Outside

• Mow the lawn, trim trees and shrubs away from house. You can't sell a house if you can't see it!

• Rake leaves, remove dead plants, flowers or shrubs.

• Put away tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys and building materials neatly in the garage.

• Check for broken roof shingles, straight lines on eavestrough, shutters, windows and siding.

• Clean windows and front door. If a purchaser can not see outside from inside, then you're in trouble.  Paint the front door if needed.

• Seal or resurface driveway.

• Clear patios or decks of planters, flower pots, charcoal and barbecues.

• In the front yard, dress up around shrubs and lamp posts with bark mulch, etc.

• Use bright light bulb in foyer light fixture

• Turn on all lights in home in the evening to welcome potential buyers.

• Fill the house with the pleasant aroma of cinnamon or other fresh scent.

• Spotlessly clean woodwork, carpeting and windows throughout the house.

• Clear window ledges of all objects to give a nice glimpse inside and out.

• Repaint walls if necessary, in neutral colour such as antique white.

Bathrooms

• Remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs and commode.

• Put as much away as possible and make each bathroom look like a "guest bath".

• Sink, commode, bathtub, tile and shower curtain should look immaculate, no soap film or hair.

• Fix leaky faucets, rust stains and faulty plumbing that may squeak or bind.

• Caulk and grout tile. Bleach discoloured grout.

• Replace or remove any wallpaper that isn't "conservative".

• Coordinate towels to one or two colours only.

• Place softer bulbs in bathroom fixtures and scented flower arrangement on vanity top.

Master Bedroom

• This is the second most important-to-be appealing room in a home (after the kitchen, before the family room and garage).

• Define area, sleeping, dressing and sitting, by furniture arrangement.

• Try to have bedroom look as simply furnished as possible.

• Be sure all clothes are hanging up, not laying out in room.

• Make closets more appealing by storing off-season clothes elsewhere. Go ahead and pack them up since you're moving away.

Children's Bedrooms

• Ask children and teenagers to help by thoroughly cleaning up their rooms, removing all posters, questionable photographs. Low lighting and clutter make bedrooms look smaller or darker than they are.

• Patch and paint walls if necessary.

• Open curtains.

Living Room

• Discard worn furniture and move extra to storage area. Too much furniture makes rooms look small.

• Clear away all magazines, books and unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house.

• Take down pictures that hide walls. Patch nail holes and paint.

• Open curtains. Add lamps and lighting if dark.

• Set out fresh flowers.

Kitchen

• Professionally clean oven and stove.

• Replace broken appliances and repair squeaks, drips or binds in cabinet drawers.

• Clean all appliances inside and out until they are spotless. Wax and polish floors.

• Discard old food and leftovers from refrigerator.

• Clean refrigerator front of messages, pictures and magnets.

• Clear all magazines, small appliances, and cookware from counter tops.

• If it hasn't been used for months... put it away!

Family Room

• Clean fireplace.

• Think about replacing carpet if it's a loud colour or really dirty. (you may get it back on closing).

• Remove all magazines, books, toys and worn furnishings that might influence a buyer's feeling about the room.

• Create an easy-going relaxed atmosphere in your family room. This is where most families spend their time, so make it look good.

Garage

• The perfect garage contains only cars. But if this is not possible, clean up, fix up, sell or toss out unneeded items. (This may be your only opportunity!)

• Clean and seal cement floor.

• Neatly stack tools and clean up work bench and tidy up storage shelf areas.

Basement

• A finished basement is great! Just follow same guidelines given for preparing the family room.

• If unfinished, make sure concrete floor is well swept and clean.

• Seal or paint concrete floors (battleship grey).

• Clean water heater, change filters and put strong light bulbs in fixtures.

Q: Should you remodel?

• While redecorating can make a home look more attractive, it is difficult to anticipate what a new buyer may be looking for in your home. It's best to simply prepare your home with a clean, uncluttered appearance.

• If anything, you may want to invest in some fresh paint. Paint can go a long way in enhancing the appeal of your home.

• If your home is in need of paint or carpeting, it's better to invest the money and buy it ahead of time. Rather than hope a buyer has a vivid imagination of what your home will look like without spots on the carpet and chipped paint on the walls, make it look its best when they see it. You only have one chance to make a good first impression!