general

House should be very clean & looking it's best.

Lawn should be freshly mowed & edged.

Move pet dishes, toys & kennels out of sight.

Make beds & put away clothing, toys & valuables.

Turn on all lights & turn ceiling fans off.

pro tip

Before a showing, make sure there are not any lingering cooking aromas, pet odors, or other strong smells. This can be a deal breaker to some buyers.

KITCHEN

Clear off countertops, removing as many items as possible.

Put dishes away & place sponges & cleaning items underneath the sink.

Hang dish towels neatly & remove rugs, potholders, trivets, etc.

BATHROOM

Remove personal items from counters, showers & tub areas.

Move cleaning items, plungers & trash cans out of sight.

Close toilet lids, remove rugs & hang towels neatly.

inside

Clear off all flat surfaces - less is more

Put away papers & misc. items.

Depersonalize: take down family

photos & put away personal items.

Replace burnt out light bulbs & dust all light fixtures.

Clear off the refrigerator: remove all magnets, photos & papers.

Deep clean the entire house.

Touch up paint on walls, trim & doors.

Make any needed repairs.

outside

Increase curb appeal: remove all yard clutter & plant colorful flowers.

Trim bushes & clean up flower beds.

Pressure wash walkways & driveway.

Add a welcome mat to the front door.

pro tip

Don't be tempted to shove things inside closets! Curious buyers look in there too. Emptier closets are also more appealing!