Use this Checklist to Help
Get Your Home Ready to Sell

My wife created this list. It's a very long list, but if you print it out and use it a little at a time, it should be helpful. (And, if you have some ideas to add here, please use the email link to send them to me. Thanks.)

Outside
___ Are your house numbers visible?
___ Is the lawn green and neatly cut?
___ Are lawn borders trimmed? 
___ Are trees and bushes trimmed?
___ Have you planted some flowers?
___ Are paths and walkways clear of leaves, toys, and other stuff?
___ Are trash cans hidden behind a fence or wall?
___ Are yards free of pet poop?
___ Is the exterior paint in good condition? is it a tasteful color?
___ including all the trim and doors?
___ Are the windows clean? not broken or cracked?
___ Are the screens clean and in good repair?
___ Is the pool or spa clean and filled with fresh water?
___ Are the tiles clean, and not missing, loose or cracked? 
___ Are garden hoses neatly coiled and out of the way?
___ Do the sprinklers all work properly?
___ Are garage door springs working? Does the opener work?
___ Is the driveway clean? no oil or rust stains? 
___ Are driveway and sidewalk holes and cracks repaired?
___ Are fences in good repair?
___ Is the roof in good repair?
___ Are rain gutters in good repair and free of leaves and dirt?
___ Is the chimney in good repair? does it have a screen on it?
___ Do gates open and close easily and their latches work?
___ Is the patio neat and inviting? Is there a chair in the shade?
___ Is the patio cover in good shape?

Inside
General
___ Is your home clean and neat?
___ Does it smell fresh and clean?
___ Are walls washed or freshly painted?
___ Is the wood work clean? Especially around light switches?
___ Are carpets clean? and free of tears or holes?
___ Do windows and doors open and close easily and latch firmly?
___ Do all doorknobs and latches work properly?
___ Do all sliding doors and screens slide smoothly and latch firmly?
___ Are all electrical outlets working? 
___ Are their covers clean? not chipped or broken?
___ Are smoke detectors, door bells, and intercoms all working?
___ Are entries, hallways and stairs well lit and free from clutter?
___ Do all steps or stairways have railings that are firm and easy to grasp?
___ no broken or weak steps?

Bathrooms
___ Are there clean towels neatly hung?
___ Are the mirrors, basins, toilets, showers, and tubs clean and shiny?
___ Are items in the cabinets and drawers organized neatly?
___ Are the counters tidy, without too many items on them?
___ Are the floors clean and throw rugs flat?
___ Is the paint in good condition, not bubbled or cracked from moisture?
___ even the ceiling?
___ Are shower doors and curtains free of mildew and water deposits?
___ Is the tile grout clean? no holes or gaps?
___ Do toilets flush easily and shut off properly?
___ Do faucets turn easily and close completely?
___ Are all faucets and pipes free from leaks?
___ Is the water pressure good?
___ Are the light fixtures clean?
___ Do lights, fans, and heaters work?
___ Are fans quiet?

Kitchen
___ Are walls, counters, sinks, cupboards, shelves, window sills, and appliances clean and shiny? 
___ No water stains or fingerprints?
___ Do windows open and close easily?
___ Are appliances clean on the inside?
___ Are appliance knobs, handles, and controls clean?
___ Do the lights in the oven, refrigerator, and over the stove work?
___ Do fans work? quietly?
___ Is the garbage disposal empty and free from odors?
___ Are floors clean and free of wax build-up? even along the edges and in corners?
___ Are throw rugs flat?
___ Are the instruction books for the stove, refrigerator, microwave, oven, dishwasher, and other appliances readily available?
___ Are items in the cupboards, pantry, and drawers organized neatly?
___ Are the counters tidy, with just a few items on view? Are those things clean and neat?
___ Do the drawers slide out easily?
___ Is the breadboard smooth and clean? (If not, sand it smooth or replace it.)
___ Does the refrigerator smell fresh? Does it have an open box of baking soda in it?
___ Is the screen over the stove fan clean and free of grease or smoke buildup?
___ Are curtains or blinds clean and fresh?
___ Is shelf and drawer paper clean or recently replaced?

Laundry
___ Are all faucets in good repair? no leaks? no stains on walls or floors from previous leaks?
___ Are vents clear of dryer lint?
___ Are the washer and dryer clean, inside and out?
___ Is the utility tub or sink clean and counters tidy?
___ Is the paint clean? Free from bubbles or cracks from moisture?
___ Is the fan working? quietly?
___ Is the area neat? free of dirty clothes and messy cleaning supplies?

Bedrooms and Other Rooms
___ Are walls, ceilings, floors, and woodwork clean?
___ Are closets neat and not too crowded.
___ Do closets smell clean and fresh?
___ Do all knobs, handles, latches, lights work? nothing loose or missing?
___ Are curtains, drapes, blinds, and shutters all clean and in good working order?
___ Are the fireplaces clean? Do the vents work properly? Do gas logs work? Is the mantle neat?

Other
___ Are cat boxes, bird cages, hamster habitats, fish bowls/aquariums, and other pet areas clean and free of odors?
___ Do the heaters, furnace, coolers, air conditioning, and/or solar systems all work? including the thermostat(s), timers, and switches? are their fans relatively quiet?
___ Is the water heater working properly? no leaks?
___ Is the water heater properly strapped?
___ Are the water, electric, and gas meters washed off and easy to read?
___ Is your garage clean and well lit? no paint cans around? no big oil spills in the middle? no cluttered work bench? no spider webs or pill bugs built up in the corners? the storage shelves tidy and the cupboards clean? The light fixture bright?

More...

• Homes show their best when they are bright and uncluttered. Relatively inexpensive cosmetic touch-ups can help a lot. Here are a few hints...
• Painting your walls white or a very light color can help. So can replacing old drapes or curtains.
• Replacing a shower curtain with a clear one can help a bathroom seem larger.
• There's special paint for appliances now, so you can change their colors from outdated avocado, gold, or other colors once so prized.
• Some wallpaper patterns announce their age; consider stripping it and painting the walls instead.
• Check the strength of your lightbulbs, especially in bathrooms and in the kitchen, to make sure these rooms are bright. Replace light covers and lamp shades that have darkened with age.
• Some people drive by a house in the evening or after dark. Turning on a porchlight, walkway lights, or even a spotlight on a favorite tree for a few hours, can make your home look particularly appealing.

Dear Visitors, I'm working on another checklist now, one to help you consider adding or changing various features to make your home more safety-sure for young children and disabled or older residents.If you have any suggestions, please email them to me! Thanks, Jerry. 
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