Normally, we recommend you consult or hire a stager before listing your home. But some of my clients want to get a head start, and this is what I recommend. I find my clients are becoming more savvy about how to prep their homes for sale. (Thanks goes to HGTV, I suspect.)

This is a long, detailed list. (You can download a printable version.) However, I can sum it up easily: De-clutter, use a storage unit, and CLEAN. Your home must be as clean as possible. I recommend a pre-listing professional cleaning, and have put it on the list.

☐ GET A STORAGE UNIT
☐ KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAN

Outdoors

☐ Clean and revitalize front door and surrounding area
☐ Clean up deck/patio/porch
☐ Remove all outdoor trash
☐ Put away outdoor tools, toys and other clutter
☐ Make gardens look maintained and not dead
☐ Get a new large doormat
☐ Install outdoor lighting if needed
☐ Find a home for garbage cans
☐ Make garage look clean and large
☐ Complete all lingering outdoor repairs
☐ Spray off siding, and use a cleaning agent if needed
☐ Keep the house/driveway/walkway hosed down as needed
☐ Repair cracks in walkways and steps
☐ Clean gutters (and reroute them if they are causing a leaky basement)
☐ Mow your lawn and keep it weed free and green
☐ Trim hedges and put mulch around trees and shrubs
☐ Keep drive and walkways free of snow if applicable
☐ Arrange for these things to be done for showings if you are an absentee seller

Indoors – General

☐ Remove all dirt and grime from every part of your home
☐ Vacuum and dust continually
☐ Tackle all odors and freshen before showings with potpourri or fresh baked cookies (Avoid air fresheners, which are too strong)
☐ Make any needed minor repairs around the home: tighten, patch, replace, etc
☐ Consider putting some furniture in storage: start with large items, dated pieces, or those that lack purpose
☐ Arrange rooms with a clear purpose and natural flow, and maximize space
☐ Store any extra televisions (in kitchen or bedrooms) if possible
☐ Remove as many indicators of your pets as possible, and limit to one area
☐ Make plans for you and pets to be out of the home for showings
☐ Replace burned-out lightbulbs
☐ Assure that maximum light is coming through all your windows
☐ Clean windows and window treatments
☐ Touch up all scratches on walls and/or do fresh coats of paint where needed
☐ Fill nail holes or cracks

Living Areas

☐ Pack away all personal photos, you can replace some with more artistic photos
☐ Remove knickknacks and keep decor taste-neutral
☐ Add fresh flowers to an area
☐ Tidy up entertainment centers, eliminating messy cords and extra DVDs, etc.
☐ Clean up magazines, newspapers and mail
☐ Clean carpets and polish up hard floors
☐ Consider replacing heavily worn or damaged carpet/flooring
☐ Expose original hardwoods if covered by carpet
☐ Find a place for all toys and kids’ items, and limit these to their rooms/playroom

Kitchen/Dining

☐ Scrub all kitchen surfaces
☐ Eliminate most countertop appliances to maximize space
☐ Clear fridge of magnets and papers
☐ Consider new kitchen hardware or faucet if room looks dated
☐ Hide kitchen garbage, or invest in a high quality lidded garbage can
☐ Clean out pantry and cabinets and arrange to maximize space
☐ Keep refrigerator neat and odor-free
☐ Tidy up drawers, and use drawer organizers if necessary
☐ Make the table inviting with a centerpiece, place mats or table runner
☐ Clean or repair any damaged or stained grout/caulk (kitchen and bathroom)

Bathroom

☐ Shine up bathrooms, remove any stains, and keep waste emptied
☐ Consider replacing one or two fixtures in dated bathrooms, such as faucet, sink, hardware, etc.
☐ De-clutter bathroom of toiletries, add plush towels and use a clean shower curtain
☐ Fix leaky faucets, and consider a new shower head if yours is cruddy
☐ Limit items in shower/tub and organize necessities in a small bin or rack
☐ Clean up medicine cabinet, and keep prescription drugs out of sight

Bedrooms

☐ Keep beds made, and use fresh, matching linens
☐ Cut down on bedside clutter
☐ Find a safe place for jewelry and valuables
☐ Make sure dirty clothing in closets is not visible (eg: in an enclosed hamper)
☐ Clean out closets, organizing all items and putting off-season clothing in storage
☐ Tidy up shoes and accessories, eliminate some and use appropriate storage
☐ Eliminate random items from clothing closets that don’t belong there and store away
☐ Attack other closets, removing as much as possible and putting things in storage
☐ Use attractive organizing systems in closets where applicable
☐ Put loose items that must remain in matching solid bins
☐ Kids’ rooms should look like kids’ rooms, just keep them tidy

Office

☐ Tidy office desks, corralling cords and storing seldom used computer components
☐ Tidy CDs, software, books, etc., and put some in storage if possible
☐ File all papers, and keep all sensitive documents safely hidden or shred them
☐ Make sure an office doesn’t look like a junk room — add a seating area if needed

Laundry/Basement

☐ Tidy up laundry area, and keep it free of dirty or drying laundry
☐ Resolve a wet basement, which could involve issues with windows or gutters
☐ If you can’t resolve a wet basement problem, call an expert to address it
☐ Maximize light in basement with light paint, uncovered windows and extra light fixtures
☐ Paint the basement floor if it will help the space look cleaner and brighter

☐ SCHEDULE PRE-LIST CLEANING: Call Cindy at White Tornado, 859-816-0287. Tell her Amy B sent you!

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