Important steps to assure that you have an
uneventful Virtual Tour.
- Schedule the tour when the sun is hitting
the house or ocean at the right time.
- Make sure it is not garbage collection day
on the same day as the tour.
- Have your lawn service do the yard the day
before the tour.
- Cancel any construction work on the day of
the tour.
- Do not schedule the tour until the Open House
is over.
- Park your car in the street away from your
home or in the garage.
- Put away clutter, toys, pet beds and food
bowls, cloths, bedding, dishes, and food.
- Clean off counter tops and the top of the
refrigerator. You do not want others to think you do not have
enough storage.
- Ice box art and magnets have never been an
issue.
- Make the bed and spruce up the pillows or
quilts.
- MCVT will not move furniture. This prevents
an injury to the photographer or damage to property.
- If you are concerned about photos of your
children or family members take them down the day before the
tour.
- If you are concerned about expensive possessions
being photographed remove them as well.
- Make sure all lamps and lights work and turn
them on when the photographer arrives.
- Make sure your pets and children do not zip
through the area while the tour is being conducted.
- Provide MCVT with the gate code or the phone
number to call from the gate or meet him there.
Real Estate Check List
All these steps are NOT necessary to prepare for a virtual tour. First Check with your REALTOR to see if these improvements are necessary. When selling your home, it's important to know
which repairs or home improvement projects will increase the
value of your home and help you get the most interest from home
buyers.
Lighting
- Replace any burned
out bulbs.
- Replace lamp shades
for a quick fix.
- Make sure all fixtures
are clean.
- Fix any problems before
you list your home.
- Add dimmer switch to
Dining Room.
- Add task lighting to
your kitchen - most people dont have enough. Mount halogen
pot lights under your cupboards for optimal counter lighting.
- Replace any fixtures/shade that are outdated
and unattractive.
- Turn on all the lights when you know your home is going to be showed.
- Turn on outside lights in the evenings.
Curb Appeal:
- Inspect the outside ground.
Remove any building materials, scrap wood, discarded household
items, etc. from the property. Store garbage cans in the garage.
- Check the home from the
roof line down.
- Is the roof free and
clear from obstructions and moss?
- Are the gutters clear
and neatly hung?
- Are the windows clean
and free from obstructions (such as overgrown bushes or
trees)?
- Are bushes, trees and
shrubs neatly pruned?
- Inspect the condition of
the paint or siding?
- Is it time to power
wash the siding?
- Is touch up paint needed?
- Is the front door in
good shape?
- Is the door bell button clean?
- Do flower beds need an
upgrade?
- Are plants neatly pruned?
- Is the bed free and
clear of weeds?
- Is the bed properly
mulched?
- Are flowers in bloom?
- Keep the lawn neatly groomed.
- Is the lawn free from
weeds?
- Is the lawn free from
grass clippings?
- Is the lawn neatly
edged?
Carpet and Flooring:
- If you have pets hire a professional to deodorize
carpets
- If needed, replace any worn carpet
- If needed, steam clean carpet thoroughly
- If needed, install new neutral-colored carpet
with a thick padding so prospective buyers feel comfortable
as they walk on your floors
- Make sure carpets are secure. Stretch and
tack down any loose or curling carpet
- Make sure the carpets are vacuumed, free
of pet hair and combed
- If you decide to replace a linoleum floor,
choose a neutral color that will have wide appeal
- If your home has hardwood floors with room-size
rugs, get the hardwood into its best condition with fresh
non-slip floor polish or other coating to make it shimmer
- Mop and vacuum floors
- Replace worn out vent covers
- Thoroughly clean linoleum floors in kitchen
and bathroom
Clean and De-Clutter:
- Clean or Replace Door Bell Button and Fix
or Replace Door Bell
- Appliances should be cleaned - inside and
out
- Clean all curtains, drapes and blinds
- Clean or purchase new front door accessories
- Clean the entryway carefully; it creates
the buyers first interior impression of your home
- Clean the inside of all kitchen and bathroom
cabinets and neatly organize items on shelves
- Clean windowsills
- Doors should be oiled and squeak-free
- Dry clean your drapes
- Empty trash cans, recycling bins and ash
trays
- Ensure all doors, cabinets and drawers can
open completely without any blockage
- Exterminate any insect problems
- Get rid of odors (pet, food)
- Have a garage sale before the home is listed
- Hire a professional cleaning service, once
every few weeks while the house is on the market
- If needed, remove clutter by renting off-site
storage space
- Keep baseboards clean and dusted
- Keep bookshelves, entertainment units organized
neatly
- Keep clothing hung neatly, shoes organized
- Keep screens clean and vacuumed
- Keep shower curtains fresh and free from
mildew
- Keep stairways and corridors clear
- Make bathrooms sparkle; sinks, toilets and
tubs should be immaculate
- Make stairwells and corridors clutter-free
- Mop and sweep all floors
- Organize closets
- Polish all interior woodwork
- Remove appliances from kitchen counters to
give a look of spaciousness
- Remove oil spots from garage
Exterior Painting:
- Paint door and door frame
- Paint exterior fixtures
- Paint mailbox
- Paint or clean front door and garage door
- Paint or re-stain fence if it is peeling
or dirty
- Paint over any rust spots or streaks on downspouts
- Paint shutters, make sure they are hung straight
- Paint window ledges
- Polish door handles and knockers
- Remove rust from railing
- Repair any damage to chimney
- Repair holes in gutters and repair any separations
from eaves
- Repair or replace shingles or tiles missing
from the roof
- Sand and repaint areas with blistering or
peeling paint
- Seal cracks on porch and remove any standing
water if concrete. If wood, secure railings and seal or paint
as necessary
- Straighten and clean antenna
Interior Painting:
- Add new wallpaper if the current wallpaper
is torn or withered. Make sure it adheres to the wall
- All woodwork like stairwell railings and
doors should be repainted and/or stained
- Have leaks repaired and watermarks covered
- If needed, repaint faded, worn or stained
interior walls
- Make sure that cracks in ceiling/walls are
repaired
- The windows should be washed and stain free.
The window frames should be painted if necessary and the hinges
should not squeak
- Tone down bright room colors by painting
them white or a neutral color
Kitchen and Bathroom:
- If the appliances are included with the sale
of your home, make sure they are operating and have proper
documentation such as warranties and repair information
- If there are missing or damaged tiles, have
them replaced
- Re-touch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms
if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor
- Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free
- Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs
- Make sure that there are no leaky faucets
- Re-caulk damaged caulk on shower, sinks,
tub or toilet
- Clean tile grout and make stain-free
- Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry
- Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet
pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges
- Replace toilet seat
- If appliances are dated or not functioning,
consider replacing
Bring The Sun Shine In:
- Repair sticky windows
- Clean all windows, inside and out
- Clean existing shutters, blinds or drapes
- Clean skylight for leaves and other debris
- Install new window treatments if those you
have are damaged or dated
- Keep curtains open and use natural light
as much as possible
- Prune outside trees to allow natural light
inside
Plumbing and Electrical:
- All drains should be clean and free flowing
- All toilets should be in good working order
- Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures
in all bathrooms
- Have your well or septic inspected or repaired
- If needed, hire a plumber to replace badly
rusted and corroded plumbing pipes
- Inspect, clean and change filter of furnace
- Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen faucets
are in good working order
- Make sure that all smoke and burglar alarms
are functional
- Remove mildew stains and repair any loose,
crumbling caulk or grout around tile and tub areas
- Repair broken doorbell
- Service sprinkler system
Staging Improvements:
- Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for
display
- Clean out the entry closet and put only a
few hangers so that the buyer can visualize winter coats
- Consider lighting up the fireplace during
the colder months
- Hang artwork on the walls
- Hang extra clean towels in the bathroom for
your guests
- Have a fresh vase of flowers on the kitchen
table to add appeal
- Have beds made
- If needed, put large furniture in storage
- Lock pets up away from home during showings
- Open drapes to allow light in
- Place fresh flowers, potpourri and other
decorations around house (even in bathrooms)
- Play music during open houses
- Put cedar chips inside the closets
- Remove all unnecessary articles in basement
or attic
- Remove magnets and notes from refrigerator
- Remove personal possession, like photos,
trophies and mementos
- Set the dining room table for a dinner party
- Stage garage - clean up oily floors, straighten
tools and other equipment
- Tag or remove items not included in sale
(i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants, drapes)
Yard Improvements:
- Add colorful plants or flowers near front
door and porch area
- Consider re-painting or re-staining a deck
if the wood is worn out
- Repair damaged, rusty or bent fence; paint
or stain if necessary
- If you have an awning for the patio, make
sure that it is also free of debris and that there are no
signs of tear or worn material. Replace if necessary
- Keep the firewood neatly stacked
- Keep trash area clean and organized
- Keep walks, steps and driveway obstacle-free
- Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn
- Power wash deck
- Prune trees and bushes
- Rake fallen leaves
- Remove unnecessary items such as gardening
equipment
- Remove debris and personal items on deck
and porch
- Remove signs such as Beware of Dog
- Remove weeds and dead or dying plants or
flowers
- Replace welcome mat at the doorway
- Re-sod bare spots on lawn
If you do not want to do anything at least clean the door ball button.
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