1 – Make sure the garage is clean and organized. Remove any oil or grease spots from garage floors. Fill any cracks in concrete with epoxy paste. Consider painting or sealing concrete floor.
2 – Update outdated or mismatched cabinet and drawer hardware. This is a cheap and easy fix that will pay dividends.
3 – Repair any cracked or broken windows.
4 – Place fresh cut flowers in strategic areas.
5 – If your immediate neighbors have unattractive or unkempt yards, consider asking them (in a nice way) to spruce up their properties by mowing the lawn and picking up any trash or debris. Offer to pitch in and help.
6 - Pack up personal photographs and family heirlooms. Buyers can’t see past personal artifacts, and you don’t want them to be distracted.
7 - De-Clutter! People collect an amazing quantity of junk. Consider this: if you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably don’t need it.
8 - Put essential items used daily in a small box that can be stored in a closet when not in use.
9 - Rearrange Bedroom Closets and Kitchen Cabinets. It’s human nature to snoop, and buyers will open closet and cabinet doors. Think of the message it sends if items fall out or these areas are cluttered and unkempt!
10 - Rent a Storage Unit. Almost every home shows better with less furniture. Remove pieces of furniture that block or hamper paths and walkways and put them in storage.
11 - Remove/Replace Favorite Items. If you want to take window coverings, built-in appliances or fixtures with you, replace them now.
12 - Replace cracked floor or counter tiles.
13 – Patch any holes in walls.
14 – Fix any leaky faucets or fixtures.
15 - Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.
16 - Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to “loud” colors.
17 - Replace burned-out light bulbs.
18 - If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!
19 - Wash windows inside and out. Newspapers are good for removing streaks from windows.
20 - Rent a pressure washer and spray down sidewalks and the exterior of your home.
21 - Clean out cobwebs from corners, ceilings and other nooks and crannies.
22 - Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.
23 - Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.
24 - Clean out the refrigerator and throw away any unnecessary food items.
25 - Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof, or driveway.
26 - Stow away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
27 - Clean gutters and remove any leaves or other debris.
28 - Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing between concrete or bricks.
29 - Vacuum your home daily to keep it spic and span between showings.
30 – Wax your floors.
31 – Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.
32 - Bleach dingy or stained grout.
33 - Replace worn rugs.
34 - Hang up fresh towels. Make sure bathroom linens are tasteful and color coordinated.
35 - Bathroom towels look great fastened with ribbon and bows.
36 - Clean and air out any musty smelling areas. Odors are a no-no.
37 - Go outside and open your front door. Stand there. Do you want to go inside? Does the house welcome you?
38 - Linger in the doorway of every single room and imagine how your house will look to a buyer.
39 - Examine carefully how furniture is arranged and move pieces around until it makes sense.
40 - Make sure window coverings hang level.
41 - Make sure window and door trim is in good condition. Fill, sand, paint or stain as necessary?
42 - Does it look like nobody lives in this house? You’re almost finished.
43 - Keep the sidewalks cleared.
44 – Mow the lawn.
45 - Paint faded window trim.
46 - Plant yellow flowers or group flower pots together. Yellow evokes a buying emotion. Marigolds are inexpensive.
47 – Trim hedges and/or bushes.
48 – Remove magnets from the refrigerator door.
49 – Pick up any trash or debris from the yard area.
50 – Weed any planting beds or garden areas, rake and dispose of fallen leaves.
51 – Thoroughly clean the oven inside and out.
52 – Trim tree limbs that are too near or touching the home’s roof.
53 – String low voltage lighting along your driveway, sidewalks and near important landscaping elements.
54 – Turn on as many lights as possible. While not “environmentally conscious”, it is more visually appealing to a buyer than a dimly lit room.
55 – Make sure light that’s visible through front doors and windows enhances the home’s appearance.
56 – Install a contemporary, attractive front door, or repaint an existing one.
57 – Repair any damaged window or door screens.
58 – Consider having damaged or poorly maintained hardwood floors professionally refinished.
59 – If your home has hardwood floors that are covered by area rugs, consider removing the rugs if the underlying flooring is in good condition.
60 – If your home has any loose or sagging wallpaper, consider removing it and painting the room.
61 – Back cookies, cakes or pies to create a “warm and homey” feel. This tends to bring up fond memories in prospective homebuyers.
62 – Clean the cat box or keep the poop scooped if you are a dog owner.
63 – Place scented candles to create a pleasant ambiance.
64 – Invite a neighbor over for a “trial walk-through” before your actual open house. Get their opinion on how it shows.
65 – Clean and open vertical blinds or window coverings to let some light in.
66 – Clean all light bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers.
67 – If your home has dark wood paneling in any rooms, consider removing or priming and painting it a neutral color.
68 – If you have a working fireplace, and the season is appropriate, light a fire to create a relaxing atmosphere.
69 – If you have textured “popcorn” ceilings, consider removing it and repainting ceiling areas. It’s not expensive but it is time consuming.
70 – Make sure all the beds in the house are well made and bedding is laundered.
71 – De-clutter and organize the basement if you have one.
72 – Remove hair from sink and tub drains
73 – Remove any rust stains from basins.
74 – Repair non functional doorbell(s).
75 – Uses mirrors strategically to create a sense of spaciousness in smaller rooms.
76 – Remove any excess extension cords or exposed wires.
78 – Repair and re-paint your mailbox if necessary.
79 – Remove posters and adhesive from walls and doors.
80 – Make sure any fencing is in good condition and freshly painted if necessary.
81 – Remove or store any toys, bicycles, tools or unattractive patio furniture.
82 – Have a garage sale to rid your home of excess clutter.
83 – Clear tables and countertops of any non-essential items.
84 – Remove stains and/or spatters from kitchen appliances.
85 – Repair misaligned shutters and bent or damaged gutters.
86 – Make sure all electrical outlets have proper fixture covers in place.
87 – Stage a home office if you don’t have one, they’re not a trend, they are a necessity for many homebuyers these days.
88 – Make sure all windows open properly and are free of obstruction.
89 – Buy a new shower curtain and liner, it’s a cheap “spruce-up’ that won’t go unnoticed.
90 – Clear all cosmetics, hair care products or other personal grooming items from vanity.
91 – If you have a large bed in a small bedroom, consider removing it altogether to make the room appear as large as possible.
92 – During showings or open houses, make sure televisions and/or radios are turned off or volume kept at a reasonable level.
93 - If you have a pet, consider boarding it or having a friend or family member “babysit” during showings. Not everyone is a pet lover.
94 – Remove all books from bookcases.
95 – Neatly stack dishes in cupboards, turn coffee cup handles facing the same way.
96 – In closets, install closet organizers and/or hang shirts together, buttoned and facing the same direction.
97 – Empty all trash cans and recycling bins.
98 – Consider having draperies professionally dry cleaned if necessary.
99 – Have any plumbing or wiring problems professionally repaired.
100 – Repair any loose or missing roof shingles.
101 – If you have a garbage disposal, run a lemon through it for a fresh smell.
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