PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A SELL

Page 7 of 7

The Basement / Laundry

Here is where all the clutter seems to grow on its own! This is a good time to get rid of all that stuff you've been meaning to throw away, donate, sell, or even return. As for the rest, make sure your stuff is neatly stacked or hung up. People don't expect too much from the basement, only that it is dry.

• Ventilate. There must be no smell of damp or must
• Make sure all of the basement is brightly lit
• Clean the furnace, humidifier, hot water heater and circuit break box
• Change any filters
• Cover water heater with insulated jacket
• All light switches work
• Pull chain lights have chains, and are easy to reach
• Arrange basement contents so its easy to walk around
• Handrail on basement stairs is secure
• Arrange for an exterminator, if necessary
• Clean and deodorize any pet areas
• Fix any water leakage and repair damage
• Electrical system is up-to-date and fuse box is not overloaded
• Clean laundry appliances
• Appliances are in working order
• Keep dirty clothes out of sight
• Floor and walls around washer and dryer are clean
• Laundry area is brightly lit
• All pipes and connections are in working order
• Vacuum, sweep and dust basement

The Basement / Laundry - Lasting Impressions

• Unfinished basement has freshly painted walls
• Colorful area rugs in basement and in laundry area
• Plants, even artificial greenery, in laundry area
• Laundry has a "drying rack"

Buyers are on the Way!

If you can't vacate the house while your agent is showing it, stay unobtrusively in the background or better yet, out of sight. Your presence may make the buyer uncomfortable and keep them from making honest comments about the house. If possible, make arrangements for pets to be completely out of the house during showings too. Your dog may not like strangers in the house and not all buyers are pet friendly either. You don't want nervous buyers rushing through the house because your pet makes them uncomfortable.

The Last Minute Checklist:

• Clear away any litter from in front of your house
• Make sure all outside bikes, toys and gardening implements are in their proper places
• Remove any pet debris
• Garage is empty of vehicles and garage door is shut
• (Winter) Snow and ice removed from sidewalks
• Trash cans are not causing the garage to smell
• Garage floor is swept
• All lights are on in each room and in the basement
• Start a fire in the fireplace, only if someone is home
• No lingering odors in the house
• Start coffee brewing in the kitchen
• Turn on soft music in the living room
• There is an unobstructed path through the house
• Open all interior doors
• Open the curtains and roll-up any blinds
• The house is at a comfortable temperature
• Vacuum and dust, if there is time
• Close TV cabinet doors in the living room
• Remove any glasses and plates of food from rooms
• Put away any clutter in hallways, or on staircases
• Remove any dead flowers from floral arrangements
• If china buffet has interior lights, turn them on
• Make sure kitchen appliances are spotless
• Take out any kitchen garbage
• Check that the pet "eating area" is clean
• Clear the counter tops
• Put out new dish towels and tea towels and place mats on the kitchen table
• Clear all dirty dishes into the dishwasher
• Personal items are hidden from view in the bathrooms
• Put out new bathroom towels
• Tubs and sinks are clean
• Shower curtains are pulled back
• Toilet seats are down
• Beds are made
• Clothing is put away
• Personal items are put away off the bedroom dressers
• Toys are picked up in children's bedrooms
• Turn off any televisions
• Turn off any radios
• Turn off dishwasher
• Turn off washing machine and / or dryer
• All "Lasting Impressions" are in place
• Don't forget the pets
• Don't forget the children