Home Selling: Maintenance and Cleanup for Resale

Below is a checklist of maintenance and clean-up items (for the inside and outside of the property) designed specifically for homeowners who are planning to put their home on the market:

Interior Improvements

  • Remove all unnecessary furniture
  • Remove clutter throughout
  • Curtains and draperies should be freshly laundered
  • Clean all blinds
  • Make sure your carpets are clean and odor-free
  • Clean and wax hardwood flooring
  • Organize closets and cupboards
  • Make sure windows, screens and doors are sparkling clean
  • Be certain that all windows, screens and doors are in proper working order
  • Replace all broken glass
  • Clean the oven and the dishwasher, inside and out
  • Clean all other appliances and make sure they are in proper working order
  • Oil noisy appliances and ceiling fans
  • Run a lemon through the garbage disposal
  • Brighten interior walls with a coat of neutral paint
  • Repair cracked or peeling paint, wallpaper and woodwork
  • Wash wall smudges and polish mirrors
  • Check all light bulbs
  • Clean the fireplace and/or wood stove
  • Clean the furnace and replace filters
  • Test all smoke detectors
  • Tighten loose door knobs, towel racks, cabinet handles and switch plates
  • Tighten loose stair banisters
  • Repair sticking doors and windows and warped drawers
  • Eliminate water discoloration in sinks
  • Check the entire house for musty or distasteful odors
  • Remove all rust and mildew
  • Be sure your home is well aired and clean smelling
  • Replace loose caulking or grout
  • Make sure all plumbing fixtures are in proper working order
  • Clean the garage so a car will fit into the proper space
  • Clean oily cement floors
  • Throw away unnecessary items
  • Have the water conditioner serviced


Exterior Improvements

  • Trim trees, hedges and shrubs
  • Remove dead or dying flowers inside and out
  • Put away outdoor tools and equipment
  • Remove stains and clutter from the driveway
  • Repair the driveway, sidewalks and stairs
  • Remove mildew or moss from walls and walks
  • Touch up exterior paint
  • Paint the front door and the garage door
  • Replace faded house numbers
  • Replace old door mats
  • Replace or paint weather-beaten mailbox
  • Make sure the doorbell works
  • Clean outdoor light fixtures
  • Shine outside brass fixtures
  • Clean and repair patio and deck areas
  • Repair fences and gates
  • Check roof shingles and replace or repair if necessary
  • Remove debris from the roof
  • Clean gutters
  • Replace damaged bricks and rotted wood
  • Clean basement entry drains
  • Clean the chimney
  • Stack the wood pile neatly
  • Replace or repair anything that sticks, squeaks or drips

 

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