Do a little landscaping.
Potential buyers will get their first impression of your home from its exterior. So
stand outside and take a few moments to look at your home objectively. Could the
grass use some cutting? Do the flowerbeds need a bit of TLC? Trimmed
landscaping indicates a home that is well cared for throughout.
l Replace mulch.
l Pressure wash the house.
l Edge sidewalks.
l Remove vegetation between concrete and bricks.
l Trim tree limbs that are near the roof.
l Cut the grass.
l Prune hedges.
l Freshen flowerbeds.
l Clear away dead trees and debris.
Tools: Extension
Ladders, Pressure Washer
Make your home more welcoming.
Before homebuyers even come into your home, they'll be greeted by the front
door. So think of it as another chance to make a good impression.
l Install a new door.
l Paint your front door.
l Add some new house numbers.
l Get a new lockset, kickplate and house number combination that coordinates
with a new light fixture.
Materials: House
Numbers, Kickplate, Lighting
Fixtures, Paint
Refresh your deck.
You want your outdoor space to be a place buyers can imagine enjoying during the
summer with friends and family. Fuel their imaginations by rejuvenating the deck
and furnishings.
l Power wash deck clean.
l Reseal the deck.
l Use a wood lattice to enclose unsightly areas underneath.
l Add a bright umbrella.
l Replace cushions on furniture.
l Decorate with potted plants and flowers.
l Accent with a small fountain.
l Install wind chimes to create a serene atmosphere buyers are sure to appreciate.
l Use citronella candles to deter bugs.
Tools: Pressure Washer
Materials: Citronella
Candles, Deck
Sealer, Fountain, Patio
Umbrella, Wind Chimes
Repair every imperfection.
You probably no longer notice your home's little imperfections. Buyers, however,
probably will. These small blemishes may stick out in the buyer's mind, so make
sure to fix them.
l Patch small cracks.
l Repair drywall.
l Replace broken tiles.
l Replace old fixtures.
Tools: Squeegee or Grout
Sponge, Waterproof Gloves
Materials: Drywall Patching
Plaster, Drywall Scraps for
Patches, Drywall
Tape, Faucet, Grout
Sealant, Indoor Tile, Plumber's
Putty, Silicon Caulk
Clean every spot.
Even if your house hasn't always been kept immaculate, you can still make it look
that way. Whether you clean yourself or hire a professional team, it can really help
lead to a sale.
l Scrub the bathroom and kitchen floors.
l Steam clean rugs.
l Polish hardwood floors.
l Wash windows inside and out.
Tools: Scrub Brush, Squeegee
or Grout Sponge, Steam
Cleaner, Waterproof Gloves
Materials: Cleaning
Agent, Floor
Polish, Rags, Window Cleaner
Minimize the clutter.
Unique things that make your place more "you" may actually distract buyers from
envisioning their own personal touches. Remove them so they can imagine your
space as their new home.
l Remove all personal items and pictures and place personal items in storage.
l Clear clutter from the floor by using a shoe cube organizer.
l Store all children's toys.
l Add wire shelving / closet shelving for additional storage space.
l Add a fresh coat of paint inside closets to make everything look clean and
organized.
l Place a few cedar blocks in your closet for a great scent.
Materials: Cedar
Blocks, Moving
Boxes, Paint, Shelving
Improve energy efficiency.
Making your home more efficient saves buyer's money over the long haul. Be sure
to point out all the upgrades to buyers so your hard work doesn't go unnoticed.
l Install a programmable thermostat.
l Place weather-stripping on doors and windows.
l Wrap pipes to conserve energy.
l Insulate your water heater.
l Replace furnace filters.
l Replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones.
Materials:
Filters, Programmable
Thermostat, Water Heater
Insulation, Weatherstripping
Give your favorite space a makeover.
Chances are, you and your family spend the most time in the living room, but the
last thing you want when selling is for the space to feel 'lived-in.' Refreshing the
room with a few simple changes make the space more inviting to buyers while
giving it a fresh feel.
l Paint walls in neutral colors like linen, cream and beige.
l Use thin drapes in a neutral color to accent.
l Switch generic switches with painted or ceramic ones.
l Boost the look of natural lighting with daylight bulbs.
l Add a throw rug to give a touch of softness to the place.
Materials: Accent
rugs, Paint, Switch
Covers, Window Drapes
Create a camera-ready kitchen.
Buyers want a kitchen that feels open and light. You'll want to repair any signs of
wear and tear and replace any items that look dated or aren't working properly.
l Paint walls with white or neutral paint that complements the cabinets.
l Replace existing hardware with cabinet pulls and knobs for a new look.
l Install new lighting under the cabinet for a dramatic effect.
l Highlight the island or countertop with a simple fixture.
l Replace vinyl blinds with sheer bamboo or linen blinds.
Materials: Blinds, Cabinet Pulls
& Knobs, Indoor Lighting, Paint
Design a relaxing space.
Bathrooms get a lot of use. You'll want to make yours look fresh to buyers by
replacing outdated or overused fixtures and adding a few nice, crisp details.
l Paint walls in soft, sedated colors like light blue, pale green or cream.
l Install a new faucet, fixtures and towel bars.
l Put in a medicine cabinet for added storage.
l Buy new towels in a light or neutral color.
l Replace the shower curtain and bathmat. A new shower curtain offers that "new
car" smell.
l Keep the room looking clutter-free by organizing bath accessories in a shower
caddy.
l Add a new bath mat.
These tips are not expensive and give great value and curb appeal as well!
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