If you’re planning on selling your house then it’s important to clean it and make it appear as brand new as possible. You may not have time to do full renovations, but you can at least declutter and make it a more welcoming space for open houses and potential homebuyers. With a bit of effort, your home can look warm and inviting, so your house or condo sells quickly. Here is a checklist to increase the saleability of your home.
GENERAL AREAS—LIVING ROOM & BEDROOM SPACES
⬜ It’s important to clean, clean, and keep on cleaning.
⬜ Paint all rooms in neutral colours. This is particularly important if you have aging or harsh colours.
⬜ Remove any excess furniture. This can make your home look more spacious.
⬜ Create multiple seating areas, rather than just having a couch.
⬜ Cover any worn sofas with throws or cushions.
⬜ Add decorative cushions to beds.
⬜ Steam clean all carpets in the home.
⬜ Stage an unused room as an office.
⬜ Update lighting fixtures in the dining room, bathroom, and kitchen.
⬜ Remove all light bulbs and install newer and brighter LED bulbs.
⬜ Install track lights to highlight your home’s finest features.
⬜ Sand and polish old wooden furniture to make it look new again.
⬜ Replace all duvet covers on beds.
⬜ Wash all cushion covers and bed linens.
⬜ Declutter all rooms. Toss out or donate what you don’t want. Place the rest in boxes and put it into storage until your move.
⬜ Add artwork to your walls.
⬜ Hang mirrors in the dining room and dressing room. Bigger is better.
⬜ Create built-in shelving units. More storage is attractive to buyers.
KITCHEN & BATH
⬜ Replace or clean all lighting fixtures until they sparkle.
⬜ Replace rusted or dull hardware on cabinet doors or hall doors.
⬜ Add moldings to built-in cabinet fronts and repaint.
⬜ Repair any minor issues around the home. A bit of filler and touch-up paint goes far.
⬜ Replace your worn shower curtain.
⬜ Store towels rolled up so you don’t have to replace them.
⬜ Throw out half-used products so you don’t have to go to the effort of packing them.
⬜ Replace or remove old appliances. These include toasters, kettles, and coffee makers.
⬜ Replace faucets in your kitchen and bathroom.
⬜ Purchase a shower caddy to organize your bathtub region.
⬜ Clean the interior and exterior of your stove and oven.
⬜ Add a soft bedside table lamp in the bedroom.
OUTDOOR CURB APPEAL
⬜ Mow both front and back lawns.
⬜ Plant seasonal flowers or plant into containers and pots that you’ll bring with you to your next home.
⬜ Group potted plants in front of the porch.
⬜ Pressure wash your driveway, sidewalks, and patio.
⬜ Add hanging pots above your front door.
⬜ Paint your front door.
⬜ Clean all interior and exterior windows.
PREPARE FOR A HOMEBUYER VISIT
⬜ Fill vases with fresh flowers and place in the living room, dining room, and kitchen.
⬜ Shine all faucets and ensure all water droplets are wiped up.
⬜ Remove all family photos and place into storage.
⬜ Pull up all blinds and open the curtains.
⬜ Open all the windows to get fresh air, unless you live on a noisy street.
⬜ Open doors to let light and fresh air in.
⬜ Leave pets with a neighbor. Remove their food and water dishes. Remove all litter boxes. Clean up litter.
⬜ Add a light but the fresh scent, such as lemon or lime. Avoid using strong imitation fragrances, or having lingering cooking smells unless they’re freshly baked cookies.
⬜ Empty all garbage and kitchen bins, including from the office.
⬜ Clean all toilets and put all seats down. Ensure paper roll is full.
⬜ Make all beds and place attractive cushions on top.
⬜ If it’s winter time, turn on the fireplaces.
⬜ Fluff and arrange all cushions in the living room.
⬜ Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature.
