c

PAINTING—At the top of the list for creating good
impressions. Inspect interior walls as well as the
exterior including trim, gutters, downspouts, mailbox,
etc.

c

YARD—In addition to proper cutting and edging of the
lawn, trim landscaping and weed flower beds. Also
check for dead branches in trees and shrubbery debris.
Store all outdoor lawn equipment and toys.

c

SPRINKLER SYSTEM—Check for defective heads and for
proper water coverage over entire lawn.

c

FENCE—Repair where necessary and paint or stain if
needed to give your yard that well-maintained
appearance.

c

GARAGE—Check garage doors and opener to see if they
are in good working order. Inspect doors for painting or
staining. Remove and reorganize garage items.

c

DRIVEWAY—Check for grease and oil spots. When
showing the property, it’s best not to have vehicles
parked in the driveway.

c

PATIO—Clean patio and arrange outdoor furniture.

c

POOL—Have pool sparking clean. Store equipment and
chemicals out of the way.

c

ROOF—Check for loose shingles or broken tiles.
Make sure eaves are cleared of leaves. If mildew has
occurred, consider professional cleaning.

c

FRONT ENTRANCE—Front door should be clean and all
trim painted or stained. Check doorbell and outside light
to see if they are operating properly.

c

AIR-CONDITIONING—Certainly, the air-conditioning
system must be functioning at top performance, but
also check for proper draining, install a new filter, and
clean exterior unit.

c

WALLS—When checking for cleaning and possible
painting of interior walls, look closely at wallpaper for
repair or replacement, if needed.

c

DOORS—All interior and exterior doors should be
cleaned, hardware tightened and oiled for smooth
opening and closing.

c

CARPETING AND TILE—Steam cleaning is the best
answer for most carpets. While it’s a hassle to
rearrange furniture and be disrupted, this is one item
that can’t wait until after the sale. Also, repair or
replace damaged tile.

c

WINDOWS—Repair or replace all broken windows or
screens. All windows must be cleaned to show the
home at its best. Check blinds and draperies for
cleanliness.

c

ELECTRICAL—Repair all switches and outlets that are
not working. Good lighting through adequate wattage in
garage, hallways, and closets will brighten up your
home.

c

PLUMBING—Leaking faucets always raise questions
about plumbing. Clean stains from stainless steel sinks
and check enamel for repair.

c

APPLIANCES—All appliances should be in good working
order and CLEAN. In particular, oven and stove top,
refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave.

c

KITCHEN—A bright, cheerful kitchen is a must. Clean all
surfaces, check for loose knobs or sticky drawers, clean
exhaust hood and organize drawers and cabinets.

c

BATHROOMS—Clean mirrors, shower doors, curtains,
tub caulking, and flooring. Just when you decide to clean
the bathroom "later" is when the prospective buyer
rings your doorbell.