You can significantly influence the selling price of your property by preparing your home before putting it on the market. Here are some suggestions to improve a buyer's first impression of your home. Print this out and use it as a reference.

General

• Remove clutter
• Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners
• Remove paint splash on floor and cabinets
• Clean and polish door hardware and handrails
• Clean wall switches and outlet covers
• Clean and tidy basement and attic storage
• Add plants and flowers throughout the house

House Exterior

• Sealed driveway
• Weed-free driveway and walkways
• Healthy, weed-free, and trimmed lawn
• Trees and shrubs trimmed
• Wash front steps and porch
• Check front doorbell and bell light
• Clean or replace welcome mat
• Repair and repaint fences and gates
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Clean or repaint siding
• Wash windows and screens
• Clean shutters

Living, Family, Dining Rooms

• Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
• Repair or replace damaged moulding
• Clean and wax hardwood and vinyl floors
• Shampoo carpet

Bedrooms

• Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
• Clean drapes and bedspread
• Shampoo carpet
• Clean out all closets
• Clear all bedroom furniture
• Put away all clothing

Bathrooms

• Paint or wallpaper using light colors
• Scrub tile, bleach, and repair grout
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
• Clean floor
• Clean out medicine cabinet
• Seal around tubs and showers
• Replace old toilet seats
• Replace shower window curtains
• Put out a set of color coordinated bath linens

Kitchen

• Paint or wallpaper walls and ceiling with light color
• Clean floor
• Clean cabinets and appliances
• Clean out refrigerator and wash interior
• Empty dishwasher and clean around controls
• Check operation of all appliances
• Arrange and clean food storage areas
• Clean out cabinets and drawers
• Neatly display dishes in cabinets
• Clear clutter from counter tops
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
• Wash or replace curtains

Laundry

• Check operation of appliances
• Clean all appliances
• Clean and organize laundry area
• Provide adequate light to area

Garage

• Check operation of wall sockets
• Remove oil and grease from floor
• Clean and organize storage
• Repair/replace noisy garage door opener