Getting your home ready to sell can feel like a circus act. Without the right organization, juggling the countless moving parts involved in this stage of the selling process can take its toll. This is the perfect opportunity to create a checklist to keep yourself on track and within your budget. The following information will illuminate the key responsibilities you face as a homeowner as you prepare to hit the market.

We’ve included a comprehensive checklist below of the common tasks required to get your home ready to sell. It is also available as an interactive web page and downloadable pdf here: Get Ready to Sell Checklist

Preparing to Sell Your Home: Working with an Agent

Before you start working on the house itself, it’s best to get the ball rolling on the strategic aspects of selling a home. Working with a real estate agent is the best way to get your home sold for the best price in a timely manner.

A listing agent will represent you throughout the selling process to determine the value of your home, coordinate open houses, market the property, and negotiate with buyers to reach a deal. In the early stages of your discussions with your agent, they will conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to see what price your home could fetch on the market, accounting for various factors that influence home prices such as seasonality and local market conditions. Based on the findings of your agent’s CMA, you can discuss whether remodeling fits into your go-to-market strategy, and your agent can provide intel on which remodeling projects could deliver significant ROI based on buying trends, your location, and what comparable listings in your market are offering.

Home value estimation tools can help you get an idea of what your home is worth to facilitate your conversations with your agent. Use our free Home Worth Calculator by clicking the button below:

A middle-aged man and woman sit down with their real estate agent.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: FG Trade

Preparing to Sell Your Home: A Complete Checklist

Once you’ve found an agent, you’re ready to get your home in tip-top selling shape. The following checklist is available as a free downloadable PDF here:

Get Ready to Sell Checklist – PDF

Exterior

This list of value-adding curb appeal projects will help to form buyers’ first impressions of your home and make your ever-important exterior listing photos stand out amongst the competition.

Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat
Fix loose trim and fencing
Clear gutters and downspouts
Make sure there is good exterior lighting and all walkway lights and front-door lanterns work
Clean and repair the roof as needed
Clear garage of clutter and tidy shelves
Inspect chimney for cracks and damage

Yard

Mow and trim grass; re-seed and fertilize where necessary
Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs
Weed flowers beds
Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs, and trees
Clean grease and oil stains from driveway

Decks/Patios

Paint or stain worn areas on wood decks
Remove grass growing in concrete cracks; sweep off debris from shrubs and trees
Clean all deck rails and make sure they’re secure; replace missing slats or posts
Clean outdoor furniture

Front Door

Polish or stain worn areas on wood decks
Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks
Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain the screen is secure
Make sure the doorbell operates properly and there are no squeaks when the door opens and closes

Windows

Clean all windows inside and out
If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the window trims and sills
Make sure all windows open and close easily
Replace cracked windowpanes and those with broken seals
Make sure window screens are clean and secure; replace any screens with holes or tears

Front Entry

Clean entryway floors and area rugs
Downsize clutter in the entry and entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness
Double-check entry lighting to make sure it works

Interior

Not only will these interior projects get your house sparkling clean, but they’re also preparatory steps for staging your home and hosting open houses.

General Interior Cleaning

Clean all floors, carpets, walls, and trim
Replace burned-out light bulbs
Empty trash
Remove family photos, valuables, and prescription drugs
Tidy up clutter

Kitchen

Fix dripping faucets
Organize pantry and cupboards so they appear clean, neat, and spacious
Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are defrosted and free of odors
Clean the oven and cook top thoroughly
Set the table

Living/Family/Dining Rooms

Give rooms a fresh coat of paint as needed
Repair cracks and holes in ceiling and walls
Make sure all wallpaper is secure
Repaint any woodwork that is worn or chipped
Clean or replace draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light
Make sure draperies and blinds open and close
Steam-clean carpets
Clean rugs and wood flooring, and remove any stains or odors
Position the furniture to showcase the size and space of the room
Remove and replace any attached items, such as chandeliers and draperies, that you wish to move with you
Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables

Bathrooms

Make sure sinks, tubs, showers, and countertops are clean and free of stains
Repair any leaky faucets
Remove grout and soap stains from tile
Replace any missing or cracked tiles or grout
Make sure all joints are caulked
Make sure all fixtures, including heat lamps and exhaust fans are operating
Install a new shower curtain and buy matching towels
Store all supplies, such as toilet paper, shampoo bottles and cleansers, out of sight

Bedrooms

Repair cracks in ceiling and walls
Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary
Make sure all wallpaper is secure
Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light
Put away toys, clothes, and clutter
Neatly make up the beds

Basement

Check for water penetration or dampness; call for professional repairs if necessary
Get rid of musty odors
Clean furnace, hot water heater, and drains
Make sure light fixtures work
Arrange storage area in a neat and organized manner
Make sure stairway handrail is secure

Tidy Extras

Use air fresheners or bake treats to make the house smell good
Plant flowers to brighten the walkway and enrich the entry
Remove any indoor houseplants that are brown or losing their leaves
Remove all “fixer” cars, campers, and boats from the property
Discard the clutter of magazines on the coffee and end tables
Tidy and declutter all closets
Hide or get rid of worn-out throw pillows
Store pet supplies
At night, turn on the porch light and outdoor lighting
Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables

For more information on preparing to sell your home, helpful hints on the rest of the buying process, tips on working with an agent, moving checklists, and more, visit our Home Selling Guide: