Are you ready to put your home on the market, but not sure what needs to be done to get it in shape? Here’s a quick checklist.
1. If you want buyers to flock into your home, make sure the front entrance is bright and welcoming. A fresh coat of paint here will make a great first impression.
2. Next up is the entrance hall, where people get their initial glimpse of the interior. At the very least, clean every surface and touch up areas where the paint shows marks or nicks. Better yet: put on a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint throughout.
3. Bathrooms and kitchens get special scrutiny from prospective buyers, so give extra attention to these rooms. Thin out the contents of the cupboards to give a better idea of space, put down new liners and wipe all surfaces. Add fluffy towels, new soaps and a healthy pot plant to suggest a note of luxury.
4. Size can matter when it comes to the kitchen. If you want to make yours look bigger, paint it white or off-white. At the very least, remove food stains from the walls and treat water spots by applying a coat of primer followed by some touchup paint.
5. Check out all windows and windowsills, especially if your view is special. Buyers will likely spend time gazing out, so don’t spoil the moment. Keep the windows clean and sand, prime, and paint sills as needed.
6. Check the woodwork and quickly touch up chipped or marred paint on chair rails and floor moulding as necessary.
7. Inspect areas that come in frequent contact with soiled hands – especially window frames, door frames, edges of doors, and walls around light switches. If the areas are dirty, you might be able to clean them; if that doesn’t work, do touchup painting.
8. Same approach with cabinet doors: scrub clean of fingerprints, if possible, or touch up painted areas. Pay special attention to the kitchen, which should be spotless.
9. Water stains on the ceiling from old roof leaks are a huge red flag for prospective buyers. After making certain that your roof is sound, be sure to prime and re-paint these potential ‘deal-breakers’.
10. Put the finishing touches on your home by scrutinising every remaining wall and painted surface, looking for stray flecks of paint, as well marks and stains from whatever source. Conceal them with some touchup paint, and your home will be good to go. . .and show!
