Do you want to give your home the best possible chance to sell, even during less-than-ideal market conditions? Many real estate agents will suggest a pre-listing inspection to show you where the top areas are for improvement. We suggest taking matters into your own hands even before getting to that point.

Many sellers are unsure where to start when preparing for a sale. This is why we compiled this informative and comprehensive guide and checklist. Reviewing most—or all—of these items will help you sell quickly and for the right price.

Curb Appeal

Tending to the yard is often a secondary concern for sellers who are busy thinking about what colour paint they should pick. However, your outside curb appeal is essential to create a memorable first impression on potential buyers.

While you probably don’t have to invest in extensive landscaping, you’ll want to take steps to present a clean and well-maintained exterior. Mowing the lawn and pulling the weeds are an excellent start. The steps below will go even further and help make your buyers feel at home:

• Power wash the driveway, walkways and siding.
• Fill any driveway cracks.
• Repaint or stain the patio.
• Clean windows and wells.
• Ensure outdoor lights are working.
• Test the doorbell.
• Clean pool or spa, if applicable.
• Add solar lights to the driveway and garden.
• Plant some colourful flowers.
• Trim trees and bushes.
• Clean and paint the front door.
• Keep the driveway, walkways and sidewalks clear of snow.
• Install a new door handle.
• Add new house numbers.
• Remove any unwanted debris.

Looking for even more ideas to dazzle every potential buyer who comes through your door? The posts below can help:

• 8 Important Things to Remember When Selling Your Home
• The Power of Staging When Selling Your Home
• A Back to Basics Guide to Maximizing Your Sale

Living Room and Front Entrance

You’ll want the magic to continue as your buyer makes their way through the front door. Your entranceway and living room don’t necessarily need to be fancy or adorned with designer furniture and trim. However, they should be clean and inviting, and above all, clutter-free to create an impression of spaciousness.

• Hang coats and arrange footwear neatly.
• If there is a closet, keep it neat. Buyers are highly interested in storage space!
• Keep furniture to a minimum.
• Clear off coffee and end tables.
• Remove any ashtrays.
• Organize TV and game remotes.
• Display decorative throw blankets or pillows.
• Replace personal photos and knick-knacks with attractive-yet-impersonal artwork.

Kitchen

The bathroom and kitchen are typically the rooms buyers will scrutinize the most. As far as the kitchen goes, people want to see themselves delighting their inner chefs and preparing meals for friends and family. Even those who prefer not to cook still like to imagine laughing over conversation or enjoying a game night.

If you want to make the most of your sale, it pays to spend a little time, effort and maybe even money sprucing up the areas buyers value most.

• Perform a deep clean of the refrigerator and stove.
• Ensure all appliances are working.
• Wash all cabinet doors and organize interiors to create space.
• Remove magnets from the refrigerator.
• Take out trash and hide the trash can.
• If anything is visible through glass, be sure that the display is attractive.
• If there’s a separate dining room, it should also be clean and well-organized.
• Clear off the dining table.
• Use one nice centrepiece as a focal point.
• Clean any glass displays.

Helpful hint: Make sure the chandelier is at least 60″ from the floor. If it’s under the table, be sure that it is well-centred.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms aren’t just for washing up or getting ready for your day anymore. For many buyers, they are an oasis where you can relax and soak away stress.

Savvy sellers will do whatever they can to transform the bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Fortunately, this usually involves a few minor steps rather than a massive renovation.

• Clean thoroughly so the sink, toilet and bathtub sparkle.
• Wash the floors.
• Scrub away any soap residue.
• Re-caulk the shower, sink, tub and cabinetry.
• Replace worn shower mats and towels.
• Check that water is draining correctly.
• Ensure the toilet flushes.
• Check the exhaust fan.
• Hide garbage cans and cleaning supplies.
• Organize cabinets and drawers.

Storage Spaces

We’ve mentioned it before but it’s worth repeating; potential buyers love storage space. The more you have, the higher the perceived value of your home becomes.

As a seller, you can enhance this highly coveted space by keeping every closet, cabinet and drawer neat – and only half full. (Closets filled to the brim appear smaller than they are.) When a buyer sees that there is room for much more, these spaces seem even bigger and more valuable.

Each closet, drawer and cabinet deserves some special attention.

• Declutter and dispose of every unnecessary item.
• Wipe down the surfaces of all drawers and shelves.
• Organize any remaining items neatly.

Bedrooms

Though buyers may place a high value on the kitchen and bathroom, they will still want to see bedrooms that are cozy, clean and inviting. A few hours tidying up will go a long way.

• Declutter and create empty space in any closets.
• Tuck everyday necessities away.
• Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including ceiling fans.
• Organize nightstands and dressers, displaying only the bare minimum.
• Wash bedding and pillows, purchase new bedspreads if necessary.
• Clean the window, blinds and curtains
• Minimize the furniture for added spaciousness.

Garage

Most home buyers love a house with a garage. If this is a feature your home offers, be sure to show it off accordingly!

• Power wash the floors and surfaces.
• Remove any cobwebs.
• Organize strategically to create space.
• Add bins and shelves.
• Organize tools and equipment.
• Cover exposed wiring.
• Ensure the garage door is working.
• Test the lights.

Do you want to make sure nothing is left to chance when selling your home? The posts below will help you cover all the bases:

• Why Did My Neighbour’s House Sell but Mine Didn’t?
• Why Home Sellers Need to Think More Like Buyers
• Do I Really Have to Update My Home Before Selling It?

Overall Interior Pre-Listing Checklist

Certain rooms will benefit from more attention when getting your home ready to sell. That said, there are guidelines that apply to the whole house. Paying attention to these finer details sets your listing apart from others in your area and can help you sell for more.

• Clean, wax or even refinish the floors.
• Shine all mirrors and windows.
• Clean fireplaces.
• Lightly oil any squeaking hinges.
• Remove excess or tired-looking furniture.
• Tighten up loose doorknobs.
• Repair holes and cracks in walls
• Repaint with neutral colours.
• Touch up ceilings.
• Wipe down all baseboards and trim.
• Organize the basement.
• Check and replace lightbulbs.
• Add lamps to any dark spaces.
• Dust all lights and ceiling fans.
• Replace personal photos with tasteful artwork.
• Have carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Clean all doors.

In Between Showings

Preparing your house for the market is only half the battle. Once everything is sparkling clean, you have to keep it that way, which presents another challenge. Getting into a daily habit of putting everything away when you’re finished with it will help.

The checklist below will help you touch up your already gleaming home just in time for a showing:

• Remove any dirty dishes from the table and counter.
• Put away shoes and outerwear.
• Have a welcome mat where buyers can take off their shoes.
• Tuck away pet food and supplies.
• Prune and nurture all house plants.
• Place fresh flowers on the table.
• If possible, open the windows to fill your home with fresh air.

Preparing your house for an outstanding sale might seem like a lot of work, but our real estate professionals can make the job much easier. Reach out to us today or call 905-332-9223 to learn more.