• Main entrance should be flawless
• Clean and paint exterior where needed
• Landscaping manicured
• Pressure wash driveway, masonry and fence
• Clean and replace and broken windows
• If needed, paint front door, make sure hardware works properly and seals correctly
• Fence and gate function properly
• Storage areas should be well organized

Inside entire house

• Don’t leave anything of value lying around
• If there is anything that is sensitive to the touch and could fall apart if someone touches it, put it in closet
• Family photos should not be the center of attention. Limit to one or two per room
• Remove clutter throughout the house.
• Closets should be clear of clutter (Expect a buyer to open every door in the house)
• Neutral and light colors
• Clutter free and light colors opens up the room and makes it look bigger
• Walls and floors should be clean (including grout from tile)
• Furniture is staged to give the open feeling and not blocking passageways/closets
• Temperature should be at a comfortable setting for the average person. (Usually around 75°)
• Interior lights should be on
• Interior doors are open
• Windows and window sills should be clean
• Make sure blinds and drapes are clean
• Furniture is dust free throughout
• Air fresheners are a big plus. Potpourri from Bed Bath and Beyond will go a long way
• Open blinds and curtains for natural light to come in (except when what’s outside the window is nothing to be desired)

Kitchen

• Countertops should be sparkling clean and free of clutter (it is ok to leave a few items, but in good taste)
• Remove personal items, magnets, sticky notes, etc. from refrigerator
• No dirty dishes left in sink
• Appliances should be spotless
• Backsplash and cabinets should be free of grease spots

Bedrooms

• Most buyers look at the size of the room and not so much what is in it.
• Should be neat, clean and clutter free
• Make all beds and make sure nothing is out of place

Bathrooms

• Toilets are spotless
• Mirrors are spotless
• Don’t want to give the impression that the bathroom needs work. Clean and replace anything that needs replacing.
• A couple hundred dollars on fixtures in bathrooms makes a big difference

Time to show

• Every room should be accessible
• Give the buyer as much time as he/she/they need to look at the house
• Leave the house and return after the buyer has left the property
• If you can help it, don’t leave pets in the house

Garage

• Well organized and clutter free
• Trash cans should be cleaned inside and outside
• Touch up paint available for your buyer

Thank you to the buyer

You can leave some freshly baked cookies and some bottled water for the potential buyer with a note:
Welcome to your new home! We are confident you will love it as much as we have (something to that effect)