Fully preparing your home for sale can make a
considerable difference in the time it takes to sell
it. You can help eliminate buyer objections before
they arise by making necessary repairs and
improvements, some of which are suggested below:
Outdoors
Spruce up your garden and lawn; trim
shrubbery and replace dead plants
Yard and patio should be neat;
outdoor furniture should be clean and in
good shape
Clean or paint your front door -
remember first impressions last the
longest!
Manicure your front yard; make sure
your driveway and entryway are free of
clutter
Exterior
Check that house numbers, mailbox,
and exterior lighting are all in good
condition
Touch up with fresh paint as needed
Inspect chimney for cracks or
earthquake damage
Repair loose trim, drain pipes, and
fencing
Clean stains and window screens
Garage
Remove clutter and tidy up the
shelves
Clean the floor
Overall
Apply fresh paint as needed. Think
about brightening your interior with
neutral-toned paint
Clean draperies and carpets
Replace burned out light bulbs
Clean the fireplace and remove smoke
stains from the wall and mantle
Kitchen
Sinks, appliances and counter tops
should sparkle; remove any clutter.
Wax the floor
Clean the oven range and other
appliances
Clean tile and grout; replace if
necessary
Bathrooms
Clean mirrors, glass, chrome and
porcelain surfaces
Replace shower curtain if necessary
Fix any faucet drips or leaks
Clean grout and caulking; replace if
necessary
Closets
Doors and drawers should open and
close easily
Remove clutter; tidy up shelves and
racks
Clothes should be neatly arranged
Indoors
Check the basics around the house.
It takes just a minute to check all
doors, windows and cabinets to make sure
they don't stick, squeak or are too
loose
Clean your furnace and water heater
so buyers know they are looking at a
house that has been well maintained
