House Clearance Help & Advice: Moving Home: Selling Your Home Checklist

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Buying & Selling A Home

Before you can show people around your house it must be cleaned thoroughly, all repairs done and if necessary you will have to spend some money on redoing decorating, paint etc. Print off this checklist and go through your house ticking the boxes as you finish them. Once done you are ready to start showing people around.

Garden

Sweep driveway and Paths

Mow lawn and tidy boarders

Hedges trimmed, trees pruned

Put up hanging baskets

Make sure there is no litter in the garden

Clean out your pond if you have one

Clear away all children's playthings bikes,toys etc.

Make sure there is no dogs dirt on the lawn

Garage

Store any tools, appliances in units or in boxes

Make sure the floor is thoroughly swept and clutter free

Ensure garage is well lit

Roof

Buyers will pay close attention to the condition of your roof. Re-patch or where necessary, and fix leaky, corroded drains and gutters. Inside, a watermarked ceiling is a sign to buyers that the roof has leaked even if the damage has been repaired.

Interior

Entrance

A neat and clean entryway creates a positive first impression. Replace faded house numbers with new ones. Make sure the doorbell is working properly.

Clean the front door inside and out and if needed give it a coat of paint

Cobwebs cleared

Touch up paint work (if tarnished or chipped)

Ensure hall is well lit

Remove shoes, bags and keep coats tucked out of sight

Living/dining room

Make your living room look spacious by decluttering it and keeping everything organized and neat. Don`t cover all wall space with furniture pull the furniture away from the walls this will make the room seem bigger. If something doesn`t belong in there get it out. If you decorate this room keep the colors light and soft this will also make the room appear bigger.

Pull back curtains

Turn TV and stereo off

No clutter

Fresh flowers

Open a window to air the room

Newspapers and magazines put away neatly

Fireplace clean/ashes removed. Clean out the chimney.

Kitchen

As every one knows the kitchen is the room that everyone is interested in. The kitchen should have plenty of space, storage and plenty of worktops. If you haven`t got much storage space have some wall units put in. Change door handles to make them look newer you could also paint units to give them a modern look.

Keep a window open to get rid of cooking smells

Clean dishes and put them away so that they are out of sight

Make sure worktops are clean and clutter free

Cooker cleaned properly (if you are leaving the cooker behind ensure you clean it inside as well

Clear pet bowls and baskets

Mop floor - gives a nice fresh smell

Make sure your appliances are sparkling

Bathroom

Make sure the bathtub and shower are spotless

Remove mildew stains from tiles and grouting

Clean shower curtain thoroughly

Tidy the laundry area and put clean fresh towels on display. Put some potpourri in a dish to give it a nice smell

Bedrooms

Make the beds

Put all clothing in drawers/wardrobes

If you have walk in wardrobes clear them out. Not only will they look tidier but they will look a lot bigger

Open windows

Repairs & touches

If walls are cracked, the paint work is yellow and the wallpaper is dated it will put potential buyers off. Go around your house and check that there is no damages if they are have them repaired.

Walls

Skirting boards clean and dusted

Cover nail holes

Cracks, chips and leaks repaired

Repair any damages to walls

Painting touched up or redone

Wallpaper walls where needing done

Don`t decorate the whole house unless needed If there are only parts of the walls that are damaged and you can`t afford to have them repaired cover them with a nice picture, mirror or a piece of furniture.

Doors & Windows

Make sure that all the windows open and close easily

Check that doors don`t need oiling and that they shut and open easily

Check that door knobs, handles and latches aren`t loose

Repair any cracks in glass

Have all the windows cleaned

Make sure your door bell is working properly and replace door numbers if they are looking a bit tatty

Make sure the window frames aren`t damaged

If you can afford it replace your old windows with double glazing.

Flooring

Vacuum thoroughly

Are carpets clean and in good condition? If not have them steam cleaned

If you have wooden floors, sweep thoroughly and make sure there are no stains or scratches showing

Mop the kitchen/bathroom floors until they are gleaming. Make sure they are dry before you show anyone about

If there are stains on the carpets or if they have faded cover them with furniture or decorative rugs. Do the same with wooden floors if they are scratched or you could give them a varnish.

Lighting & Plumbing

Have any overhead lighting fixed if not working

Put in new lamp shades or chandeliers. You can always take them with you when you move

All wiring should be covered

Make sure you have high watt bulbs in dark rooms

All sockets are in working order and that they turn on and off easily

Toilet in good working order

Have any leeks fixed immediately

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