Step Three: Interior check list

Especially in today’s real estate market, the condition of a home has never been so critical. Gloom and doom is rampant in every news article that you will read. As a real estate agent who works at this occupation 24/7 this is first hand knowledge of what has been taking place in the Central Ohio real estate market; real estate agents are selling houses and some houses sell quickly with competing offers. The ingredients for such successes are as follows: priced right, impeccable condition, great location.

If you are thinking of listing your home for sale

You need to prepare; for exterior improvements tips please refer to previous posts; Steps one and two. Now onto the interior review of your home, grab a notebook you will need to make a list of what needs to be done.

The entry is the first and last place the buyers will see as they come and go from any home - the entry must be clean an inviting

De-clutter

First and foremost de-clutter, rent a storage shed for all that stuff you just can’t part with. If you pack it up before you list it’s that much less you will have to move when you sell. Your home will look more spacious.

Clean those windows

There’s nothing worse than dirty windows. While cleaning your windows take a note of all repairs that need to be made. All windows should stay up when opened, easy operation is a must no excessive force should be needed to open and close your windows. If your windows are cloudy after cleaning you have broken seals that need to be repaired. All windows should have screens, if missing or damaged replacement is needed.

A good thorough cleaning

Clean your home from top to bottom; that includes wiping down all your baseboards, chair rails, crown moldings, remove all cobwebs. If the walls can’t be cleaned then you will need a fresh coat of paint, get your painting clothes on or call a professional painter. Caution: a messy paint job will devaluate your home’s value, if you are not a good painter pay a professional to do it.

Kitchen and bathrooms

These rooms must sparkle, replace all caulk that has cracked, dried-up or looks nasty. Clean ceramic tile floors, shower surrounds and kitchen backsplashes. Steam clean all dirty grout then re-seal. Fix all plumbing leaks, replace worn faucets and showerheads. When your home is being shown make sure all toilet seats are down. Glass shower doors need to sparkle; a few hints to remove soap scum, scrub with toothpaste, a fine grade adobe pad works well, or steam clean. Purchase a new set of bathroom and kitchen towels to give these rooms a fresh look.

Don’t forget to clean those ceiling fans and bathroom exhaust fans

You will be amazed when you look closely how thick the dust is on the top of a ceiling fan blade; also those bathroom exhaust fans really get yucky.

Miscellaneous details

Replace all burned out light bulbs
Remove all family photos
Organize closets, pantry, and cupboards
Professionally clean all carpets
Touch-up wood scratches
Organize the basement and garages

Hire a professional home inspector

A good home inspector will provide you with a detailed list of all necessary repairs that should be made. I can provide you with a list of reliable home inspectors

A clean well maintained home equals value

You will obtain a quicker and more profitable sale

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