To begin, make a copy of this list. Read the entire list. Add items that come to mind as you read, and cross off items that do not apply to your home or do not need to be completed. If there are things that you cannot afford to do or that you will not have time to do, highlight those items—but don't cross them out. You may be able to accomplish them later or you may find that they are not necessary. It is important to keep them on the list as reminders.
As you begin to show the house, you may become aware of things that buyers don't like or don't want to do after purchasing the house. It's better to eliminate objections by taking care of these items than to lose the chance of an offer or have the buyer ask you for a discount.
Now that you have personalized your list, it's time to start working. Keep track of your progress by checking off each item as you complete it.
Write your motivation for selling: _____________
Take pictures of the house (as described in Chapter 11)
Exterior cleaning and preparation
Remove any old, abandoned items (such as worn play equipment or old tires)
Reseed or sod any bare spots in the lawn
Clean and service the swimming pool
Repair any cracks or broken tiles around the swimming pool or patio
Add caution signs around the pool area
Make sure all stair treads and handrails are secure
Remove snow and ice during winter
Replace torn or missing screens
Repair siding or stucco
Paint front door
Paint exterior trim
Paint or stain exterior
Purchase pet carriers for showings
Build outdoor pen for pets
Exterior staging
Add potted or planted flowers near your front door
Add a welcome mat or wreath
Shine the lock set
Paint siding
Paint trim
Reseal driveway
Plant fresh flowers in the yard
Sorting and packing: Go through your house room-by-room. Approach each closet, drawer, storage area, and surface one at a time. Sort items into the following categories:
Keep for immediate use (items you need now)
Pack up for new house (items you will need after your move)
Pack up for storage (financial records and things you must keep, but barely look at)
Give away (useful items that you no longer need)
Throw away (items that have outlived their usefulness to anyone)
Note: As you empty each storage area, vacuum out debris and clean surfaces. Replace only the items you designated as “keep for immediate use.”
Living Room
Storage areas
Surfaces
Entry Hall
Closet
Storage areas
Surfaces
Dining Room
Storage areas
Surfaces
Kitchen
Pantry
Cabinets
Drawers
Counters
Family Room
Closet
Entertainment center
Other storage areas
Surfaces
Office
Closet
Other storage areas
Surfaces
Master Bedroom
Closet
Drawers
Surfaces
Master Bathroom
Cabinets
Drawers
Counters
Bedroom #2
Closet
Drawers
Surfaces
Bedroom #3
Closet
Drawers
Surfaces
Bathroom #2
Cabinets
Drawers
Counters
Bathroom #3
Cabinets
Drawers
Counters
Garage
Area: ________________
Area:
Area: ________________
Porch/Deck/Patio
Area: ________________
Area: ________________
Area: ________________
Other: ________________
Area: ________________
Area: ________________
Area: ________________
What to do with all the stuff:
Take your pack-up-for-storage items to a storage unit
Take your packed up keep-for-new-house items to storage or stack neatly in garage
Take give-away pile to the thrift store or have a garage sale
Take throw-away pile to the dump (right away)
Interior cleaning and preparation
Throughout the house
Scrub floors, baseboards, window and door trim
Wash walls
Vacuum carpeted floors
Have carpet professionally cleaned
Replace shabby, stained carpet
Use area rugs where needed
Wash windows, inside and out
Have draperies professionally cleaned
Wash window blinds and other window coverings
Repair or replace broken blinds or outdated window coverings
Wash walls in bathrooms and kitchen
Check for dirty walls in other areas
Repair or replace any broken or worn items
Replace broken light fixtures
Replace burned out light bulbs
Repair latches and install stoppers on all doors
Caulk chipped or damaged grout
Remove any extra furniture (pieces that crowd the space)
Have an honest friend visit your house for a “smell test”
Clean animal cages and fish tanks
Find a temporary home for pet reptiles
Replace sagging closet rods
Remove stacks of paper, magazines, books
____________________
____________________
____________________
Kitchen
Wash down cabinet faces and doors
Wash walls
Clean out refrigerator and wash shelves
Remove items from front sides and top of refrigerator
Clean oven
Clean stove top
Clean sink
Wash counters and backsplash
Bleach stained grout
Caulk around sink
Remove most items from countertop
Remove rugs from kitchen floor
Hide trash bin
Replace cracked or yellowed fluorescent light lenses
____________________
____________________
Master Bathroom
Wash down cabinet faces and doors
Wash walls
Wash all fixtures and counters
Eliminate mold and mildew
Clean all glass, mirrors, shower door
Remove any extraneous personal products from shower stall or tub
Check bathtub stickers and remove or replace, as necessary
Wash or replace shower curtain
Remove most items from countertop
Remove dusty decorative items
Bleach stained grout
Caulk around sink, tub, toilet
____________________
____________________
Bathroom #2
Wash down cabinet faces and doors
Wash walls
Wash all fixtures and counters
Eliminate mold and mildew
Clean all glass, mirrors, shower door
Remove any extraneous personal products from shower stall or tub
Check bathtub stickers and remove or replace, as necessary
Wash or replace shower curtain
Remove most items from countertop
Remove dusty decorative items
Bleach stained grout
Caulk around sink, tub, toilet
____________________
____________________
Bathroom #3
Wash down cabinet faces and doors
Wash walls
Wash all fixtures and counters
Eliminate mold and mildew
Clean all glass, mirrors, shower door
Remove any extraneous personal products from shower stall or tub
Check bathtub stickers and remove or replace, as necessary
Wash or replace shower curtain
Remove most items from countertop
Remove dusty decorative items
Bleach stained grout
Caulk around sink, tub, toilet
____________________
____________________
Master Bedroom
Vacuum
Dust
Clean windows
Address window coverings
____________________
____________________
Bedroom #2
Vacuum
Dust
Clean windows
Address window coverings
____________________
____________________
Bedroom #3
Vacuum
Dust
Clean windows
Address window coverings
____________________
____________________
Interior staging
Check and trim or discard any sad-looking houseplants
____________________
____________________
Kitchen
Add a colorful bowl of fruit
Add new cabinet knobs
Bathrooms
Add fresh new towels
Add new cabinet knobs
____________________
____________________
Bedrooms
Place a book and a lamp on your cleared bedside table
Check closets to see that they are clean and presentable
____________________
____________________
Living Room
Remove all excess decorative items
Remove all excess furniture
Add a flower arrangement and a coffee table book
Lay a fire in the fireplace
____________________
____________________
Dining Room
Set the dining table or use only a simple centerpiece
____________________
____________________
Other Rooms
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
Painting
Entryway
Hallway
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen walls
Kitchen cabinets
Family room
Office
Master bedroom
Bedroom #2
Bedroom #3
Master bathroom
Bathroom #2
Bathroom #3
Garage
Porch/Deck/Patio
Front door
Other________________
Other________________
Other________________
Other ________________
Staging an empty house
Easel with interior photos of furniture placement
Toilet paper in all bathrooms
Keep utilities on
Clean windows
Clean carpets
Remove picture hangers, patch and paint
Remove speaker wires
Remove all trash
One bed and bedside table
Table in dining room with tablecloth and chairs
Towels in bathrooms
New decorative soaps in bathrooms
Keep landscaping tidy
Keep property free of snow and ice
