1. PREPARING YOUR HOME
When selling your home, it is important to make a good first impression. Use the general guidelines
below and the Checklists on the following pages to ensure that your home is seen at its very best. The
time you spend preparing your home will be well worth your effort and could ultimately help you get a
better price, a quicker sale, or both.
• Check the outside of your home for signs of wear and tear; peeling paint, loose shingles, hanging
gutters, cracked foundation, holes in driveway; fix what’s needed without spending too much.
• Cut the lawn, trim shrubs and rake the leaves from the yard.
• Remove debris from gutters.
• Make sure the front walk way is easy to access; remove leaves, snow, etc.
• Ensure the entry way, stairs, and hallways are not blocked with shoes, bags or other articles of
clothing.
• Repair and paint any walls, doors or casings that have marks or scuffs on them; always try and
keep colors neutral; polish door knobs that are worn or faded.
• Organize closets so they appear neat and tidy; store clothes that are out of season.
• Make repairs to such things as leaky faucets, running toilets, etc.
• Store kitchen appliances out of sight; make sure they are cleaned before storing.
• Brighten up your rooms by switching to higher wattage light bulbs.
• Clear out all of the clutter from your home and garage; if you don’t use it regularly, store it or
throw it out.
• Air out your home to eliminate odors from carpets and drapes; light candles to fill the home
with fresh aromas.
• Remove personal items that may distract visitors from focusing on the home.
SELF INSPECTION CHECKLIST – OUTSIDE
Home Exterior
• Check all doors (house and garage), window frames and exterior trim for peeling paint; repaint
or touch up as needed
• Clear eaves troughs and gutters from debris
• Ensure roof and shingles are in good repair
• Make sure deck boards are in good condition
• Clean the outside of all windows
• Check all exterior plugs and water taps to make sure they are working
Yard / Driveway
• Mow the lawn; rake the leaves
• Keep garden, flowers well pruned
• Put away children’s toys, bikes, etc.
• Clean up after pets

2. PREPARING YOUR HOME
• Pick up any garbage lying around the yard
• Make sure trash area is neat and organized
• Repair driveway/walkways of spots and blemishes
• Sweep walkways/driveway clear of dirt, twigs and grass
• Ensure walkways, steps, and decks are free of obstacles, snow, etc.
• Remove any unnecessary or extra lawn ornaments or furniture
SELF INSPECTION CHECKLIST – INSIDE
General Checklist
• Ensure baseboards are clean and not faded; touch up with paint if necessary
• Remove any cobwebs found throughout the house; check corners and doorways to infrequently
used rooms
• Repair any holes in the wall from wall hangings such as mirrors, pictures or ornaments
• Check all plumbing for leaks
• Replace or remove old, faded or ripped wall paper
• Make sure all door handles/hinges and window latches work properly
• Check all window/door screens to make sure they are in good condition
• Repair any visible wiring
Entry / Stairs / Hallways
• Clear area of clutter: shoes, coats, bags, briefcases, etc.
• Remove excess furniture such as coat racks, benches, book shelves, etc.
• Vacuum or sweep floors
• Keep area well lit
• Clean windows, mirrors and picture frames
• Repair any wall or door blemishes; paint chipping, marks, scuffs, etc.
• Fix any wear and tear spots in the flooring
Kitchen / Bathrooms
• Clean and store appliances in cupboards
• Wipe down counters and cupboards
• Organize cupboards
• Remove rust stains from sinks
• Make sure counter tops are free of clutter
• Ensure toilets and shower stalls are spotless
• Mop/scrub floors
• Lay out fresh towels, table cloths and curtains
• Make sure garbage cans are out of the way

3. PREPARING YOUR HOME
Living Room / Family Room / TV Room
• Dust lamps and furniture
• Vacuum, mop and/or sweep floors
• Clean all furniture in these rooms; make sure furniture is in good condition
• Make sure all light bulbs are working
• Put CDs, DVDs and video tapes away
• Put kids’ toys away
• Ensure all bookshelves, entertainment systems and TV stands are free of dirt, dust and
fingerprints
• Make sure plants are watered and in good shape; add new plants if necessary
• Clean all windows; make sure they open/close properly
• Ensure fireplace is clean and in working condition
• Store books, magazines and TV guides
• Find a place for all the remote controls
• Remove clutter of excess picture frames, ornaments, knick-knacks and furniture
• Rearrange furniture to maximize space and create spacious feeling
Bedrooms
• Make sure beds are neatly made
• Ensure dirty laundry is in a laundry basket out of the way; cover laundry basket
• Clothes and footwear are put away neatly in the closet
• Closet is neatly organized
• Floor is swept, mopped or vacuumed
• Personal items are removed from the top of the dresser
• Clean all windows; ensure they open/close properly
• Dust all dresser tops
• Clean all mirrors
• Put kids’ toys away
Garage / Basement / Storage
• Free of clutter
• Well lit
• Shelves clean and tidy
• Boxes / storage units piled neatly
• Floor is swept or vacuumed
• Garbage is out of the way
• Repair any blemishes/cracks/peeling on floor, wall, windows, etc.
• Make sure utility room and equipment (furnace, air exchanger, humidifier, water heater, etc)
are easy to access