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Ready-to-Sell Checklist

When selling your home, it's important to know which repairs and home improvement projects will increase the value of your home and help you get the most interest from homebuyers. Use this checklist to get your house ready for the market.

Carpet & Flooring Improvements:

If you have pets hire a professional to deodorize carpets
If needed, replace any worn carpet
If needed, steam clean carpet thoroughly
If needed, install new neutral-colored carpet with a thick padding so prospective buyers feel comfortable as they walk on your floors
Make sure carpets are secure. Stretch and tack down any loose or curling carpet
Make sure the carpets are vacuumed, free of pet hair and combed
If you decide to replace a linoleum floor, choose a neutral color that will have wide appeal
If your home has hardwood floors with room-size rugs, get the hardwood into its best condition with fresh non-slip floor polish or other coating to make it shimmer
Mop and vacuum floors
Replace worn out vent covers
Thoroughly clean linoleum floors in kitchen and bathroom

Clean & De-Clutter Improvements:

Appliances should be cleaned - inside and out
Clean all curtains, drapes and blinds
Clean or purchase new front door accessories
Clean the entryway carefully; it creates the buyers first interior impression of your home
Clean the inside of all kitchen and bathroom cabinets and neatly organize items on shelves
Clean windowsills
Doors should be oiled and squeak-free
Dry clean your drapes
Empty trash cans, recycling bins and ash trays
Ensure all doors, cabinets and drawers can open completely without any blockage
Exterminate any insect problems
Get rid of odors (pet, food)
Have a garage sale before the home is listed
Hire a professional cleaning service, once every few weeks while the house is on the market
If needed, remove clutter by renting off-site storage space
Keep baseboards clean and dusted
Keep bookshelves, entertainment units organized neatly
Keep clothing hung neatly, shoes organized
Keep screens clean and vacuumed
Keep shower curtains fresh and free from mildew
Keep stairways and corridors clear
Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and tubs should be immaculate
Make stairwells and corridors clutter-free
Mop and sweep all floors
Organize closets
Polish all interior woodwork
Remove appliances from kitchen counters to give a look of spaciousness
Remove oil spots from garage

Exterior Painting Improvements:

Paint door and doorframe
Paint exterior fixtures
Paint mailbox
Paint or clean front door and garage door
Paint or re-stain fence if it is peeling or dirty
Paint over any rust spots or streaks on downspouts
Paint shutters, make sure they are hung straight
Paint window ledges
Polish door handles and knockers
Remove rust from railing
Repair any damage to chimney
Repair holes in gutters and repair any separations from eaves
Repair or replace shingles or tiles missing from the roof
Sand and repaint areas with blistering or peeling paint
Seal cracks on porch and remove any standing water if concrete. If wood, secure railings and seal or paint as necessary
Straighten and clean antenna

Interior Painting Improvements:

Add new wallpaper if the current wallpaper is torn or withered. Make sure it adheres to the wall
All woodwork like stairwell railings and doors should be repainted and/or stained
Have leaks repaired & watermarks covered
If needed, repaint faded, worn or stained interior walls
Make sure that cracks in ceiling/walls are repaired
The windows should be washed and stain free. The window frames should be painted if necessary and the hinges should not squeak
Tone down bright room colors by painting them white or a neutral color

Kitchen & Bathroom Improvements:

If the appliances are included with the sale of your home, make sure they are operating and have proper documentation such as warranties and repair information
If there are missing or damaged tiles, have them replaced
Re-touch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor
Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free
Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs
Make sure that there are no leaky faucets
Re-caulk damaged caulk on shower, sinks, tub or toilet
Clean tile grout and make stain-free
Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry
Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges
Replace toilet seat
If appliances are dated or not functioning, consider replacing

Lighting Improvements:

Repair sticky windows which do not open
At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting
Clean all switch plates
Clean all windows, inside and out
Clean existing shutters, blinds or drapes
Clean skylight for leaves and other debris
Increase the wattage of bulbs to maximum possible wattage
Install dimming switches in common rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms to allow you to create lighting for different occasions
Install new window treatments if those you have are damaged or dated
Keep curtains open and use natural light as much as possible
Make sure all outdoor lighting works
Prune outside trees to allow natural light inside
Turn on lights so home is well lit during showing
Wipe all light fixtures with a rag and cleaning solution

Plumbing & Electrical Improvements:

All drains should be clean and free flowing
All toilets should be in good working order
Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms
Have your well or septic inspected or repaired
If needed, hire a plumber to replace badly rusted and corroded plumbing pipes
Inspect, clean and change filter of furnace
Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen faucets are in good working order
Make sure that all smoke and burglar alarms are functional
Remove mildew stains and repair any loose, crumbling caulk or grout around tile and tub areas
Repair broken doorbell
Service sprinkler system

Staging Improvements:

Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for display
Clean out the entry closet and put only a few hangers so that the buyer can visualize winter coats
Consider lighting up the fireplace during the colder months
Hang artwork on the walls
Hang extra clean towels in the bathroom for your guests
Have a fresh vase of flowers on the kitchen table to add appeal
Have beds made
If needed, put large furniture in storage
Lock pets up away from home during showings
Open drapes to allow light in
Place fresh flowers, potpourri and other decorations around house (even in bathrooms)
Play music during open houses
Put cedar chips inside the closets
Remove all unnecessary articles in basement or attic
Remove magnets and notes from refrigerator
Remove personal possession, like photos, trophies and mementos
Set the dining room table for a dinner party
Stage garage - clean up oily floors, straighten tools and other equipment
Tag or remove items not included in sale (i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants, drapes)

Yard Improvements:

Add colorful plants or flowers near front door and porch area
Consider re-painting or re-staining a deck if the wood is worn out
Repair damaged, rusty or bent fence; paint or stain if necessary
If you have an awning for the patio, make sure that it is also free of debris and that there are no signs of tear or worn material. Replace if necessary
Keep the firewood neatly stacked
Keep trash area clean and organized
Keep walks, steps and driveway obstacle-free
Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn
Power wash deck
Prune trees and bushes
Rake fallen leaves
Remove unnecessary items such as gardening equipment
Remove debris and personal items on deck and porch
Remove signs such as Beware of Dog
Remove weeds and dead or dying plants or flowers
Replace welcome mat at the doorway
Re-sod bare spots on lawn

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