How to make sure that your home is ready for sale and to fetch the highest price.

You can significantly influence the selling price of your property by preparing before putting it on the market. Here are some suggestions to improve a buyer's first impression of your home. Print this out and use it as a reference.

General

• Remove clutter
• Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners
• Remove paint splash on floor and cabinets
• Clean and polish door hardware and handrails
• Clean wall switches and outlet covers
• Clean and tidy basement and attic storage
• Add plants and flowers throughout the house

House Exterior

• Sealed driveway
• Weed-free driveway and walkways
• Healthy, weed-free, and trimmed lawn
• Trees and shrubs trimmed
• Wash front steps and porch
• Check front doorbell and bell light
• Clean or replace welcome mat
• Repair and repaint fences and gates
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Clean or repaint siding
• Wash windows and screens
• Clean shutters

Living, Family, Dining Rooms

• Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
• Repair or replace damaged moulding
• Clean and wax hardwood and vinyl floors
• Shampoo carpet

Bedrooms

• Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
• Clean drapes and bedspread
• Shampoo carpet
• Clean out all closets
• Clear all bedroom furniture
• Put away all clothing

Bathrooms

• Paint or wallpaper using light colors
• Scrub tile, bleach, and repair grout
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
• Clean floor
• Clean out medicine cabinet
• Seal around tubs and showers
• Replace old toilet seats
• Replace shower window curtains
• Put out a set of color coordinated bath linens

Kitchen

• Paint or wallpaper walls and ceiling with light color
• Clean floor
• Clean cabinets and appliances
• Clean out refrigerator and wash interior
• Empty dishwasher and clean around controls
• Check operation of all appliances
• Arrange and clean food storage areas
• Clean out cabinets and drawers
• Neatly display dishes in cabinets
• Clear clutter from counter tops
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
• Wash or replace curtains

Laundry

• Check operation of appliances
• Clean all appliances
• Clean and organize laundry area
• Provide adequate light to area

Garage

• Check operation of wall sockets
• Remove oil and grease from floor
• Clean and organize storage
• Maintain noisy garage door opener