The goal is to present a clean, spacious, clutter-free home

                                                          The kind you’d like to buy!

                                    Do a little each day and it will pay dividends

Curb Appeal

o   Mow lawn

o   Trim shrubs

o   Edge gardens and walkways

o   Weed and mulch

o   Sweep walkways and driveways, remove branches, litter and toys

o   Add color and fill bare spots with plantings

o   Remove mildew or moss from walls or walks with bleach and water

o   Take stains off your driveway with cleaner or kitty litter

o   Stack woodpile neatly

o   Clean and repair patio and deck areas

o   Remove any outdoor furniture which is not in good shape

o   Make sure pool or spa sparkles

o   Replace old storm doors

o   Check for flat-fitting roof shingles

o   Repair broken windows/shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking

o   Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood

o   Touch up exterior paint, repair gutters and eaves

o   Clean and remove rust from any window A/C units or store them away

o   Paint the front door and mailbox

o   Add a new front door mat and consider seasonal door decoration

o   Shine brass hardware on front door, exterior lighting fixtures, etc.

o   Make sure doorbell is in good working order

General Interior Tips

o   Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light neutral colors

o   Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary

o   Clean and wax hardwood floors, refinish if necessary

o   Clean and wash kitchen and bathroom floors

o   Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills

o   Clean the fireplace

o   Clean out and organize closets, add extra space by packing clothes and items you won’t need again until after you’ve moved

o   Remove extra furniture, worn rugs and items you don’t use: keep papers, toys, etc. picked up, especially on stairs

o   Repair easy fixes: loose doorknobs, cracked molding, leaky taps and toilets, squeaky doors, closet or screen doors off their tracks, etc.

o   Add dished potpourri or drop of vanilla or bath oil on light bulbs for scent

o   Secure jewelry, cash or other valuables

Living Room

o   Make it cozy and inviting, discard chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs

o   Consider packing away personal photos

o   Remove as much clutter as possible

Dining Room

o   Polish any visible silver or crystal

o   Set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining here

Kitchen

o   Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out (try baking soda for cleaning formica stains).

o   Make sure all appliances are in perfect working order

o   Clean often forgotten spots on top of fridge and under sink

o   Wax or sponge floors to brilliant shine, clean baseboards

o   Organize item inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won’t be using before your move

o   Keep counters as clear and empty as possible

Bathrooms

o   Remove all rust and mildew

o   Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, are immaculate and shining

o   Make sure all fixtures are in good shape

o   Replace loose caulking or grout

o   Make sure lighting is bright, but soft

Master Bedroom

o   Organize furniture to create a spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping and dressing areas

o   Organize and minimize walk-in closet

Basement

o   Sell, give away or throw out unnecessary items

o   Organize and create more space by hanging tools and placing items on shelves

o   Clean water heater and drain sediment

o   Change furnace filter

o   Make inspection access easy

o   Clean and paint concrete floors and walls

o   Provide strong overhead lighting

Attic

o   Tidy up by discarding or pre-packing

o   Make sure exposed insulation is visible and in good condition

o   Make sure air vent is in good working order

o   Provide strong overhead lighting

When It’s Time To Show

o   Make sure all marketing materials are readily available

o   Open all draperies and shades, turn on all lights

o   Pick up toys and other clutter, check to make sure beds are made and clothes are put away

o   Give the carpets a quick vacuuming

o   Add some strategically placed fresh flowers

o   Open bathroom window for fresh air

o   Pop a spicy desert or just a pan of cinnamon in the oven for aroma

o   Turn off the TV and put on some light non-offensive music at low volume

o   Make a fire in the fireplace (seasonal)

o   Put pets in the backyard or arrange for a friend to keep them

o   Make sure pet areas are clean and 100% odor-free

o   Make sure all trash is disposed