.When you put your home up for sale, it is hard to objectively look at your surroundings. Instead of the window that needs caulking, you see the view of the tree where your first swing hung. Instead of a refrigerator plastered with artwork, you see a visual progression of your child’s school years. However, it is important to remember that prospective buyers do not share your memories. They will see what is directly in front of them, minus the nostalgia!

Household Hints

(These are hints only. It is the responsibility of the User to make his/her own assessment regarding the suitability of the information)

Stale Carpet Odor ~ Stains
Put baking soda into a flour sifter and then sprinkle the carpet with the flour. Leave overnight and then vacuum. Consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner.

Cleaning Mini-Blinds
Place a clean sock on each hand, Dip your one hand into warm, soapy water and then rub each blind slat until the whole surface is clean.
Dry the blind slats with the dry sock on the other hand.

Refrigerator Odors
Pour a little pure vanilla on a cotton ball and sit it in a small saucer.
Place the saucer in the refrigerator to remove odors.

Broken Light Bulbs In Sockets
Turn off power to a ceiling / wall fixture, or unplug the lamp. Insert a potato into the socket and turn counterclockwise to loosen the remnants of the broken light bulb.

Washing Knick-Knacks
Gather them unto a tray for safe transport. Wash in a dish pan
with a little liquid detergent. Rinse, then blow-dry with a hair dryer.

Cleaning The Fireplace
Mist the ashes with water from a spray bottle. This will keep the ashes from scattering when you go to clean them from the grate.

Polishing Chrome
Dampen chrome with water. Polish with a small sheet of aluminum foil– shiny side out. Polishing furniture spraying polish directly onto furniture leaves smears. First, spray polish onto a cloth and then polish your furniture.

Squeaky wooden floors
dust talcum powder into the cracks to stop the squeaking.

Furniture Scratches

Scratches can be filled on light

wood by rubbing with the meat of a

walnut or pecan.

Cleaning Windows

Use vertical strokes on the outside

and horizontal strokes on the

inside. This makes it easier to see

which side has streaks.

Sticky Drawers

Rub a bar of hand soap across the

runners. Drawers should then glide

easily.

Wax Crayon on Painted Walls

Spray with WD40 and then wipe

clean. Dish soap will remove any

traces of WD40 left on the walls.

Avoid Painting Fixtures

Cover hinges and door handles

with petroleum jelly. Paint will not

stick to this.

 

Visualize Your Room Color

 

Before painting a room, purchase

the smallest amount of the new

color and paint a piece of

poster board. Place this in the room

and see how the color reacts to the

day and evening light.

Getting To Work

Unfortunately, very few homes are already picture perfect when the owners make the decision to sell. Most require anywhere from minor repairs to major renovations. How little or how much work you wish to put into your house is entirely up to you. However, remember the more attractive your home, the more appealing it will be to prospective buyers. And the more appealing … the faster the sale (and the higher the offer!!).

To assist you with this important element of house selling, I have made up

individual charts for each of the areas normally found in and around a home. If you have additional areas, such as a library or home office, most of the ideas listed will also apply to these locations as well. At the end of each chart are blank charts for you to add in your own special requirements. You will also find a column for checking off work that still needs to be done and another column for noting which work has been completed. Finally, there is a special “Don’t Panic … Buyer’s Are Coming” chart. This is a helpful reminder list of things to do just prior to showing your home to prospects.

 

The Exterior . . .

• Clear away any litter between the street curb and your front door
• Remove any oil stains from the driveway
• Repair any cracks or broken bits of driveway paving
• Clear bikes and toys from the driveway.
  (When showing the house, keep driveway free of cars)
• Repair any walkway cracks or broken bits
• Remove weeds and grass growing in walkway
• Trim back shrubs protruding into the walkway
• Trim the shrubs away from house windows
• (for security and to make interior rooms brighter)
• Weed the flower beds and add a layer of mulch
• Prune dead branches and pull back anything creeping
• across the house
• Cut the grass
• (Autumn) Rake the leaves
• Dispose of any pet debris
• Wash down vinyl siding, if necessary
• If house is wood, scrape and paint, if required
• Replace any missing or loose roof shingles & flashing
• Clean all windows, including those in the garage
• Replace any cracked or broken window glass
• Repair any wood rot
• Replace any bent or bulging window screens
• Repair and/or replace caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors
• Exterior doors lock properly. Easy to open and shut
• Oil any squeaky door hinges
• Doorbells are working properly
• Remove any seasonal house lights and ornaments
• There is a working light by the front door
• Tighten any wobbly porch or deck railings
• Secure any loose porch or deck floor boards
• Clean the lawn furniture
• Clean the barbeque
• Place gardening tools in the garage or basement
• Neatly coil any garden hoses
• Property is free of clutter, particularly scattered toys
• Oil gate hinges
• Gates open and close easily
• Repair and/or replace any loose gate or fence posts

The Finishing Touches

Shutters
Shutters and front door painted in a spectacular color which compliments the exterior of the house

• A shiny brass door knocker
• An attractive door mat
• Flowers clustered around a lamppost or mailbox
• Window boxes under windows and/or along railings
• (Winter: drape pine boughs across the empty boxes)
• Hanging planters
• Groupings of tubs with flowers on porches and decks
• Wood chips around trees and shrubs
• Brightly colored bird houses
• A porch swing with comfy cushions
• A hammock in the trees
• Filled bird feeders
• White wicker furniture
• An open umbrella above your deck furniture

The Garage …

• Have a garage sale
• Clean the trashcans to eliminate any unpleasant smell
• Make sure the space is brightly lit
• Sweep the floor
• Clean any oil and rust stains from the floor
• Clean the windows
• Replace any cracked or broken window glass
• Get rid of cobwebs
• The garage door is easy to maneuver up and down
• Pile up cartons together in one corner
• Recycle old magazines and newspapers
• Hang bicycles on bicycle hooks
• Hang tools on peg board
• Hang rakes, shovels, brooms, hoes, etc. from hooks
• Clean off the work bench
• Put up shelving for paint cans, containers of nails
• and screws, bags of fertilizer, winter tires, etc.
• Place all balls in bins so they are not bouncing around
• Organize gardening equipment
• All children’s toys, strollers, wagons, etc. are organized together
• Replace outside basketball hoop if net is torn

All Through The House …

• Clean all windows, including those in the garage
• Replace any cracked or broken window glass
• Repair any wood rot
• Check window screens. Replace any that are bent or bulging
• Repair and/or replace caulking and weather-stripping around windows and doors
• Exterior doors lock properly. Easy to open and shut
• Oil any squeaky door hinges
• Doorbells are working properly
• Polish any brass door handles
• Interior doors lock properly
• All doors and walls are free of fingerprints
• Illuminate dark corners with brighter light bulbs
• Consider replacing standard lighting with some track lighting
• Repair any noisy pipes
• Repair any squeaky floorboards
• Repair any cracks in floorboards or floor tiles
• Replace loose floorboards or floor tiles
• Repair any woodwork (door frames, baseboards, chair rails, etc.)     if chipped or dented
• Give woodwork a fresh coat of paint, if necessary
• Smoke & heat detectors are operating
• Fire extinguishers are in proper locations
• All electrical outlets are functioning properly. Try not to have extension cords running all around a room
• All electrical switches are working
• All electrical wall switches have plate covers
• All electrical wall plates are free of fingerprints
• Electrical wiring is up to safety standards
• There are no “dud” telephone jacks
• Fumigate house, if bothered by pests or rodents
• Eliminate unpleasant odors … cooking, pets, cigarette smoke, damp, must smell
• House at a comfortable temperature
• Soft music playing
• Curtains open (you don’t want to look as though you have dirty windows)
• Interior lights on to create a warm ambiance
• No pets or children racing through the house
• An unobstructed “walking path” through the house.
• Buyers shouldn’t have to maneuver around too many pieces of furniture
• A printed sheet for buyer’s describing what you enjoy most about living in your home

The Entryway …

• Clean and polish hardwood flooring
• Professionally clean carpeting
• Thoroughly clean out the entryway closet. Leave only the coats you are currently wearing. To give the illusion of space, hang longer coats to each end and shorter jackets in the center
• Entryway is unobstructed
• Entryway is brightly lit
• If entryway is dark, consider painting walls a pale cream color to bounce some light
• Consider hanging a mirror along one wall to open up the space and give either a sense of depth or width.
• Be sure it is reflecting something interesting.
• If you have a table, make sure it is uncluttered
• Hang a favorite painting or framed print. Here, in
• the entryway, it will be easily viewed
• If you have a wall with a collection of interesting objects, consider setting it off with track lighting
• Repair any loose carpeting or slippery areas on the stair case
• Handrail on staircase is secure
• Staircase is free of clutter
• Upstairs landing is well lit and free of clutter
• Professionally clean carpeting on upstairs landing and hallway, or remove if badly stained
• Paint woodwork and doors a semi-gloss white enamel. This will give a fresh clean look, and will pick up color tones in your wall paint
• Clean all dirt and scuff marks from walls and doors
• Repair any chipped plaster
• A colorful mat at the front door
• Space in the closet to hang the Buyers’ coats
• A polished table with a bouquet of silk flowers
• A little wicker basket on the table to hold the mail

The Living Room …

• Refinish or polish hardwood floors
• Professionally clean the carpeting or area rugs
• Repair any worn spots on carpeting, or replace with area rugs
• Professionally clean window treatments
• Clean any window blinds
• Be consistent with window treatments on all the windows in the room
• Clean ceiling fans and make sure they are operational
• Remove any “extra” furniture that crowds the room
• Pull furniture away from the walls and group pieces together in more intimate settings (i.e.: around a
• coffee table, an area rug, or in front of a fireplace)
• If television is open in the room, keep it dusted
• Clear away into boxes any tapes, videos or CDs that cannot be stored out of sight
• Remove newspapers at the end of the day, and only keep the most current magazines
• Keep magazines in a magazine rack
• Remove any and all plants that are not in the optimum of good health
• Clean all the light fixtures
• Use tri-light bulbs in table lamps, to control the degree of lighting you wish to display
• Clean the fireplace. Remove any build-up of ashes or charred bits of wood from the grate
• Polish fireplace implements
• Dust the furniture, windows and lights
• Vacuum the carpet / rugs and sweep the floor
• Two chairs grouped together around a small table with a jigsaw puzzle underway – and a colorful dish of pretzels
• A coffee table with a bouquet of flowers and a sumptuous “coffee-table book”
• Potted palm trees and hanging ferns drawing your eye away from bare corners
• Indoor shutters on windows that overlook a garden
• The use of chair rail molding and/or wallpaper border within the room

The Dining Room …

• Polish hardwood floors
• Professionally clean the carpeting or area rugs
• Repair any worn spots on carpeting, or replace with area rugs
• Professionally clean window treatments
• Be consistent with window treatments on all the windows in the room
• Clean ceiling fans and make sure they are operational
• Remove any “extra” furniture that crowds the room
• Remove and box any unnecessary dishes from your china cabinet
• Clean the lighting fixtures
• Repair and stain any nicks or scratches in the furniture
• Vacuum the carpet / rugs and sweep the floor
• Dust the furniture, windows and lights
• Polish any wooden pieces
• Polish and shine any brass hardware
• An elegantly set table for four – with china, crystal and silverware
• A low centerpiece of either silk flowers or candles
• A lace or embroidered runner on a side table
• A side table arranged with a tea set, cups and saucers, and a couple of ceramic bowls of fruit
• The interior light on in the china buffet
• A grouping of pretty painted dishes on the wall
• A small decorator lamp for accent lighting
• Potted palm trees and hanging ferns drawing your eye away from bare corners

The Kitchen …

• Clear off counter tops of practically everything.
• Buyers don’t want to see a clutter of small appliances, gadgets, mixing bowls, etc.
• Clean refrigerator, stove and microwave
• Clean vents and exhaust hoods
• Wipe down surface of cupboards and drawers
• If cupboards are old, consider giving them a fresh coat of paint, new handles and perhaps some interesting molding on the outside of the doors
• Cupboard doors close tightly
• Replace any broken handles
• Drawers open and shut without sticking
• Silverware and cooking utensil drawers are organized
• Wash the inside of the refrigerator (including shelves and food crispers)
• Add a box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors
• Throw out any expired food or old left-overs
• Kitchen sink is spotless
• Use grout cleaner around sink and recaulk if necessary
• Repair / replace chips in countertops.
• Clean any stains on countertop
• Scrub the cupboard under the kitchen sink
• Organize cleaning items into either a pail or on a special cleaning rack
• Repair any leaky faucets or under-the-sink pipes
• Wash and wax floor. Remove old wax build-up
• If linoleum is worn, replace or cover with an area rug
• Clean curtains and window blinds
• Clean ceiling fan
• Clean light fixtures
• Copper pot display is shining
• Organize Pantry with boxes, cans and jars placed neatly on the shelves
• Get rid of any unhealthy plants
• Clean pet “dining area”
• Kitchen is well lit
• Dust the furniture
• Vacuum rugs and sweep the floor.
• Colored glass bottles in the window
• A countertop arrangement of an open cookbook, a cheery bowl of fruit and a vase of garden flowers
• New dish towels and matching pot holders (bring them out if buyers are coming)
• Colorful burner covers on the stovetop
• A new area rug at the sink (bring it out if buyers are coming)
• The table set with bright place mats and napkins
• Wallpaper, and/or wallpaper border
• Strip lighting under the cupboards
• Small basket with scented soaps
• Decorative tiles in splash area behind sink
• A hanging rack to display your kitchen dishes

The Bathroom(s) …

• Remove any personal items (shampoo, medicine, cosmetics, hair blowers, etc.)
• Clean all glass and mirrors
• Remove any mildew
• Recaulk if necessary
• Repair grouting if necessary
• Remove rust stains from toilet, sink, tub and shower
• Repair any chipped porcelain
• Scour the bathtub and shower
• Wash shower curtain
• Replace any discolored shower curtain or shower door
• Clean soap build-up from shower door
• Shower door is easy to open and shuts tightly
• Clean and wax the floor. Remove any wax build-up
• Replace any stained, cracked or loose tiles
• Tighten loose toilet
• Replace old toilet seat
• Toilet flushes properly
• Wash toilet seat cover and bath mats
• Toilet freshener in toilet
• Check water pressure
• Clean vanity, sink, and polish all faucets
• Soap and soap dish are clean
• Repair dripping faucets
• Area under sink is organized
• Pipes under the sink are clean and not leaking
• Linen closet is organized
• Use shelf paper as liners in drawers which are stained, or on linen closet shelves
• Clean the lighting fixtures
• Launder the curtains
• Arrange towels neatly on towel racks
• Laundry basket is out-of-sight
• Vacuum / sweep floor
• Thick new towels in vibrant colors (bring out when buyers are coming)
• Toilet seat cover and bath mat co-ordinate with towels
• Colorful guest towels laid out on the vanity
• A full length mirror
• A lock on the door
• Dishes of tiny ivy plants
• A collection of scented (but unlit) candles
• A mirrored tray with a collection of fancy perfume bottles
• An antique water pitcher filled with dried, silk, or fresh flowers
• A pretty plate of little guest soaps
• Towel racks, which match bathroom fixtures
• A grouping of framed prints on the wall
• A room done in one color with one bright accent color (all white with a wallpaper border of sky and clouds, and sky blue towels)

The Bedroom(s) …

• Professionally clean carpeting
• Polish hardwood flooring
• Clean the curtains
• Remove excess furniture to create a feeling of space
• Clear personal items from the dresser
• Valuables are hidden from view
• Sliding closet doors open easily and are not obstructed
• Closet doors open and close tightly
• Organize closets and keep only what is totally necessary. Box and label the rest for moving
• Keep shoes on a shoe rack in closet
• Use closet organizers
• Make the beds
• Hang-up and put away clothes
• Dry clean comforters and bedspreads
• Clean light fixtures
• Use tri-light bulbs in table lamps
• Clean ceiling fan
• Dust furniture
• Vacuum the carpet / rugs and sweep the floor
• Use boxes under the bed for hidden storage

The Basement / Laundry …

• Ventilate … no smell of damp or must
• Make sure all of the basement is brightly lit
• Clean the furnace, humidifier, hot water heater and circuit breaker box
• Change any filters
• Cover water heater with insulated jacket
• All light switches work
• Pull chain lights have chains, and are easy to reach
• Arrange basement contents so it is easy to walk around
• Handrail on basement stairs is secure
• Arrange for an exterminator, if necessary
• Clean and deodorize any pet areas
• Fix any water leakage and repair damage
• Electrical system is up-to-date and fuse box is not over loaded
• Clean laundry appliances
• Appliances are in working order
• Keep dirty clothes out of sight
• Floor and walls around washer and dryer are clean
• Laundry area is brightly lit
• All pipes and connections are in working order
• Vacuum, sweep and dust basement. The Basement / Laundry …The Finishing Touches
• Unfinished basement has freshly painted walls
• Colorful area rugs in basement and in laundry area
• Artificial greenery in laundry area
• Laundry has a “drying rack”
• Owner’s manuals conveniently placed so buyer can check them
• An “interrupted” board game laid out on a table in a Recreation Room
• A sofa, two comfy chairs and a coffee table arranged in front of a television. A warm afghan folded in the corner of the sofa. A bowl of popcorn and a movie
• video placed on the table. The Basement / Laundry …

“Don’t Panic …Buyers Are Coming”

The Last Minute

• Clear away any litter from in front of your house
• Make sure all outside bikes, toys and gardening implements are in their proper places
• Remove any pet debris
• Garage is empty of vehicles and garage door is shut
• (Winter) Snow and ice removed from sidewalks
• Trashcans are not causing the garage to smell
• Garage floor is swept
• All lights are on in each room (and in the basement)
• Start a fire in the fireplace (if someone is home)
• No lingering odors in the house
• Turn on soft music in the living room
• There is an unobstructed path through the house
• Open all interior doors
• Open the curtains and roll-up any blinds
• The house is at a comfortable temperature
• Vacuum and dust (if there is time)
• Close TV cabinet doors in the Living Room
• Remove any glasses and plates of food from rooms
• Put away any clutter in hallways, or on staircases
• Make sure there is space in entry closet to hang coats
• Remove any dead flowers from floral arrangements
• Make sure kitchen appliances are spotless
• Take out any kitchen garbage
• Check that the pet “eating area” is clean
• Clear the countertops
• Put out new dish towels and tea towels (and place mats on the kitchen table)
• Clear all dirty dishes into the dishwasher
• Personal items are hidden from view in the bathrooms
• Put out new bathroom towels
• Tubs and sinks are clean
• Shower curtains are pulled back
• Toilet seats are down
• Beds are made
• Clothing is put away
• Personal items are put away off the bedroom dressers
• Toys are picked up in children’s bedrooms
• Turn off any televisions
• Turn off any radios
• Turn off dishwasher
• Turn off washing machine and / or dryer
• All “Finishing Touches” Are In Place
• Don’t forget the pets
• Don’t forget the children
• Relax. Go somewhere and have fun!!

.