- Contact with a reputable company for a home warranty plan. It may significantly increase the perceived value of your home, help your home sell faster, help protect your budget from unexpected expenses and limit potential after-sale problems.
- Replace heating and air conditioning filters.
- Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint deterioration.
- Check roof for loose or missing shingles, check ceiling and attic for water penetration.
- Clean areas around indoor and outdoor heating deposits that slow water flow.
- Have slow running drains cleaned
- Make sure all sinks and bathtub stoppers hold water.
- Learn location of electrical service panels and label each circuit.
- Have air conditioning condensation lines cleaned.
Work out the BUGS.
- Ask a reputable pest control service company to inspect your home for pests and treat if necessary. The sight of just one pest can dramatically affect the way a prospective buyer views your home.
- Ask a reputable pest control service company to inspect your home for termites. Many states require a clearance letter stating the home is free from any wood destroying organisms, so it’s a good idea to have the inspection before closing.
- Seal cracks and holes in the exterior of the home to prevent ants and other pests from entering.
- Remove any debris from around your home that might harbor pests.
- Don’t leave food or dirty dishes out in the open - yours or your pet’s - to attract pests.
Make your home SHINE
- Clean upholstery and polish wood surfaces. Clean, neat, well-kept rooms make a good impression and show your home in a favorable light.
- Clean carpets and remove spots.
- Clean walls and wax woodwork.
- Clean windows inside and out – glass, frames and ledges.
- Clean draperies and open to maximize natural light.
- Clean bathrooms thoroughly – floors, walls, fixtures and tiles.
- Clean kitchen ceiling, cabinets, appliances and fixtures; wax and polish kitchen floor.
- Clean attic, garage and other storage areas.
- Clean closets and hang clothes neatly. Store shoes, luggage and other articles neatly.
- Clean your swimming pool until it sparkles.
Keep your home HUMMING.
- Use vinegar to clean mineral deposits off the heating element of your dishwasher.
- Clean oven, stove top and microwave.
- Clean your disposal by pushing a full tray of ice cubes through it while running cold water. Follow with a lemon for a fresh scent.
- Check your water heater and drain pan for leaks or corrosion.
- Check heating/air conditioning filters every month.
- Clean the dryer lint screen after each load of clothes has been dried and the unit is empty.
- Once a year, clean the coils on the back or underneath refrigerator with a vacuum cleaner.
Increase your CURB APPEAL.
- Mow and edge your lawn regularly.
- Prune and trim trees and shrubs.
- Rake leaves and pick up fallen limbs.
- Replace dead or diseased plants and shrubs.
- Cover beds and gardens with 1-4 inches of mulch to conserve moisture, reduce weed growth and maintain uniform temperature.
- Clean out flower beds and plant seasonal flowers to enhance the beauty of your yard.
- Re-paint or re-stain lawn furniture.
- Repair and re-paint fences, decks and screen doors.
- Discard old or broken lawn furniture, flower pots and hanging baskets.
- Sweep walkways, patio, decks, steps and porches.
- Water your lawn, trees and shrubs regularly and consider fertilization.
APPREARANCE is everything.
- Use 75-watt light bulbs to brighten rooms.
- Arrange furniture to make rooms appear larger and provide maximum walk space.
- Restore or repair damaged furniture or upholstery
- Repair or refinish damaged doors, molding and paneling.
- Remove ashes and soot from fireplace, clean smoke marks.
- Reface or paint kitchen and bath cabinets at a fraction of the cost of new cabinets.
- Polish and buff wood furniture to eliminate surface scratches and enhance the look of the room.
- Sell or store extra furniture so that the house looks open and spacious.
- Deodorize the entire house to remove unpleasant odors, such as mildew, smoke and cooking smells.