Outdoors
- Be sure your lawn and shrubbery are kept trimmed at all times. Consider removing overgrown trees and shrubs that hide the house from the street.
- Keep the garage doors down, Energy-efficient double glazed windows can benefit your property.
- For a touch of color, have seasonal flowers growing in beds and containers.
- Make sure your driveway is in good repair. Pressure wash concrete drives and walks to remove stains and car drippings, and put a fresh coat of sealer on asphalt drives.
- Make sure patios and decks are clean and in good repair. Replace any rotten wood and nail down loose boards on decking or steps; pressure wash if needed.
- Garage sale time! Clear out everything you don’t intend to keep and tidy up what’s staying. Make sure garage doors and openers are in proper working order.
- Check all railings and fencing to make sure it’s in good repair and freshly painted.
- Pay special attention to the area around your front door; make sure your doorbell works, clean all cobwebs, leaves, and other debris that may have accumulated there. Give the front door a fresh coat of paint if needed; color is one of the most cost practical fix up items you can do.
- Check for broken windows, leaking seals on thermopane windows; replace if necessary.
- Clean all the cobwebs from around the front door. Make sure all outdoor lighting (especially front porch) is clean and shiny; replace if necessary. The entrance to your home must make an excellent first impression on prospective buyers. This sets the tone for the whole showing.
- Check your mailbox. Is it straight and upright? Is it neatly trimmed around?
- Before you start indoors, walk across the street in front of your house and look back (like a buyer will see it). Does it present an appealing appearance?
Indoors
- Start by walking through the house and making a list. Do your carpets need shampooing? Do floors need a fresh coat of wax? Dust all ceiling fans, especially the blades and wash light fixtures.
- You’re going to have to pack when you move anyway, so go through all your closets and pack up everything you don’t need for the next couple of months. A cabinet with only a few neatly arranged items creates an impression of abundant storage space.
Find more tips and get a free copy of our 52-page ebook titled "450 Ways To Help Your Home Sell Faster" here
