Checklist: Getting Your Home Market Ready
The best thing you can do to help your home sell quickly and for more money is to get your property in top-notch condition before it sells. This is known as being market ready. Most home buyers do not want to buy a home that is going to take a lot of work to move in. Instead, they are looking for something that is move-in ready. This means cleaning up your home and making minor repairs before the house ever goes on the market. Here is a checklist of things you can do to get your home market ready.
Outside
- Your lawn should be in good shape, with no weeds or dead spots
- Keep it mowed throughout the selling process
- Edge driveways and sidewalks
- Sweep driveway and sidewalks throughout the selling process
- Trim trees and shrubs
- Remove dead limbs or bushes
- Clean outside furniture
- Touch up any exterior trim paint
- Paint your front door
- Add flowers for color
- Add a wreath to your front door
- Make your entryway inviting
- Make sure all exterior lighting is clean and functioning
- Paint the mailbox post and add a new mailbox
- Make house numbers visible
- Clean windows and screens
- Recaulk windows if needed
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Pressure wash siding and roof
Garage
- Remove storage items from the garage. If needed, get a storage unit instead.
- Clean walls and floors. Repaint if necessary.
- Add shelves and hooks to hang larger items
- Clean garage door and windows
- Make sure garage door is in good working order
Kitchen
- Remove items from the counter. Either put them away or store them in a storage unit.
- Clean all appliances, counters, and sink
- Fix leaky faucets.
- Replace damaged appliance knobs
- Add new hardware to your cabinets
- Clean tile grout
- Clean the floor
- Add a new backsplash
- Update kitchen cabinets with paint or stain
Bathrooms
- Clean mirrors and glass
- Scrub sinks, toilet, tub, and shower
- Clean all fixtures
- Clean tile grout
- Replace shower curtain
- Replace bathroom rug
- Add new towels
- Fix faucet leaks
- Recaulk if necessary
- Add luxury items like soaps, candles, and flowers
Closets
- Declutter closets. Store extra clothing, shoes, and other items in a storage unit if necessary.
- Organize clothes and shoes to look neat and orderly
- Space clothes so that closet feels larger
- Door and drawer tracks should move freely
Other Areas
- Paint walls in a neutral color
- Fix doors, windows, and cabinets as needed
- Professionally clean carpets and draperies
- Replace light bulbs as needed
- Clean fireplace, including any stains on the mantle
- Replace furnace filters
- Remove odors from the home
- Stage each room
If your home is clean and maintained, then it will sell faster. It takes a bit of time to get your home market ready but will be well worth your efforts.