Preparing to Sell

Cut the lawn every week during the marketing period.
Edge the lawn up the driveway and along the sidewalks (both front and back) for a finished appearance.
Clear walk and driveway of leaves/snow.
Trim all shrubbery and remove low-lying tree limbs.
Fertilize your lawn to make grass look lush and green.
Replace downed shutters, gutters, downspouts. Remove debris from gutters and downspouts.
Paint any trim that is blistering.
Repaint or re-stain the front door to create a pleasant first impression.

Paint only rooms that look fingerprinted, worn or faded. Touch up chipped paint, and repair cracked sheet rock or plaster.
Have the carpets and draperies cleaned.
Clean and repair windows and screens. Clean all appliances/mechanicals.
Repair any leaking toilets and faucets.
Replace burned out lights.
Replace old caulking around the bathtubs. This can be done with a tube of new caulking and a putty knife.
Spray lubricant on all squeaking doors, windows, closets and cabinets.
Tighten doorknobs and drawer handles.
Store out-of-season clothing so the closets do not have a cluttered look.
Remove items from the floor of walk-in closets so that prospects can have easy access.
Stack all items in the basement and garage against the walls to show maximum space.
Clear stairs and halls.
Vacuum the garage, basement, rafters and all floors.
If there are too many appliances on the kitchen counter, put some away to expose maximum counter space.
Pre-pack items that may clutter your home. Extra toys in the children’s room and knick-knacks may actually make rooms appear smaller than they are. Store excess furniture.
Clean your home from top to bottom. I have professional cleaning service that can do this for you.