Preparing your home to sell often starts at the curb. It’s often the first impression people get of your home and they make judgment calls about whether to look further based on its exterior condition. Here’s a 20-item checklist below to ensure that your home is putting its best face forward. Fortunately, most of these items cost little to nothing and can greatly improve your chances of selling sooner.
- Keep grass neatly cut and edged
- Remove weeds and add fresh mulch to flower beds
- Straighten and afix loose shutters
- Paint or replace your mailbox
- Prune overgrown shrubs and trees
- Replace bulbs in porch and garage lights
- Replace any missing bulbs in landscape lighting
- Clean & straighten (or replace) gutters and downspouts
- Clean your windows or replace them if they’re out of date
- Put a fresh coat of paint or stain on the front door
- Polish the doorknocker and kick plate on your front door
- Stage your front porch with welcoming furniture & accessories
- Decorate with potted plants or hanging baskets
- Put away any bicycles, sport equipment and toys (a deck box or storage building is perfect)
- Pressure wash your siding, porch, sidewalks and driveway
- Re-seal your driveway if necessary
- Replace any warped or rotting wood
- Replace your welcome mat if it’s worn
- Clean the glass in your storm door
- Ensure that your doorbell is in working condition
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Michael Carr is the Co-Founder & COO of BrandFace, LLC. He is also a real estate branding expert and international bestselling author. As America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer, he has sold billions of dollars in commercial and residential properties.