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 don’t 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• Replace any fixtures/shade that are outdated and unattractive.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 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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)

• 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.