1. Depersonalize. Remove personal items such as pictures, albums, mail etc.

2. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and

magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too.

3. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home.

4. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers.

5. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells.

6. Brighten your room. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any

burned-out bulbs. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint.

7. Address minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained.

8. Maintain the lawn. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters.

9. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

10. Add a touch of color in the living room.  A colored throw or accent pillows on the couch will jazz up a dull room.

11. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress.

12. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one.

13. Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use.

14. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your

bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight.

15. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room.

16. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money.

17. For showings, leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.