Pre-Sale Home Checklist
You’ve decided to put your home on the market. Regardless of your reason for selling, it’s a big decision that might come with a lengthy list of to-dos. This checklist will help get your home in tip-top shape before buyers come knocking.
From small touch-ups to deep cleaning, getting your home ready for sale can feel like a daunting task. But with a little know-how and elbow grease, you can prepare your home for a stress-free sale. Use this checklist as your initial guide to getting your home into tip-top selling shape!
1. Create A List
Putting a list together of what is coming with you, what you are donating, and what is going to be thrown out, will help. Most sellers accumulate a lot of things and de-cluttering is the first step in getting ready.
2. Don’t Forget the Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, so take some time to tidy up your yard and outdoor spaces. Mow the lawn, pull weeds, plant flowers, and power wash any dirty surfaces. You should also take a look at your home’s exterior and address any necessary repairs, such as fixing cracked sidewalks or painting chipped window shutters. Remember, buyers will be judging your home from the moment they lay eyes on it—so make sure it looks its best!
3. Create More Storage Space
Buyers want to see a clean slate that they can envision making their own.
A well-organized home creates an instant impression of spaciousness and cleanliness—two qualities that are highly sought after by buyers. Before listing photos are taken or open houses are scheduled, spend some time decluttering each room in your house—starting with closets and cabinets (both kitchen and bathroom). Once these high-traffic areas are cleared out (and cleaned), move on to other rooms like the bedrooms, office/den, living room, attic, and basement.
4. Get Rid of Personal Touches
It’s important to remove most personal touches from your home before listing it for sale. This includes family photos, heirlooms, personal collections—anything that makes your house feel like YOUR house instead of one that appeals to a large number of buyers. Buyers want to be able to envision themselves living in your home, so it’s important to remove anything that might hinder that vision. Not sure where to start?
5. Clean, Clean, Clean
Give your home a good deep clean from top to bottom. This means scrubbing those hard-to-reach places, washing all the windows inside and out, and shampooing all the carpets. Buyers will be looking at every nook and cranny, so you want to make sure everything shines. If doing it yourself sounds like too much work, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to do a thorough job. The investment will be worth it come sale time.
By following these tips, you can make sure your house is ready for its closeup—and maybe even fetch a higher price in the process! So roll up your sleeves, and get started on this pre-sale checklist.
