An attractive and sparkling home can make a huge difference on the market time and the sales price to obtain. The following checklist covers those items that influence a buyer’s decision to buy a home and what they are willing to pay for it:

First Impression – Interior

• Perk up the interior by touching up the paint or repainting where necessary.
• Clean up clutter in closets and anything on the floor.
• Clean things off the counter and make them look spacious. Keep the sink, appliances and floors sparkling. Keep the cupboards and pantry organized.
• Make all bathrooms sparkle—including counters, sinks, tub and showers.
• Fix all leaky faucets and any cracked grout where necessary.
• Wash all windows and keep all window coverings clean.
• Organize all closets to make them look roomier.
• Use a welcome mat to make sure the buyers keep your floors clean.
• Eliminate any odors that may be offensive to the prospective buyers.
• Add special accents that will make your home more cheerful and inviting.
• Fresh baked cookies always help, along with occasional fresh flowers.
• Remember to keep pets out of the home while it is being shown.

First Impression—Exterior

• Keep the yard well-manicured and the flower beds free of weeds. Plant a few flowers for a colorful accent. Prune or trim any shrubs or trees that may need to be done.
• Keep the entryway free of any cluttering items.
• Brighten the exterior by repainting areas where necessary and cleaning where needed.
• Remove any bad stains on the driveway or sidewalks.
• Pick up any pet droppings wherever possible .
• Tidy up the garage and consider renting a storage space if necessary.
• Don’t have too many cars in the driveway or against the curb.
• Keep the patio area free of clutter and keep the slab clean.

Extra Efforts

• If possible, take your pets for a stroll while the home is being shown.
• Turn off the television and any loud stereo noise while the buyers are there.
• Try to remove any items that you intend to reserve.
• Make sure the lights are on and the windows coverings are open.
• If possible, avoid having too many people around the home while a buyer is there.
• Allow the Realtor to show and sell the home for you.

All this may seem overwhelming, but if only a portion of these items are done, your home should sell faster and may help in obtaining a higher price.