Get the house in showing condition
While you probably won't want to have major repair work done before a sale, small cosmetic touches can increase your home's value by thousands. Improve "curb appeal" by adding a row of flowers to the walkway, trimming the shrubs and painting, even if it's just the side of the house that shows from the street or the front door. Consider painting inside as well (white is best). Clean the windows, polish fixtures, buy some plants. Also, get rid of clutter. Remove extra chairs and tables to make rooms look more spacious, remove unneeded clothign from closets, and clear off kitchen counters. Consider renting storage to remove clutter from closets and garage.
When you actually start showing buyers around, there are a lot of small ways to make your home more appealing. Of course, keep rooms and the yard meticulously neat. Also, turn on all the lights, fluff up pillows, light a fire in the winter and play soft jazz. Keep any pets out of sight.
First impressions are often lasting ones. It is absolutely vital that prospective buyers form a good opinion of your home from the moment they drive up. Homes that convey pride of ownership often sell more quickly and frequently receive the best offers.
Landscaping
Lawn _____________________________
Hedges / flowerbeds _____________________________
Fences / gates _____________________________
Walks / driveway _____________________________
Exterior
Paint _____________________________
Porches/decks _____________________________
Siding _____________________________
Front door _____________________________
Roof / gutters _____________________________
Entry, Living room, Dining room
Floors / carpeting _____________________________
Walls / ceilings _____________________________
Fireplace _____________________________
Window coverings _____________________________
Furniture arrangement _____________________________
Kitchen
Flooring _____________________________
Walls / ceiling _____________________________
Cabinets _____________________________
Countertops _____________________________
Appliances _____________________________
Sink / faucet _____________________________
Bathroom(s)
Tub / shower _____________________________
Sink / faucet _____________________________
Vanity _____________________________
Toilet _____________________________
Floor _____________________________
Walls / ceiling _____________________________
Bedrooms
Floor / carpeting _____________________________
Walls / ceiling _____________________________
Window coverings _____________________________
Closets _____________________________
Furniture arrangement _____________________________
Basement
Stairway / Handrails _____________________________
Floor _____________________________
Storage areas _____________________________
Finished area _____________________________
Garage
Door / opener _____________________________
Storage _____________________________
Floor _____________________________
General
Windows _____________________________
Doors _____________________________
Lights _____________________________
Cleanliness _____________________________
Odors _____________________________
Access _____________________________