When most people imagine prepping their homes to go on the market, they often think about staging and cleaning. But there’s more to getting your home buyer-ready than setting out potpourri and lighting candles.

Chances are that every room in your house or condo could use some basic improvements or repairs. In this post, we’ll provide a detailed checklist that you can use to ensure your home is at its most impressive.

Want a printable copy of these tips? Download this checklist and save it for future reference!

General Tips

Paint

If your walls or the exterior of your house are looking dingy (or you’ve painted them with very bright colors), consider a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color.

Declutter

Pare down and organize your belongings, both indoors and out. Your property will look cleaner and more inviting.

Wash Windows

A bright and airy-looking space is key to a wow-factor walkthrough. Wash all of your windows, inside and out. Don’t forget to remove any screens and wash them as well.

Landscape

In the warmer months, keep your grass cut and tend to your plants.

Kitchen

Surfaces

Declutter countertops perform a deep clean on your floors (including baseboards).

Cupboards

Organize your spices and other cupboard contents; wipe down shelves; replace loose or grimy interior lining.

Stove

Test burners and lights or fans above your stove (buyers sometimes check these features). Wipe down your stovetop including all dials and knobs.

Appliances

Polish stainless steel appliances. Consider replacing those that are getting dingy; talk to your Realtor about the potential ROI (return on investment) of replacing your appliances.

Taps and sink

Replace leaky or outdated faucet and fixtures; clean your sink (baking soda works well on stainless steel).

Tip: Avoid cooking food with strong odors around viewing times! While common wisdom might suggest that Realtors should bake cookies during open houses, more and more people are citing strong smells as health concerns. Best to play it safe and stick to a fresh, natural smells.

Bedrooms

Linens & Curtains

Invest in linens and a new set of blinds or curtains if your own aren’t in pristine condition.

Closets

Organize the contents of your closets to make the interiors appear more spacious.

Dressers

Clean distracting clutter off of dressers and bedside tables. Make things cozy by adding inviting elements like throw pillows or antique clocks.

Tip: Stick to a neutral color scheme so potential buyers can envision what the room will look like once they add their own decorative touches.

Bathrooms

Toilet

Ensure your toilet is clean. Contact a plumber if it’s not in good working order. Common issues include handles that stick and water that continues to run after flushing.

Sink

Clean your bathroom sink and remove stains; replace leaky or worn taps.

Shower

Re-grout dingy tile, scour grimy shower doors, and replace leaky showerheads.

Declutter

Clear off countertops and organize the insides of cabinets. Remove unsightly cleaning products from view.

Decorate

Hang clean towels in neutral colors. Consider adding a few elements that will create a spa-like environment, like bath oils or loofahs.

Tip: pristine bathrooms are a big selling point for potential buyers, so you may want to consider hiring professional cleaners.

Living room

Floors

For hardwood floors, consider removing damaged floorboards and restraining the wood; replace outdated or faded carpeting. At the minimum, deep clean all carpets.

Walls

Repair damaged drywall and patch holes where paintings used to hang; consider removing family photos, which can make it more difficult for buyers to imagine inhabiting a house.

Shelves

Declutter shelves and use items such as books, sculptures, and other decorative elements sparingly to create a pleasant environment.

Want to know the most important things to do before listing your home for sale? We’d like to help you through the process of preparing your home. Give us a call at 202.270.1081 or email us at anslie@thestokesgroup.com.