Clean,
Clean, Clean
Every room should be spotlessly clean,
dusted and uncluttered. Steam clean the carpets and wax the floors.
Wash the walls, windows and light fixtures. Tighten loose stair
railings and clean all woodwork. In the event that you feel a project
of this scale is better left to a professional, ask your real estate
agent to recommend a cleaning service.
Entryway
Use bright light bulbs throughout the
house. Fill the house with a pleasant aroma, go to any grocery store,
they have numerous varieties of scents.
Living Room
Replace the carpet if it's worn. It costs
money, but you may find that you will more than recoup that cost
when the home sells. Patch cracks and nail holes in the walls, and
repaint walls in neutral colors, such as white or ivory. Nail down
creaking boards and stair treads. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking
doors. Open all curtains, and replace them if they are getting old.
Add lamps and lighting if the house is dark. Set out fresh flowers.
Furniture
Rearrange or remove furniture to make
your rooms look more spacious. Too much furniture and too many knick-knacks
make rooms look cluttered and small. One or two decorative items
per surface are plenty, so pack the rest away.
Kitchen and Baths
Clear off counters, and clean all appliances
and fixtures. Scrub the floors and walls. Re-caulk tubs and showers.
Clean these rooms thoroughly, and be sure they smell fresh.
Closets
Take those things to Salvation Army that
you'll have to discard anyway when you move. Organize shelves and
straighten shoes. Be sure that sliding doors operate smoothly and
knobs on drawers are secure.
Utility Room
Dust and wash the washer, dryer and water
heater.
Light and Bright
Do everything you can to brighten the
interior. Replace wallpaper with white or off-white paint, and repaint
shabby or dark walls. Open the blinds, and replace broken windows
and window seals. Always maintain a comfortable temperature inside
the house, even if you are away for an extended period of time.
Exterior
Make a good first impression! Mow the
lawn, rake leaves, trim trees and shrubs that keep light out of
the house and remove dead plants. Replace broken or missing roof
shingles and straighten and clean the gutters and downspouts. Clean
all windows and mend torn screens. Painting your house helps improve
curb appeal more than any other fix-up! If you decide against painting
the entire house, consider painting the front door, window frames
and shutters. Seal or resurface the driveway and repair broken steps
and walkways. Paint or replace your mailbox and post.
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