Maintenance:

Make sure your front and back door are inviting and in good working order. Look for chipped paint, cracked windowpanes, and damaged wood. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the appearance of your home.

Clean out your gutters and drains. Make sure that they are clear of debris and in good working order.

Power-wash outdoor siding if it has developed any signs of mildew or staining.

Tidy up your garage and make room to park your cars inside if possible. Remove and oil stains from the garage floor and driveway for a well maintained appearance.

Clutter:

Once your home is on the market, it is for all practical purposes, no longer your own. It is important to depersonalize your space so prospective buyers can picture themselves in the home and not be distracted by your belongings.

Pack up personal photo frames, trophies, knick-knacks, books and your personal decorations like children’s artwork and team posters. The goal is to strike a balance of inviting and uncluttered. If you wouldn’t find it in a model home, go ahead and pack it up.

Remember that less is more. Get rid of extra magazines, candles, refrigerator magnets, blankets thrown over the couch, and any other items that are temporary decorations.

Floors:

Consider having carpets professionally cleaned before putting your home on the market. Make sure to keep off freshly cleaned rugs for at least four hours. You can maintain your carpet’s appearance by vacuuming at least once a week. You should consider vacuuming high traffic areas like hallways and main walkways twice a week.

Clean up stains on carpet as soon as possible. Make sure not to rub liquid spills as this just spreads the stain. Blot after treating with a cleaning agent for best results.

Get a black light to inspect for pet stains. Animal urine will glow under the light and help you identify areas that need stain removal. Use an enzyme cleaner to remove stubborn animal odors.

Painting:

Freshen up paint on walls and ceilings to help lighten and brighten your home. A general rule of thumb, if it has been 7 years since you have painted, it’s time for a touch-up coat.

Take a look around your home and remove any "customized" wall treatments, including, children’s murals, wallpaper borders, and bright and bold colors. Neutrals, like tan, sage, or eggshell, make it easier for buyers to their belongings in the space.

Make sure to use the right type of paint for the right application. Flat paint is tougher to clean and is more appropriate for bedrooms, living and dining areas. Use an enamel semi-gloss, satin or high-gloss paint for high traffic areas that require regular cleaning like hallways, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Lighting:

Make sure that your home is well lit inside and out when showing it to prospective buyers. Don’t forget the driveway, back door, and attic lights as well. Check that all light bulbs are working and replaced with the appropriate wattage for the room.

Place lamps in the corners of small rooms as it helps to open up the space and make it appear larger. Lights pointed towards the ceiling, "up-lights", help illuminate architectural features like crown molding or arched windows and doors.

Don’t forget to clean chandeliers and light fixtures. Take time to remove all bugs, dirt, and fingerprints.

Lawn Care:

To keep your lawn looking healthy, be careful to mulch grass you cut when mowing. Mowing too short leaves lawns prone to such things as disease, moisture loss, and weed invasion.

Show off a neat and well-manicured yard by keeping your trees and shrubs trimmed. Make sure to keep all pathways clear and easy to navigate.

If you have pets, pick up any pet waste in your yard before your home is shown. Families with children will be able to "test out" the yard without any worries.

Curb Appeal:

Improve the outside appearance of your home by putting away unused lawn furniture and yard equipment like rakes, sprinklers, and outdoor toys.

Make sure your flowerbeds are clear of any dead flowers or shrubs. A clean, empty flowerbed that is ready to plant is more attractive than a poorly maintained or overgrown one.

Check out details like your house numbers, mailbox, and front entrance. Take the necessary steps to make sure your mailbox is clean and undamaged and your house numbers are clear and easy to read. Your entrance should be clear of clutter, well lit and free of cobwebs and debris.

Security:

Remove valuables from easy view when preparing your home to sell. Invest in a safe to keep passports, jewelry, cameras, small electronics, and valuable personal items locked up. Remember, potential buyers may be opening up drawers and closets while viewing your property.

Keep pathways to and from the house clear. Don’t give anyone a place to hide when approaching your home. Trim trees and shrubs that are near to deter criminal activity.

Some potential buyers like to check out homes when no one is home, peeking through the windows and trying to open doors. So keep your doors (including the garage door) and windows locked while your home is on the market.

Cleaning:

Don’t forget to keep your showers and bathtub areas clean. Remove and replace old shower curtain liners, spot treat mildew stains on tile and grout, and invest in an every-use shower cleaner to keep the area spotless while your home is on the market.

Pay attention to the often overlooked and hard-to-reach spots including window treatments, ceiling fans, cobwebs in the corners, behind the refrigerator, and your attic entrance areas. These are all places that will get inspected by a potential homeowner, so be prepared!

Choose an area of your home to concentrate on each day. For example, vacuum and sweep on Mondays and Thursdays, dust on Tuesdays, etc. Creating a schedule will keep you on top of those household chores, simplifying your workload, and preventing your house from getting out of control.

Windows:

Take down any drapes or curtains that are not being sold with the house. It will make each room seem larger, and it will help the prospective buyers visualize their personal style instead of yours.

Make the most of natural light on your property. Open blinds and shutters when showing your house. Don’t forget to dust the blinds and clean the windows, inside and out!

Replace any damaged, torn or bent window screens.

Inspect doors and windows to make sure that they are sealing and closing properly. Check the weather stripping around windows to ensure there are no leaks. Invest in repairs, as this will help the energy efficiency of your home.

Plumbing:

Check all sinks for drips or leaks. Invest in repairing these – they are easy to detect during an inspection. Remember, a well maintained home shows much better than a fixer-upper!

Clean out your bathroom sink and shower drains. Clogs usually occur from a combination of soap and hair, so invest in a hair catcher that goes over your shower drain.

Make sure your garbage disposal is in good working order. Never pour grease or coffee grounds down your disposal as they can cause clogs by trapping food.

If you have a toilet that keeps running, it’s often a simple fix. Check to make sure the chain is not caught on the tank stopper, inspect the float mechanism for leaks and look for build-up along the valve seat and stopper.

Atmosphere:

Smell is a powerful motivator when it comes to making a decision – so use it to your advantage. Keep pre-made cookie dough handy so you can whip up a batch of cookies before a showing. Your house will be filled with the sweet aroma. Who can resist the smell of chocolate-chip cookies?

Place fresh flowers in your dining room or foyer to make a fabulous first impression. Stick to classics like roses or lilies – not only do they look good but they smell good to!

Place large mirrors in smaller rooms to make the room feel more spacious. Plus, buyers actually "see themselves" in the room, a powerful suggestive technique.

Consider using a scented air conditioner filter (available at grocery and hardware stores) in a natural scent like pine or sandalwood to eliminate everyday odors.