Preparing Your Home for Sale

On the Outside

• Depending on the season, mow your lawn, weed your flowerbeds, rake leaves, or shovel snow 
• Clean up any litter 
• Clean up after pets 
• Clean and arrange lawn furniture 
• Remove garden gnomes and pink flamingoes 
• Repair fences and gates 
• Repair or resurface driveways and walkways 

The House

• Clean windows, window ledges, and doors 
• Clean eavestroughs 
• Clean siding 
• Put out flower pots 
• Put down a new doormat 
• Paint trim 
• Repair broken windows or doors 
• Repair leaking roof 
• Repair crumbling chimney 

On the Inside

Walls, Ceilings, Windows, Doors, and Floors 

• Wash walls 
• Touch up chipped paint 
• Plaster over minor cracks and holes and repaint 
• Repaint house in neutral colors 
• Remove ceiling cobwebs 
• Make sure all light fixtures are clean and change burnt-out light bulbs 
• Paint over any water damage (after you fix the leak) 
• Clean windows, frames, sills, and blinds 
• Leave drapes and blinds open (or, if it's evening, turn on lights) during showings to make the house look bright 
• Make sure windows open and close properly; repair as necessary 
• Clean or replace window coverings 
• Clean doors and frames and polish doorknobs 
• Make sure that doors open and close properly; repair as necessary 
• Replace door hardware and knobs 
• Clean and polish floors 
• Vacuum carpets and steam clean, if necessary 
• Put down runners on carpets in high traffic areas 
• Replace flooring or carpets 

Closets, Storage Areas, and the Basement

• Remove clutter 
• Organize clothes, shoes, and other items neatly 
• Clean and deodorize pet areas 

Living Areas and Bedroom

• Remove clutter 
• Dust and vacuum everything 
• Clean fireplace and stack logs neatly 
• Remove distracting pictures or posters 
• Set out flowers and plants 
• Rearrange furniture to make rooms appear larger 
• Store large items of furniture elsewhere 
• Purchase attractive bedspreads and curtains 

Kitchens and Bathrooms

• Clean to a sparking shine 
• Clear off counter tops 
• Make sure everything smells good-remove garbage and don't cook smelly food just before a showing (bake cookies instead!) 
• Remove embarrassing personal items from the bathroom before a showing 
• Replace mildewed shower curtain 
• Set out flowers, potpourri, or scented soap 
• Buy matching shower curtain and towels 
• Replace cracked toilet seat covers 
  Repair leaky faucets and toilets