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Curb Appeal
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Drive up to your home
and look at it from afar. Look at it through the eyes of buyers.
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Check the shingles –
repair or replace damaged shingles.
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Clean and repair the
gutters.
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Clean and repair the
HVAC units.
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Repair broken windows
and shutters. Replace torn screens. Make sure frames and seams
have solid caulking.
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Repair or replace
door knobs, doorbell and light fixtures if necessary.
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Remove all toys,
equipment and litter.
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Remove cobwebs and
nests.
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Remove mildew, moss
and stains from the side of your home – use bleach. Remove
stains from the walkways and driveway – use concrete cleanser
and/or kitty litter.
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Repair and clean
patio furniture and deck area. Remove anything that can’t be
repaired.
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Make sure the spa and
pool sparkle.
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Go around and touch
up the exterior of your home with putty and paint.
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Clean or paint the
front door and mailbox.
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Hose off the exterior
of your home, especially around entrances. Use siding cleanser.
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Wash the windows.
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Wash your garbage can
and put it in a place where it’s not the first thing potential
buyers see when they drive up.
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Stack the woodpile
neatly.
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Mow the lawn.
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Trim the trees and
shrubs.
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Weed the gardens.
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Add colorful plants
or foliage to fill in bare spots.
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Edge the gardens and
walkways.
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Sweep the walkways
and driveway.
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Replace doormats that
are worn and torn.
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Shine brass hardware
on the doors and light fixtures. Polish stained wood doors and
trim.
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Drive up to your home
again and look at it from the eyes of a potential buyer. Walk
into your home as a potential buyer. Determine what kind of
impression the walkways and entrances now make. |
Overall Interior
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Walk through your
home. Store, give away, throw, or donate anything that you
won’t need until after the move; e.g. furniture, knick-knacks,
clothing, toys, equipment, appliances, worn rugs, papers, books,
cosmetics, jewelry, games, CDs, etc.
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Walk through your
home again, this time with some tools. Fix loose door knobs,
cracked molding, leaky faucets. Remove cob webs.
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Replace worn or
broken door knobs, cabinet fixtures, light fixtures, light
switches, outlet plates, faucets and vent covers.
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Clean the fireplace.
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Clean the vents.
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Clean and organize
your closets. Add extra space by storing or giving away items.
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Add a fresh coat of
paint in light, neutral colors.
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Shampoo the carpet.
Replace if necessary. Clean and wax the floors.
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Vacuum the window
blinds, shades and drapes. Wash or dry clean curtains. Wash
all the windows, frames and sills.
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Add dishes of
potpourri.
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Remove all valuables,
such as jewelry, artwork, knick-knacks, medications, cash, coin
collections and so on.
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Open all the window
shades to create a spacious and bright look.
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Put pet supplies and
dishes in a place where they are not the first thing potential
buyers see or smell when they walk into a room.
Living Room and Family Room
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Make these rooms
spacious and inviting.
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Discard or repair
chipped furniture. Replace worn rugs and pillows.
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Remove magazines,
games, toys and so on.
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Make sure the
entertainment center sparkles.
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Vacuum upholstery,
drapes, pillows, etc.
Dining Room
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Clean out your china
cabinet. Polish any visible silver.
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Put a lovely
centerpiece on the table – treat yourself to fresh flowers. Set
the table for a formal dinner to help potential buyers imagine
entertaining there.
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Bedrooms
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Arrange furniture to
create a spacious look.
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Remove games, toys,
magazines, cosmetics, jewelry – especially on the nightstands.
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Replace bedspreads,
quilts and pillow shams if they are worn or faded.
Bathrooms
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Remove rust and
mildew stains.
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Wash or replace
shower curtains.
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Make sure everything
sparkles – including grout.
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Replace worn rugs and
towels.
Kitchen
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Make sure all
appliances work.
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Throw or eat the
foods that you’ve been storing for so long.
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Clean the inside of
the refrigerator, stove and cabinets. Make sure everything is
organized to create a spacious look.
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If your stove has
electric burners, purchase new drip pans for each burner. Wash
removable knobs in your dishwasher.
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Polish the cabinets
with furniture oil.
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Make sure appliances,
countertops and the sink sparkle. Install new faucets if
necessary.
Attic, Basement and Garage
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Get rid of
unnecessary items. Store or pack items you won’t need until
after the move.
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Organize everything
to create more floor space and make inspections easy. Put
things on shelves or in matching boxes.
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Provide bright
lighting.
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Clean all equipment
and vents. Replace filters. Fix any insulation that might be
showing.
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Take care of stale or
musty odors. Open the windows, dust and wash the walls and
floors, purchase room deodorizers.
When It’s Time to Show
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Make sure your
property folder is out in the open. It should contain utility
bills, an MLS profile, your Seller’s Disclosure, extra
property flyers and extra business cards.
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Do a quick clean and
vacuum. Air out your house. Dispose all trash.
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Put pets outside if
it’s safe to do so.
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Turn on a radio with
peaceful music. |
