What Does Your Home Look Like Through the Buyers Eyes?

This is an important question to ask yourself when preparing to sell your home. The following checklist will give you an idea of what should be done to your home so that it looks at its best.

Basement, Attic, and Garage

Clean out attic, basement, and garage and dispose of everything you are not going to move.
Package everything you wont need until you are settled in your new home.
Make sure there is plenty of light on the stairs to the basement.
If your basement is dark and gloomy, paint ceiling and walls a light color.
Vacuum the garage floor and stack items against the walls to make it appear bigger.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the most important room in the house. Make it bright and tractive.
Remove any appliances that you keep on your counters, such as the toaster, coffee maker, and can opener.
Clean counters make the room look larger.
Leave a luscious smell in the kitchen, such as vanilla, cinnamon-apple tea, etc.

Bathrooms

Repair any dripping faucets.
Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.
Remove stains from toilets, bathtubs, and sinks. There are products avail-able that will make the job easier.
Keep a solid deodorizer in the bathroom area.
Replace old caulking around the sink , tub, and shower.
Grout tile if needed.

Living Areas

Have all plaster in top shape. Cracks, nail pop and visible seams in drywall are easy to fix.
Check ceilings for leak stains. Fix the cause of the damage, repair the ceiling and repaint.
If you have a fireplace, clean it out and lay some logs in it to make it look inviting.
Wash windows and replace cracked or broken glass; make sure all windows open and shut easily.
Replace burned out light bulbs. Be sure every light switch works.
Straighten up closets, get rid of excess and store out of season cloths so that closets look larger.
Use room deodorants to eliminate musty odors. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors.
For doors that stick slightly, rub a block of paraffin against the surface that shows signs of wear.

Outside

Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. A well manicured lawn, neatly clipped shrubbery and cleanly swept walks create a good first impression.
Cut back over-grown shrubbery that looks scraggly or keeps light out of the house.
Paint your house if necessary. This can do more for the sales ap-peal than any other factor. If you decide against painting, at least consider front shutters and window frames.
In winter walks should be free of ice and snow.
Inspect roof and gutters. Any missing shingles to replace?
Consider putting flowers outside of the front door.
Repaint front door if needed.
Keep lawn closely cut and edged.