SELLERS: Home Preparation Checklist

Inside Your Home

Floor Coverings (carpeting, tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.)

• Dirt or stains?
• Excessive wear or damage?
• Area rugs clean and stain-free?

Walls and Ceilings

• Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?
• Nail cracks or tape residue?
• Cracks, chips, water damage?
• Need for repainting or new wallpaper?
• Neutral, light colours for roomy environment?

Doors

• Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?
• Need new paint?
• Open/close easily without squeaks?
• Latches/handles secure and working properly?

Windows

• Glass sparkling clean; chip, paint and crack free?
• Open/close easily?
• Latches/handles/locks secure, working properly?
• Dirt and fingerprints on frames or sills?
• Screens clean and without holes?
• Storm windows in good condition?

Window Coverings (curtains, drapes, blinds, etc.)

• Dirt or stains?
• Excessive wear or sun damage?
• Open/close easily; hardware working properly?

Lighting (lighting makes a room feel more inviting)

• All bulbs working and proper wattage?
• Broken switches, exposed wiring?
• Table and floor lamps working properly?

Pet Areas

• Clean, organized, odour-free?

Entryways and Hallways

• Clean and free of clutter or obstructions?
• Welcome mat(s) clean and inviting?

Closets and Storage Areas

• Clean and well organized?
• Clutter and excess junk removed?
• Clothes hung neatly and not jammed together?
• Shoes and boots neatly stored/stacked?

Kitchen

• Every surface sparkling clean?
• Counter-tops organized, all but daily use appliances?
• Refrigerator spotless inside and out?
• Organized? Spoiled food discarded?
• Frost removed? Light bulbs working? (Buyers look!)
• Oven/stove-top clean? Burner trays cleaned?
• Sinks clean; faucets working properly and leak-free?
• Garbage disposal in good working condition?
• Cupboards/pantry spotless, organized?
• Dishwasher clean and stain-free?

Living Room/Dining Room/Bedrooms/Den/Study

• Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?
• Excess furniture removed for roomier atmosphere?
• Remaining furniture clean and in good repair?
• Wood and other surfaces clean and polished?
• Bookshelves neat, organized and clutter-free?
• Children’s games/toys stored neatly?
• Fragile items removed and stored?
• Smaller valuables removed/locked away?
• Window coverings open for views and sunlight?
• Mirrors clean and in good repair?
• Ashtrays cleaned and kept out of sight?
• Fireplace clean, logs/kindling stacked neatly?

Bathrooms/Powder Room

• Every surface sparkling clean?
• Counter-tops organized, free of clutter? Fresh soap?
• Sinks spotlessly clean; faucets working properly?
• Tub and shower surfaces clean?
• Towels stain-free and hanging neatly?
• Shower curtain clean and in good repair?
• Toilet extra-clean and working properly?
• Closets organized and clutter-free?
• Medicine cabinet clean, “personal items” removed?

Basement/Furnace Room/Garage/Attic/Storeroom

• Clean and well organized?
• Clutter and excess “junk” removed?
• Remaining items stored/stacked neatly?
• Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?

Outside Your Home

Structures

• Exterior surfaces clean, in good condition?
• Front door exterior clean, inviting?
• Eaves troughs and downspouts clean, in good repair?
• Gates open/close properly; hardware working?
• Fences/decks in good repair, in good condition?
• Sidewalks and walkways in good repair?
• Driveway clean, in good repair?

Yard and Environment

• Driveways, sidewalks clear of snow, ice?
• Lawns mowed/edged regularly; large bare spots repaired?
• Leaves removed from lawns and flower beds?
• Trees pruned, hedges trimmed?
• Flower beds weeded and tidy; dead plants replaced?
• “Junk” and scrap removed?
• Lawn furniture clean, organized, good repair?
• Bicycles, children’s toys stored neatly, out of way?
• Firewood organized and neatly stacked?
• Yard free of “doggy deposits”?