Home Preparation Checklist
To get the maximum return on your home, you need to make it look it's best. My checklist will help.
There are many things to do as you prepare your home for sale, but one of the most important is to have it sparkling clean both inside and out. A home that looks well cared for and well maintained leaves a strong
impression on buyers, suggesting that the things they cannot see are as well cared for as those they can.
Inside Your Home
Floor Coverings
- Dirt or stains?
- Excessive wear or damage?
- Area rugs clean and stain-free?
Walls and Ceilings
- Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?
- Nail cracks or tape residue?
- Cracks, chips, water damage?
- Need for repainting or new wallpaper?
- Neutral, light colours for a roomy environment?
Doors
- Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?
- Need new paint?
- Open/close easily without squeaks?
- Latches/handles secure and working properly?
Windows
- Glass sparkling clean; chip, paint and crack free?
- Open/close easily?
- Latches/handles/locks secure, working properly?
- Dirt and fingerprints on frames or sills?
- Screens clean and without holes?
- Storm windows in good condition?
Window Coverings (curtains, drapes, blinds, etc.)
- Dirt or stains?
- Excessive wear or sun damage?
- Open/close easily; hardware working properly?
Lighting (lighting makes a room feel more inviting)
- All bulbs working and proper wattage?
- Broken switches, exposed wiring?
- Table and floor lamps working properly?
Pet Areas
- Clean, organized, odour-free?
Entryways and Hallways
- Clean and free of clutter or obstructions?
- Welcome mat(s) clean and inviting?
Closets and Storage Areas
- Clean and well organized?
- Clutter and excess junk removed?
- Clothes hung neatly and not jammed together?
- Shoes and boots neatly stored/stacked?
Kitchen
- Every surface sparkling clean?
- Counter-tops organized, all but daily use appliances?
- Refrigerator spotless inside and out?
- Organized?
- Light bulbs working? (Buyers look!)
- Oven/stove-top clean?
- Sinks clean; faucets working properly and leak-free?
- Cupboards/pantry spotless, organized?
- Dishwasher clean?
Living Room/Dining Room/Bedrooms/Den/Study
- Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?
- Excess furniture removed for a roomier atmosphere?
- Remaining furniture clean and in good repair?
- Wood and other surfaces clean and polished?
- Bookshelves neat, organized and clutter-free?
- Children’s games/toys stored neatly?
- Fragile items removed and stored?
- Smaller valuables removed/locked away?
- Window coverings open for views and sunlight?
- Mirrors clean and in good repair?
- Fireplace clean, logs/kindling stacked neatly?
Bathrooms/Powder Room
- Every surface sparkling clean?
- Counter-tops organized, free of clutter? Fresh soap?
- Sinks spotlessly clean; faucets working properly?
- Tub and shower surfaces clean?
- Towels stain-free and hanging neatly?
- Shower curtain clean and in good repair?
- Toilet extra-clean and working properly?
- Closets organized and clutter-free?
- Medicine cabinet clean, “personal items” removed?
Basement/Furnace Room/Garage/Attic/Storeroom
- Clean and well organized?
- Clutter and excess “junk” removed?
- Remaining items stored/stacked neatly?
- Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?
Outside Your Home
Structures
- Exterior surfaces clean, in good condition?
- Front door exterior clean, inviting?
- Eavestroughs and downspouts clean, in good repair?
- Fences/decks in good repair, in good condition?
- Sidewalks and walkways in good repair?
- Driveway clean, in good repair?
Yard and Environment
- Driveways, sidewalks clear of snow, ice?
- Lawns mowed/edged regularly; large bare spots repaired?
- Leaves removed from lawns and flower beds?
- Trees pruned, hedges trimmed?
- Flower beds weeded and tidy; dead plants replaced?
- “Junk” and scrap removed?
- Lawn furniture clean, organized, good repair?
- Bicycles, children’s toys stored neatly, out of way?
- Firewood organized and neatly stacked?
- Yard free of “doggy deposits”?
