75-Point Checklist for Photography and Showings

Your goal should be to present your home at its best! A clean, spacious, clutter-free home is the kind of home that a buyer would like to buy! Photographs and first impressions could possibly make or break the sale of your home, so we’ve created a checklist to help you prepare your home:

Curb Appeal:

1. Mow lawn and trim shrubs
2. Edge gardens and walkways
3. Remove all cars from driveway
4. Hide garbage cans inside garage
5. Sweep walkways and driveways, remove branches, litter, and toys
6. Add color and fill bare spots with plantings
7. Remove mildew or moss from walls or walkways with bleach and water
8. Take stains off your driveway with cleaner
9. Stack woodpile neatly
10. Clean and repair patio and deck areas
11. Remove any outdoor furniture that is not in good shape
12. Make sure pool is sparkling clean
13. Replace old storm doors
14. Check for flat-fitting roof shingles
15. Repair broken windows/shutters, replace torn screens, make sure frames and seams have solid caulking
16. Hose off exterior wood and trim, replace damaged bricks or wood
17. Clean and remove rust from any window A/C units or store them away
18. Paint the front door and mailbox
19. Add a new front door mat and consider seasonal door decoration
20. Shine brass hardware on front door, exterior lighting fixtures, etc.
21. Make sure doorbell is in working order

General Interior Tips: 

1. Add a fresh coat of interior paint in light, neutral colors
2. Shampoo carpeting, replace if necessary
3. Clean and wax hardwood floors, refinish if necessary
4. Clean and wash kitchen and bathroom floors
5. Wash all windows, vacuum blinds, wash window sills
6. Clean the fireplace
7. Clean out and organize closets, add extra space by packing away clothes and items you won’t need again until after you’ve moved
8. Remove extra furniture, worn rugs, and items you don’t use: put away papers, toys, etc.
9. Repair easy fixes: loose doorknobs, cracked molding, leaky taps/toilets, squeaky doors, closet/screen doors off their tracks, etc.
10. Add dished potpourri or drop of vanilla or bath oil on light bulbs for scent
11. Secure jewelry, cash, or other valuables

Kitchen:

1. Make sure appliances are spotless inside and out (try baking soda to clean formica stains)
2. Make sure all appliances are in working order
3. Clean often-forgotten spots on top of fridge and under sink
4. Wax or sponge floors to brilliant shine and clean baseboards
5. Organize items inside cabinets, pre-pack anything you won’t be using until you move
6. Keep counters as clear and empty as possible

Living Room:

1. Make it cozy and inviting, discard chipped or worn furniture and frayed or worn rugs
2. Consider packing away personal photos. Buyers want to vizualize themselves living in the home. You want to make it easy to do this
3. Remove as much clutter as possible

Bathrooms:

1. Remove all rust and mildew
2. Make sure tile, fixtures, shower doors, are immaculate and shining
3. Stow all personal hygiene items
4. Put out fresh towels and linens

Master Bedroom:

1. Organize furniture to create a spacious look with well-defined sitting, sleeping, and dressing areas
2. Organize and minimize clutter in closets

Dining Room:

1. Polish any visible silver or crystal
2. Set the table for a formal dinner to help viewers imagine entertaining here

Basement:

1. Sell, give away, or throw out all unnecessary items
2. Organize and create more space by hanging tools and placing items on shelves
3. Clean water heater and drain sediment
4. Change furnace filter
5. Make inspection access easy
6. Clean and paint concrete floors and walls
7. Provide strong overhead lighting

Attic:

1. Tidy up by discarding or pre-packing
2. Make sure exposed insulation is visible and in good condition
3. Make sure air vent is in good working order
4. Provide strong overhead lighting

When It’s Time to Show:

1. Make sure all marketing materials are readily available in a convenient location, such as the kitchen
2. Open all draperies and shades, turn on all lights
3. Keep the home at a comfortable temperature
4. Pick up toys and other clutter, check to make sure beds are made and clothes are put away
5. Give the carpets a quick vacuuming
6. Avoid using the dishwasher, washer, and dryer while your home is being shown
7. Add some strategically placed fresh flowers throughout the home
8. Open bathroom window for fresh air
9. Store prescription drugs in a private place
10. Pop a spicy dessert or just a pan of cinnamon in the oven for aroma. The smell of freshly-baked cookies is always appealing.
11. Grind fresh lemon in the garbage disposal or boil cinnamon sticks to add a fresh scent
12. Turn off the TV and put on some light, non-offensive music at a low volume
13. Make a fire in the fireplace (optional)
14. Put pets in the backyard or arrange for a friend to keep them
15. Make sure pet areas are clean and 100% odor-free