Download FSBO Checklist: Click Here
First impressions are probably one of the more important factors in selling your home (besides price). So when you put your home on the market, it will pay to make sure your home looks its best.
You can accomplish this by viewing your home as if you were the “prospective buyer”. Imagine you are seeing the home for the first time, and try to notice its highlights and drawbacks.
Then, start sprucing up in order to “emphasize and add” to its highlights. This is often easier said than done, because some things may be easily overlooked unless you decide to make your improvements systematically.
We’ve prepared a checklist to help you do just that. As you will see, it includes tips which can make virtually any property look its best. This will assist you in selling your home at the best price - fast.
Check off the items that apply to your home. If an item calls for an expense (i.e. painting, etc.), weigh the cost to the results of your investment.
OUTSIDE
__ Trim Shrubs
__ Mow lawn
__ Weed flower beds
__ Repair walk, driveway
__ Repair steps, porch
__ Clean porch light, post lamp
__ Clean siding
__ Paint trim, front of house, front door, mailbox
__ Paint sides, back of house
__ Repair roof, gutters, down spouts
__ Clean/repair screens
__ Clean/paint/repair garage -dispose of what you don’t intend to keep
INSIDE - GENERAL
__ Paint where necessary __ Clean/fix windows, make sure doors/windows are operating freely - lubricate with wax or WD-40 __ Clean/polish floors __ Replace burned out light bulbs, brighten other lighting with more powerful bulbs __ Fix squeaking floors/doors __ Fix light switches/electrical outlets __ Repair/repaint cracked walls/ceilings __ Fix faucet drips, fix leaky pipes under sink areas __ Clear clogged drains __ Clean fireplace, lay logs for fire or seasonal arrangement __ Straighten all closets __ Use room deodorants to remove any odors __ Vacuum/shampoo rugs __ Clean/polish brass, metal, etc. fixtures __ Clean up and dispose of items you are not going to move with you
KITCHEN __ Paint/clean cabinets __ Use bright window treatments __ Clean ventilating hood/fan __ Clear off counter tops to make kitchen look spacious and neat __ Make sure drawers slide smoothly and are organized __ Clean exterior of range, oven, refrigerator and other major appliances
BATHROOMS
__ Put out fresh towels __ Clean fixtures, tub, toilet __ Replace toilet seat __ Clean shower curtain __ Clean tile/shower walls
BEDROOMS
__ Make beds __ Use most attractive bedspread/curtains
LIVINGROOM/DEN
__ Plump up cushions __ Stack newspapers/magazines __ Clean television screen
DINING ROOM
__ Polish table, buffet __ Clean glass in china cabinet
LAUNDRY AREA
__ Remove hanging clothes __ Put away laundry soaps, etc.
THEN LET YOUR HOME SELL ITSELF. When showing your home, answer any and all questions the potential buyer may have, and you should disclose any information about the house that you are aware of.
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