The Complete Seller’s To-Do Checklist

Getting your house ready to put on the market can seem like an overwhelming task. Simplify the process by taking it room by room and one step at a time. The biggest priority is making it clean, free of clutter and de-personalizing it so buyers can envision themselves there. The more attractive you make your home to buyers, the more likely you are to sell it quickly and for top dollar. You can view the work you put into getting your house ready as sweat equity and the reward is usually well worth it!

MAKE THE WHOLE HOUSE APPEALING AND INVITING

The first step is to take a thorough look at the inside and outside of your house and yard and use this list to help get everything looking appealing and inviting. The goal is to make the house sparkle and shine and feel like a model home. Buyers should not be able to tell if you live there or if it’s staged.

MAKE IT INVITING!

• Rearrange/reduce amount of furniture to maximize visual space and floor space
• Pack up all knick-knacks and figurines
• Prune/nurture house plants
• Reduce/add house plants to make balanced number
• Remove anything you can live without for a little while
• Remove all but a few decorative books from shelves
• Pack away personal family photos to de-personalize the home
• Reduce the amount of wall art to one or two pieces per room
• Add lamps to any dark spaces to brighten rooms
• Avoid using scented room sprays, plug-ins, or artificial scented candles
• Use an essential oil diffuser to keep rooms smelling fresh

CLEAN AND DUST EVERYTHING- MAKE IT SHINE!

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• Walls (clean and touch up paint if needed)
• Baseboards
• Windows/Windowsills
• Blinds
• Ceilings
• Ceiling Fans
• Light Fixtures
• AC/Heater Vents and Intake

CLEAN AND REPLACE IF NEEDED!

• Light switch covers
• Light Bulbs
• Fireplace
• Front Door
• Carpets/Floors (KEEP CLEAN AS NEEDED)
• Blinds
• Interior/Exterior Paint
• Doors/Door Knobs

ROOM BY ROOM

Now that you’ve done a general approach to readying your home for the market, take it one room at a time and get each room looking amazing!

LIVING ROOMS AND FAMILY ROOMS

• Keep furniture at a minimum
• Keep decorative items at a minimum
• Keep tables mostly clear and store personal items out of sight
• Store toys out of sight
• Use pillows and throws to soften the space

DINING ROOM

• Keep dining table clear except one nice centerpiece item
• Remove excess leaves/chairs
• Minimize items on other cabinets, buffets, hutches, etc.

KITCHEN

• Clear items from countertops- keep only a few nice items out if desired
• Clean oven, stove, fridge, microwave
• Keep countertops sparkling clean
• Scrub/polish sink to look like new
• Clear refrigerator of magnets, pictures, messages
• Repair anything broken, loose, or worn
• Clean tile grout
• Store all mops, brooms, etc. out of sight
• Empty garbage before each showing
• Pack up any dishes, cooking supplies, etc. that you can live without
• Organize pantry, drawers, and cabinets to look nice and neat
• Remove any pet food/water before each showing

LAUNDRY

• Keep soap/supplies organized and out of sight
• Keep all surfaces and sink clean and empty
• Remove any and all clothing, dirty or clean
• Use high watt bulbs to make it look brighter
• Keep floors clear and clean

BEDROOMS

• Make Beds Daily
• Invest in new bedspreads if necessary (consult a professional first)
• Clear off bedside tables, dressers, etc.
• Store daily necessities in drawers or closets
• Organize closets to be nice and neat (pack up excess items if needed)
• Keep closet doors closed
• Keep floors clear and vacuum regularly

BATHROOMS

• Clear off all surfaces
• Remove excess items from shower/tub
• Deep clean all surfaces, making sure to get rid of any mold/mildew
• Re-caulk any areas that need it
• Clean or replace shower curtains
• Organize cabinets/get rid of excess items
• Store garbage and cleaning supplies out of sight
• Remove cloth toilet lid covers and keep lids closed
• Display only a nice hand soap
• Purchase new towels if necessary (coordinate in one or two colors)
• Fold towels neatly in thirds on towel rack

EXTERIOR

• Look at your home from the street or a neighbor’s house for perspective
• Clean siding, trim, or exterior doors, or repaint if needed
• Replace any rotten wood
• Sweep and/or pressure wash all walkways, patios, decks, porches
• Pressure wash driveway if needed
• Re-stain deck if needed
• Use outdoor furniture to create an inviting space

GARAGE

• Clean and sweep out garage
• Keep neat and organized
• Pack anything you can’t live without

YARD

• Prune bushes, trees, and shrubs to look healthy and nicely shaped
• Do not allow plants to block windows
• Weed all planting areas
• Lay fresh mulch to restore color contrast
• Keep the lawn freshly mowed, edged, and fertilized
• Keep lawn and plants well watered during dry seasons to keep them looking healthy
• Remove and dead or ill looking plants
• Add a few flowers for a splash of color

As you work through this process to ready your home for the market, try not to get overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and consider enlisting the help of professionals wherever needed. A trusted real estate professional should be able to recommend people for the services if needed. And remember to keep your focus and know that it will all pay off in the end. If you complete the steps listed here your house will stand out above the rest and it will definitely capture the attention of buyers!

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PRINTABLE PDF PRE-LISTING CHECKLIST

If you have any questions about preparing your home for sale, or real estate in general, I’m happy to help!

Contact me anytime!

Call/Text 425-508-0149 or Email: northsoundbroker@gmail.com