Key Items Before Listing Your House

Preparation Checklist for Listing Your House

• Launder curtains
• Interior Doors
• Deep clean bathrooms and kitchen
• Wash walls
• Wash baseboards (I love using a magic eraser for this)
• Launder all sheets and bed linens
• Dust art and shelving
• Wash range hood
• Wash Fridge and Freezer inside and out
• Wash Window Ledges
• Dust all lighting
• Have carpets professionally cleaned
• Dust and wash all vent covers and air returns
• Wash all windows inside and out (this kit is great for outdoors)—you’ll be amazed at how much brighter your whole house looks.
• Wash down kitchen cabinets
• Doorknobs
• Switch plates (these tend to gather fingerprints)

• Make sure all bulbs work and replace them where needed—they should all be the same color (I like 3000 Kelvin. Anything cooler can feel sterile).
• Replace Air filters (this will significantly cut down on the dust in your house, too).
• Remove large family portraits on the walls. (Smaller photos are usually fine). You can leave the wall bare or replace it with a mirror or other wall décor).
• If there’s a dark corner or long hall, a mirror hung will help bounce light around and make the area feel larger.
• Lamps will help a room feel cozier! Before a showing, turn on EVERY light and lamp in the house.

• Bookcases so there’s breathing room. Eliminate small knick-knacks and focus on larger décor pieces and books.
• Clothes Closets. Remove clothing that no longer fits, you longer love, or are worn out, and donate. If closets still look overstuffed, pack away seasonal clothes in storage bins so closets appear more spacious.
• Organize and declutter pantry and fridge/freezer. Toss old food.
• Coat Closet. Weed out unnecessary items. Donate outerwear and bags to make the closet appear more spacious.
• Declutter storage areas and closets. Just because you can (and do) pack it full, potential buyers will want to see how much space is available. If it’s a storage area with shelves, be sure there is nothing left on the floor (that could signify there’s not enough shelf space. If it’s an open closet (like under the stairs)—shoot for half-empty.
• Furnace room. Linen Closet.
• Declutter Playroom. Pack away large toys that are normally left out. Bag up stuffed animals and any toys that do not fit into a designated toy closet or storage system. This is a great time to purge toys.
• Declutter surfaces. Counters. Dressers. Minimal is best.
• All Floor space—No excessive baskets, toys, books, hampers, or clutter.

• If there are any cracks in the baseboards, re-caulk and touch up paint (fresh baseboards will make everything look cleaner).
• Remove any spare nails/screws in walls, patch and paint
• Re-caulk countertops as needed.
• Caulk built-in cabinetry (if needed).
• Touch up interior doors.
• Touch up ceiling paint.
• Give your bathroom sinks and bathtub fresh caulk.
• If the wood under your sinks has stains, paint them.

• Clean out window wells.
• Wash windows and screens.
• Pressure wash deck/patio.
• Pressure wash garage.
• Lay a fresh doormat.
• Weed garden beds.
• Lay fresh mulch in garden beds.
• Fresh flowers for planters.