This check list is a general guide and will help you consider those points that are applicable to your property.
Exterior
Garden / terrace / balcony
- Choose plants to complement the style of the property, for example ‘Iceberg’ roses around a cottage, or strappy plants such as agapanthus in the garden of a modern home
- Tidy and sweep outdoor entertaining areas
- Use some plants in pots around the verandah and balcony areas (tip: for instant cheer, use potted bloomers)
- Keep the lawn edged, cut and watered (*check water restrictions in your suburb)
- Trim hedges, weed lawns and flowerbeds
- Top up mulch on garden beds
- Keep toys, bicycles, roller-skates and gardening equipment out of sight – if necessary buy some cheap, exterior storage containers to hide all those everyday items
House
- Check the foundation, steps, paths, walls and patios for cracks and crumbling mortar – repair if necessary
- Inspect doors and windows for peeling paint – repaint if required
- Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door
- Make sure the front door doesn’t squeak. Check all doors and windows throughout the house and oil them if they creak. Note: invest in an oil can with quality oil and use it.
- Replace old, rusty or broken window and door locks
- Spark up the garden by adding flowering plants to complement the colour scheme and general house surrounds
- Pressure-clean eaves and concrete or paved areas (*check water restrictions in your suburb)
- Purchase a new front door mat
Interior
Entrance / hallway
- Minimise clutter, put away keys etc.
- Add lamps and soft lighting for a welcoming mood
- Throw down a runner carpet in the hallway to add softness and warmth
- Place a vase of fresh flowers on a table to add colour and life
Bedrooms
- Make sure that table tops, dressers and closets are free of clutter
- Hang some fresh curtains
- Store excess furniture with friends or in short term storage. This will create a more spacious feel
- Use quality, neutral or white bed linen
- Introduce colour through cushions
- Ensure there are some fresh flowers in a good vase
Bathrooms
- Ensure bathrooms are clean and odour-free
- Check and repair damaged or unsightly tiles and grout in the tubs and showers
- Clean mould from walls and ceiling. Use a quality chlorine based product (ie diluted bleach) and wear protective clothing such as safety mask and gloves
- Have the carpets steam cleaned by a professional
- Have cracked tiles replaced. If you can’t match the existing tiles, use suitable feature tiles or remnant tiles. Another option is to hide the cracked tile with a bathroom fixture, such as a mirror.
- Repair dripping taps and shower heads
- Buy quality towels for the bathroom and display them only when the house is open for inspection
- Replace old bath mats and shower curtains with new neutral coloured ones
- Replace old or damaged mirrors
Laundry
- Check and repair damaged or unsightly tiles and grout
- Repair dripping taps
- Clean stainless steel tubs
- Clean exhaust fan covers
Kitchen
- Appliances on the bench should be kept to a minimum – only leave out the ones that are attractive. Store other appliances neatly in the cupboards
- Refurbish cabinets by painting and adding new handles if required
- Kitchens should be spotless, so no dirty dishes in the sink
- Present with a vase of flowers or a big plate of fruit
- Brew some fresh coffee or bake some scones or bread just prior to the inspection for a homely smell
Living areas
- Remove any excess furniture clutter
- Make sure that table tops, surfaces and cupboards are free of clutter
- Hang some fresh curtains, get rid of heavy drapes and replace with fabrics that blend with surrounding walls
- Keep curtains and blinds open to allow as much natural light into the house as possible – buyers will be turned off by dark, gloomy rooms
- Check that all light bulbs and switches are working – these may be switched on during an inspection
- Clean all light switches – make sure they are free from dirty marks
- Add a vase of fresh flowers
Garage / attic / basement
- Don’t overfill these areas. Consider short term storage or relocate excess items to friends
- To minimise clutter consider selling all items you no longer need. A garage sale is a good idea
- Remove car from carport or garage
- Check for signs of dampness and mould. Consider putting in vents to improve sub-floor ventilation – this may seem a lot of trouble and expense but it’s well worth doing
- Store old cars and junk with friends or short term storage while the house is on the market
- Remove grease or oil spills from carport or garage floor
- Check garage doors are oiled and check automatic doors are in working order
General
- Give every room in the house a thorough cleaning after removing all the clutter
- If you are pushed for time, hire professional cleaners and/or painters to get your house ready
Home odours
Many homes have odours owners don’t notice, particularly if there are pets, smokers or dampness. So ask a friend to tell you if there are any noticeable smells.
- Introduce quality fragrant products such as potpourri and oils, scented candles, drawer liners and pomanders. Choose products with natural frangrances such as citrus, lavender, sandalwood etc. Don’t use cheap artificial scented deordorisers which can sometimes cause allergic reactions
- Pets do make a house smell, so clean the house thoroughly – clean pet bedding, wash the pet, put the pets outside to sleep if possible and air the house regularly
- Pets should go to stay with the neighbours or family during open inspections
- Steam clean your carpets
- Dry-clean your curtains and bedding
- Give the house a good airing before inspection days. Regular ventilation will minimise odours
Paint
- Repaint dingy, soiled or strongly coloured walls inside and out
- Use neutral colours on interior walls and white on the ceilings to make rooms look bigger
- If you don’t feel confident choosing paint colours, ask a friend or hire a home stylist to offer some advice
- New point jobs smell. Finish painting several weeks before the property is placed on the market
- Wall paint may be old and faded – you won’t match the paint even if you have the original tin of paint at home. Matching fading paint won’t work – consider hanging a painting over it.
Fix / Replace
- Put a bookcase over worn carpet or hang a painting in front of a crack in the wall
- Check that all light bulbs and switches are working – replace all burned out light bulbs
- Oil any cabinet or closet doors that stick
- Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster, skirting boards, window panes, wallpaper, paint, tiles and stained ceilings
- Clean or replace dirty or worn linoleum, or tiles, and refurbish hardwood floors if needed
- Make sure walls, doors, windows and light switches are free of smudges
- Hire a professional window cleaner and get all the windows done inside and out
- Organise and tidy all cupboards and wardrobes including the pantry and kitchen cupboards
- Remove booby traps in the house such as extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low-hanging overhead lights
Finishing touches
- Refresh the potpourri with the natural scented oil ie: lavender or rose
- Remove the magazines from the toilet
- Put out your best quality towels in the bathroom, neatly folded
