Making Your Home Ready for Sale
The first thirty days that your home is offered for sale are the most important to you in terms of realizing a reasonably fast sale at a good market price. There are a number of things you can do to ensure that prospective buyers will be favorably impressed with your home. Here is an easy-to-follow checklist of time proven tips on how to get your home ready for sale.
Contacts:
Perfect Spaces Cosignment Gallery
Laura Franck
laura@perfect-spaces.net
804-690-5707
Interior Therapy
Kimberly Leek
interiortherapy@KimberlyLeek.com
804-357-4082

Exterior
- Yard is mowed and edged.
- All refuse is collected and hauled away.
- Flower beds are cultivated.
- Exterior paint in good condition.
- Exterior walls are in good condition with any damaged wall boards replaced and bricks and mortar replaced as required.
- Roof is in good condition and repaired.
- All exterior lighting is in working order.
Interior
- Walls are clean and unmarked.
- Windows are clean inside and out.
- All plumbing is in good order; repair leaky faucets and stains.
- All doors should open and close easily and all hardwood is in place.
- Remove unneeded materials from attic, basement and garage.
- Kitchen is sparkling clean, countertops are uncluttered and all dishes are placed in cabinets.
- Every room is neatly arranged and unneeded materials are removed.
- All lighting fixtures and lamps have bulbs and are in working order.
Hints on Showing Your Home
- When possible, arrange for you and your family to be away from home during a showing. Prospects feel less like an intruder if the home is vacated and will take more time to thoroughly inspect your home.
- If you have a dog, be sure that it is penned up outside.
- Whether your home is being shown in the daytime or at night, always leave enough lighting on, both inside and out, to brighten every corner of your home.
- If it is necessary for you to be at home, we suggest that you allow us to direct the prospective buyer through the home. We are thoroughly familiar with the prospect's needs and can emphasize their needs with your home's amenities.
- Do not discuss with any prospect the terms, price, possession or other factors related to the sale of your home. We are in a better position to handle these matters.
If You Vacate Before it is Sold
- Make arrangements for property to be maintained, the grass cut and edged.
- Leave utilities on and set heating or cooling at comfortable level.
- Make sure we know where you are at all times.
Repair & Cleaning Checklist
Front Door:
- Newly painted
- Doorbell operating
- Door brass polished
- Hinges oiled
Exterior of House:
- House recently painted
- Gutters recently cleaned
- Exterior lights operating
- Missing shingles replaced
- Moss removed from roof
Windows:
- Window trims painted
- Windows operating freely
- Cracked windowpanes replaced
- Windows washed
Driveway:
- Resurfaced
- Potholes patched
- Recently sealed
Patios:
- Wood stained or painted
- Fencing secure
Lawn:
- Lawn in good condition
- Grass mowed
- Edges trimmed
Trees/Shrubs:
- Dead branches pruned
- Dead shrubs replaced
- Overgrown shrubs pruned
Basement:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- No evidence of water penetration
- Dampness removed
- Cold water pipes covered
- Dehumidifier installed
- Sump pump installed
- No musty odors
- Drains cleared
- Furnace cleaned
- Storage neatly arranged
- Excess storage removed
- Floor swept
Dining Room:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repaired
- Windows washed
- Drapes/blinds open to view
- Floor waxed/refinished
- Carpets cleaned
Entry:
- Entry lights operating
- Floors cleaned
- Closet cleaned
- Closet light operating
Living Room:
- Recently painted
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repainted
- Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
- Drapes/blinds opened
- Carpets cleaned
- Furniture positioned to show space
Kitchen:
- Sink free of stains
- No dripping faucets
- Appliances in good working order
- Walls, cabinets free of stains
- Countertops cleared and cleaned
- Pantry neatly arranged
- Pantry hardware replaced
- Refrigerator defrosted
Family Room:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repainted
- Windows washed
- Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
- Windows operating freely
- Drapes/blinds opened
- Carpets cleaned
- Hobby supplies put away
Bedrooms:
- Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
- Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
- Wallpaper secured
- Woodwork repaired
- Windows washed
- Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
- Floor waxed/refinished
- Carpets cleaned
- Beds made
- Laundry put away
- Floor free from clutter
Bathrooms:
- Sink stains removed
- Leaky faucets repaired
- Grouting stains removed
- All joints caulked
- Missing tiles replaced
- All fixtures operating
- Floors cleaned
- New shower curtain
- All supplies stored
- Guest towels