Polishing the Merchandise

Start with a curb-to-door cleanup. Prune shrubs and tree branches, edge the lawn and keep it mowed and, if the season permits, add a show of color with annual bedding plants. Paint the front door and put out a new welcome mat.
Inside, make your home look as spacious as possible. Eliminate clutter. Organize closets, the attic and basement storage.
Depersonalize your space. Reduce distractions and help would-be buyers visualize making themselves at home. Tuck away family pictures. A home stamped indelibly with your personality and style can be harder to sell.
Remove obvious clues to your political, religious and social sentiments. Store away banners, bumper stickers and biased literature, including magazines.

Use the Interior and Exterior checklists to identify areas of your home that need work before placing it on the market.

Interior
Attic

Check underside of roof for leaks, stains or dampness

Look around chimney for condensation or signs of water

Clean and clear ventilation openings if necessary

Clean out stored junk

Walls and Ceilings

Check condition of paint and wallpaper

Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster or wallboard

Windows and Doors

Check for smooth operation

Replace broken or cracked panes

Repair glazing

Check condition of weather stripping and caulking

Examine paint

Test doorbell or chimes

Test burglar alarms

Wash windows and even woodwork, if necessary

Floors

Inspect for creaking boards, loose or missing tiles, worn areas

Check baseboards and moldings

Test the staircases for loose handrails, posts, treads

Bathrooms

Check tile joints, grouting and caulking

Remove mildew

Repair leaking faucets and shower heads

Check the condition of painted or papered walls

Test operation of toilet

Kitchen

Wash all appliances

Clean ventilator or exhaust fan

Remove accumulation of grease or dust from tiles, walls, floors

Basement

Remove clutter

Check for signs of dampness, cracked walls or damaged floors

Inspect structural beams

Check pipes for leaks

Electrical System

Check exposed wiring and outlets for signs of wear or damage

Repair broken switches and outlets

Label each circuit or fuse

Plumbing System

Check water pressure when taps in bathroom(s) and kitchen are turned on

Look for leaks at faucets and sink traps

Clear slow-running or clogged drains

Bleed air off radiators if needed, and check for leaking valves

Heating and Cooling Systems

Change or clean furnace and air-conditioning filters

Have equipment serviced if needed

Clear and clean area around heating and cooling equipment

Exterior

Roof and Gutters

Repair or replace loose, damaged or blistered shingles

Clean gutters and downspout strainers

Check gutters for leaks and proper alignment

Inspect flashings around roof stacks, vents, skylights and chimneys

Clear obstructions from vents, louvers and chimneys

Check fascias and soffits for decay and peeling paint

Inspect chimney for any loose or missing mortar

Exterior Walls

Re-nail loose siding and check for warping or decay

Paint siding if necessary

Check masonry walls for cracks or any other damage

Replace loose or missing caulking

Driveway

Repair concrete or blacktop if necessary

Garage

Lubricate hinges and other hardware on your garage door

Inspect doors and windows for any peeling paint

Check condition of glazing around all windows

Test electrical outlets

Foundation

Check walls, steps, retaining walls, walkways and patios for cracks, heaving or crumbling

Yard

Mow lawn, reseed or sod if necessary

Trim hedges, prune trees and shrubs

Weed and mulch flower beds

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Contact Frank Armstrong

RE/MAX of Rochester
4600 18th Ave NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Toll Free 1-888-736-2904
Direct 1-507-287-7722

Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

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