2. Create a positive mood. Turn on all lights, day or night. Open the curtains during the day.
3. Install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly-in its best light.
4. Remove all clutter from each room to visually enlarge them.
5. If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.
6. Keep your home dusted and vacuumed at all times.
7. Have a family emergency "game plan" to get the home in order quickly if necessary.
8. Air out your home one-half hour before the showing if possible.
9. Lightly spray the room with air freshener 30 minutes before a showing so that it has a chance to diffuse before the buyer arrives.
10. Microwave a small dish of vanilla twenty minutes before the showing and place it in an out-of-the-way place in the kitchen.
11. Create a master "suite" affect in your decorating.
12. Make sure that beds are made and the linens and curtains are fresh and clean.
13. Organize your closets, remove unnecessary items and put them in storage.
14. Bathrooms should always be kept spotlessly clean.
15. Do not leave used towels around and wipe down the shower areas after each use.
16. Re-Caulk if the caulking is not sparkling white!
17. Put out fresh towels and decorative soap for showings.
18. Close the toilet-bowls in all bathrooms.
19. Set the scene by setting the table! Highlight the potential of your dining room by setting a grand dining table!
20. The kitchen should always be kept spotlessly clean.
21. Expand your counter space by removing small appliances.
22. Highlight an eat-in area in your kitchen with a table set for dinner.
23. Shampoo all carpets and vacuum them daily.
24. If the carpet does not clean up well you should Replace It!
25. Improve traffic flow through every room and create a feeling of spaciousness in every room by removing unnecessary furniture, knick knacks, hobby items, children's items, etc.
26. However, try to avoid creating a "sterile" looking environment.
27. Remove all grease from range hoods, ovens, stove tops, walls, etc.
28. Clean rubbish out of the fireplace and keep it clean in the winter.
29. If you have numerous family photos put them away until your home is under contract. Perspective buyers will feel more like it can be their home if they aren't aware of your family photo memories.
30. Remove all unnecessary items from the attic, basement, garage, tool shed, and especially from the storage area if you have one.
31. Rent a storage area for these items or have a yard sale.
32. Straighten, tidy, and remove unnecessary items from all closets. Put unnecessary items in storage.
33. Clean out cob-webs that accumulate in the ceiling corners in all rooms.
34. Fix the Front Door Bell!
35. Invest in a new door mat.
36. Make sure the front door, storm door, screen door, etc. work properly and do not stick or jam.
37. Create the feeling of a spacious entry area by using decorating accents, mirrors, rugs, etc. and by removing all unnecessary clutter.
38. Regardless of the season, tackle spring cleaning. Clean everything in your home from top to bottom, from the attic to the basement!
39. Wash all windows, inside and out.
40. Curtains should be fresh, clean and attractive.
41. Clean all light bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers to brighten the home.
42. Remove all smoke odors, pet odors, and other odors resulting from hobbies, home should smell clean.
43. Remove posters and adhesive from walls and doors and putty any holes resulting from nails or other mishaps.
44. Depersonalize teenager's rooms and decorate in a neutral temperament.
45. Paint all inside walls with off-white paint. Use two or more coats to cover bold, bright or dark walls.
46. Repair or replace all doors, closet doors, and/or windows and screens so that they open with ease.
47. Repair or replace banisters and handrails so that they feel solid and safe.
48. Repair or replace broken tiles on walls, floors or in showers/tubs.
49. Repair or replace loose or dangling wall paper.
50. Replace all toilet bowls if you cannot get them spotlessly clean.
51. Replace shower curtains and keep them clean.
52. Replace the washers in faucets and remove rust stains from basins.
53. Water and prune all plants.
54. Use plants in transitional areas of your home between inside and out.
55. Either get rid of dying plants or keep them out of sight.
56. Remove any excess extension cords and exposed wires.
57. Open doors to areas you want the potential buyer to see such as walk-in closets, pantries, attic, basement, etc.
58. Close all other closet doors and cabinets.
59. Make the most of your attic's potential, if applicable.
60. Make the attic as pleasant as possible by airing it out, and decorating if possible.
61. Add visual appeal to stairways, especially in unfinished stairways to the basement.
62. Keep the yard mowed, raked, fertilized and watered at all times!
63. Remove all toys, bicycles, tools, unsightly patio furniture, trash, etc. from the yard.
64. Trees and shrubs should be pruned and trimmed.
65. Lawns and gardens should be weeded at all times.
66. Use flowering plants to dress up the yard, walkways, and patio.
67. All hoses and garden equipment should be neatly out of sight.
68. Outdoor furniture should be kept clean and/or repainted if necessary.
69. Mail boxes should be evaluated with a critical eye.
70. Paint and repair the mail box or replace it if necessary.
71. Make all those minor repairs to the exterior.
72. Porches, steps, verandas, balconies, patios and other extensions of the house should be kept uncluttered, swept and in good condition.
73. Paint all entrance doors.
74. Shades and awnings should be in good condition. Replace if the color has faded.
75. Highlight your pool area, water garden, etc. with lighting, benches, planters, flowering plants, etc.
76. Take nighttime photos if you have decorative yard lighting systems.
77. Clean and shine all accessories (door knobs, knockers, lamps, mail boxes, address numbers, etc.).
78. Clean, repair and paint all gutters and downspouts.
79. All roof shingles, tiles, etc. should be secured or replaced. If the roof leaks - Fix It!
80. Make sure the garage door opens easily. Fix and paint the garage door if
necessary.
81. An investment in painting your home can really make the difference between "turning on" the buyer and sending up a red flag about the condition of the home.
82. Don't be afraid to accept the first offer.
83. Obtain a floor plan of your home if possible.
84. Assemble house records for buyer perusal.
85. Only consider written offers by lender-prequalified buyers.
Selling your home? Call JoAnn Young today! 321-243-4917 or email at JoAnn@myFLdreamhome.com
