Home Readiness Checklist
Preparing your home for showings is much more than preparing it for family and friends. It’s about showing your home in it’s best light because you want someone to buy it. Things that you have been willing to live with or that you love about your home may not appeal to the buyers coming to view your home, so it’s best to prepare your home to shine like the gem it is and let the buyer that loves it see it in its true form.
To do that you need to make the proper preparations. I’ve prepared the home readiness checklist below to get you started.
Unclutter
- Closets- Remove empty hangers and clear the floors. Organise all items on shelves.
- Countertops- Kitchen and bathroom countertops should be free of all clutter and items should be neatly stored in cabinets and drawers.
- Mantles and hearths. Some decor is fine but do not have them full.
Clean
- Light fixtures
- Heating vents
- Appliances
- Windows and blinds
- Counters and floors
- Carpets and area rugs
- Utility areas such as furnace, water heater, etc
- Odors- pets, cooking, smoking, all can leave strong odors that will turn off a buyer. Consider what you can do to eliminate these odors. Your kitchen trash can is another place that hides odors and we recommend placing in the garage or outside for showings.
Repair
- Cracked driveways or sidewalks
- Retaining walls
- Chipped or peeling paint
- Caulking in kitchens and bathrooms
- Rust or corrosion or any mold or water damage
- Screens in doors or windows
- Clean or pressure wash decks and siding
- Clean gutters and downspouts and repair any leaks
- Door knobs and closet doors
- Faucets, sinks, and toilet seats
Neutralize
- Paint- return to light, neutral colors
- Carpet- replace if it is discolored or stained and reveal those hardwood floors if they have been hidden underneath!
- Decorate with color and keep the main features of your home neutral
Stage
- Add flowers
- Set the dining room table/ kitchen table/ breakfast bar
- Create a romantic bathtub with candles/ champagne
- Display colorful towels/ small floor rugs
- Make a bedroom cozy with pollows/ breakfast tray/ books
- Angle beds and furniture
- Remove all large area rugs
- Add fresh mulch and outside plants and appropriate decor
- Dress up the mailbox with new numbers
- Organize toys in bins
- Have the fireplace burning
- Play soothing music that floats through the house
- Have the me smell nice with fresh baked cookies
- Set out bottles of water with a note thanking visitors for visiting your home
- Turn all the lights on regardless of the time of day
- Arrange patio and deck furniture
Last Minute Check List
- Go through every room and make sure it looks good
- Double-check all lights are on, that food is out, and music is on
- Remove pets and pet products
- Remove garbage can to outside
- Set a comfortable temperature on the thermostat
- Leave the home