fresheners or candles as some people are allergic to them. Instead, open windows to let the fresh outside air in (especially if you have pets or smoke), be diligent about taking out the household trash, cleaning the cat box and the dog beds, making sure pet food supplies are stored in Tupperwear containers and airing out the beds people sleep in before making them. You might be used to the smell of your home, so if you’re not sure, ask a good friend to come over and check your house.
Control clutter. Try to get as many personal items off surfaces as possible. It’s worthwhile to invest in an extra shelf or two for the closets. You want your prospective buyer to feel like there would be room in the home for all of their stuff. Linen, pantry and bedroom closets should be tidy and organized to show how much space there really is. The good news is this is an inexpensive fix.
2. LET THERE BE LIGHT
Repair those broken light fixtures, putting in new bulbs, moving furniture away from windows, replacing dirty drapes, opening curtains and blinds for a showing, and washing windows. Don’t let the little things that come up often on an inspection report become an unnecessary hassle for you.
3. STAGE THE HOUSE
Around 80% percent of the agents surveyed recommend home staging, which includes old-fashioned tips like putting out fresh flowers, and more new-fangled techniques like rearranging furniture for better views. If possible, keep a room’s furnishings to two or three colors, and have all the furniture be facing frontwards as you’re not going to want potential buyers to see the backs of your furniture when walking into a room.
4. KEEP OFF THE GRASS
Never underestimate the power of landscaping when it comes to a listing! Water and mow the lawn, get rid of dead leaves on the shrubs, and put out new plants. Clean up the entry and front door — curb appeal is what gets buyers in the door.
5. HOW HANDY ARE YOU?
There are 5 main aspects of handy house work that make for a great fix: making plumbing and electrical repairs. Stop toilets from gurgling, repair or replace leaky faucets, and make sure all your electrical outlets work.
6. LOCK UP YOUR VALUABLES!
It is very important that personal items such as medications, jewelry, valuables and firearms be removed from the home or locked in a safe for your protection.
>> Last but not least, DON’T FORGET TO ASK YOUR REALTOR QUESTIONS!