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Lighting and Window Improvements: q Repair sticky windows which do not open q At night, turn on porch light and outdoor lighting q Clean all switch-plates q Clean all windows, inside and out q Clean existing shutters, blinds or drapes q Clean skylight for leaves and other debris q Increase the wattage of bulbs to maximum possible wattage q Install dimming switches in rooms such as dining rooms and living rooms to allow you to create lighting for different occasions q Install new window treatments if those you have are damaged or dated q Keep curtains open and use natural light as much as possible q Make sure all outdoor lighting works q Prune outside trees to allow natural light inside q Turn on enough lights so home is well lit during showing q Wipe all light fixtures with a rag and cleaning solution
Carpet & Flooring Improvements:
q If you have pets hire a professional to deodorize carpets q If needed, replace any worn carpet q If needed, steam clean carpet thoroughly q If needed, install new neutral-colored carpet with a thick padding so buyers feel comfortable as they walk on your floors q Make sure carpets are secure. Stretch and tack down any loose or curling carpet q Make sure the carpets are vacuumed, free of pet hair and combed q If you decide to replace a linoleum floor, choose a neutral color that will have wide appeal q If your home has hardwood floors and they have lost their shine, have the floors polished or refinished. q Mop and vacuum floors q Replace worn out vent covers q Thoroughly clean linoleum floors in kitchen and bathroom
Exterior Painting Improvements:
q Paint door and doorframe q Paint exterior fixtures q Paint mailbox q Paint or clean front door and garage door q Paint or re-stain fence if it is peeling or dirty q Paint over any rust spots or streaks on downspouts q Paint shutters, make sure they are hung straight q Paint window ledges q Polish door handles and knockers q Remove rust from railing q Repair any damage to chimney q Repair holes in gutters and repair any separations from eaves q Repair or replace shingles or tiles missing from the roof q Sand and repaint areas with blistering or peeling paint q Seal cracks on porch and remove any standing water if concrete. If wood, secure looks railings and seal or paint as necessary
Kitchen & Bathroom Improvements:
q If the appliances are included with the sale of your home, make sure they are operating and have proper documentations such as warranties and repair information q If there are missing or damaged tiles, have them replaced q Re-touch or repaint kitchens and bathrooms if the color is dated or the paint quality is poor q Make sure sinks are clean and stain-free q Repair damaged countertops, sinks or tubs q Make sure that there are no leaky faucets q Re-caulk damaged caulk on shower, sinks, tub or toilet q Clean tile grout and make stain-free q Paint, touch-up or refinish kitchen cabinetry q Tighten or replace loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers and wobbly hinges q Replace toilet seat q If appliances are dated or not functioning, consider replacing
“Staging” Improvements:
q Reduce clutter to absolute minimum q Clean fireplace and prepare with logs for display q Clean out the entry closet and put only a few hangers so that the buyer can visualize winter coats q Consider lighting up the fireplace during the colder months q Hang artwork on the walls q Hang extra clean towels in the bathroom for your guests q Have a fresh vase of flowers on the kitchen table to add appeal q Have beds made q If needed, put large furniture in storage q Try to keep pets away or in a secure area home during showings q Open drapes to allow light in q Place fresh flowers, potpourri and other decorations around house (even in bathrooms) q Put cedar blocks or chips inside the closets q Remove all unnecessary articles in basement or attic q Remove magnets and notes from refrigerator q Remove personal possessions like photos, trophies and mementos that add clutter q Set the dining room table for a dinner party q Stage garage - clean up oily floors, straighten tools and other equipment q Tag or remove items not included in sale (i.e. water conditioner, chandeliers, plants, drapes) – otherwise they will legally belong to the buyers
Interior Painting Improvements:
q Add new wallpaper if the current wallpaper is torn or withered. Make sure it adheres to the wall q All woodwork like stairwell railings and doors should be repainted and or stained q Have leaks repaired & watermarks covered (these must be disclosed it not repaired) q If needed, repaint faded, worn or stained interior walls q Make sure that cracks in ceiling/walls are repaired q The windows should be washed and stain free. The window frames should be painted if necessary and the hinges should not squeak q Tone down bright room colors by painting them white or a neutral color q Whitewash dark paneling
Plumbing & Electrical Improvements:
q All drains should be clean and free flowing q All toilets should be in good working order q Clean up, paint or replace old plumbing fixtures in all bathrooms q Have your well or septic inspected or repaired q If needed, hire a plumber to replace badly rusted and corroded plumbing pipes q Inspect, clean and change filter of furnace q Make sure that all bathroom and kitchen faucets are in good working order q Make sure that all smoke and burglar alarms are functional q Remove mildew stains and repair any loose, crumbling caulk or grout around tile and tub q Repair broken doorbell q Service sprinkler system
Yard Improvements: q Add colorful plants or flowers near front door and porch area q Consider re-painting or re-staining a deck if the wood is worn out q Repair damaged, rusty or bent fence; paint or stain if necessary q 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 q Keep the firewood neatly stacked q Keep trash area clean and organized q Keep walks, steps and driveway obstacle-free q Mow, trim, fertilize and water lawn q Power wash deck q Prune trees and bushes q Rake fallen leaves q Remove unnecessary items such as gardening equipment q Remove debris and personal items on deck and porch q Remove signs such as Beware of Dog q Remove weeds and dead or dying plants or flowers q Replace welcome mat at the doorway q Re-sod bare spots on lawn
Comparison of Selected Remodeling Projects
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