You've Decided to List With Me – What's Next?
Pre-Listing Checklist Helpful Tips
Highlight the key feature of the home by making sure they are not obscured by plants and furnishings
Repairs to Make Before Selling Your Home:
- Fix any drains, faucets, or plumbing fixtures that are not operating.
- Paint the interior. Fill and paint any cracks or holes in the walls. (You may need to repaint entire walls to mask such repairs.)
- Replace burned-out bulbs and broken electrical sockets.
- Replace or fix broken stairs. Repair or replace balusters. Fix any creaks as well.
- Replace old locks and doorknobs. Make it easy for a buyer to walk in.
- Fix any doors that do not open easily, including the garage door. If your garage door opener does not work, repair or replace it.
- Replace cracked windows and torn screens.
- Fix cracks in driveway and entry walkway, clean up stains. If the driveway requires major repair, it may be preferable to offer the buyer an allowance for the work.
- Paint the exterior. Touch up peeling paint, window frames, porches, and shutters. Repaint the entire exterior if it is drab or peeling.
- Replace or fix broken stairs. It is a matter of both safety and aesthetics.
Interior:
- Declutter the home!
- Have a yard sale. (You can declutter AND make extra cash!)
- Donate or throw away unused items.
- Put possessions in storage.
- Clean off everything on the kitchen counters.
- Clean out and organize the garage.
- Clean out and organize closets.
- Empty storage from attic.
- Place all breakables, antiques and other valuables in a safe place to prevent accidental damage.
- Have the home professionally cleaned.
- Replace batteries in smoke detectors. Test carbon monoxide detector.
- How does the house smell? If the house has unpleasant odors, it may take longer to sell and/or fetch a lower price!
- De-personalize the home: pack up personal photographs, family heirlooms, religious items, etc. that may deter a buyer from seeing themselves living in the home.
- Fix or replace damaged flooring. If you cannot afford to replace damaged or worn floors, consider offering the buyer an allowance for renovation.
Exterior:
- Reseal the deck and repair broken boards.
- Replace shingles and tack down loose flashing on roof, or have a roofing contractor inspect the roof and make needed repairs.
- Cover crawl space with 6 mm plastic sheeting. Check to make sure heating ducts are connected in crawl space.
- Check that fan ducts are properly venting out of the attic.
- Repair faulty cabinets. It is easy for the hinges on cabinets to get a bit loose, which results in doors that don’t close correctly or that aren’t flush with the frame
- Trim trees away from roof and home.
- Trim shrubs, vegetation and remove unsightly plants.
- Clear debris from around the A/C compressor, downspout drainage, and foundation vents.
- Overseed lawns to create “lush” look.
- Power wash sidewalks, driveways, patios and exterior walls.
- Clean front door and frame.
- Paint as needed to improve curb appeal.
- Remove screens and clean windows.
- Clean out gutters.
- Have irrigation and lighting systems in working order.
- Keep garbage container in the rear of the house or in garage.
- Keep toys and bikes out of sight.
- Dress up the front. A few potted plants make the house look loved!