INSIDE YOUR HOME
Is what you see clean and organized? Is there an odour? Old shoes? Stale cooking? Garbage? Pets? If there is, it could be a deterrent to potential purchases. Bake cookies or simmer potpourri before your home is shown to give your place a comforting smell. Also, clean your carpets and air out your home.
Carpets
Cleaning them is fairly inexpensive. With the carpet pile looking fresh,your home takes on a new appearance.
Walls
Work your way from the ground up. Wash the walls or repaint soiled areas. Touch up chips or plaster nicks. If you've used severe designs or dark colours on your walls, you may wish to repaint your home sothat has a more neutral move-in appearance. Also check the ceiling and plaster and repaint it white if necessary. Take a broom around and brush your walls and light fixtures to remove any cobwebs.
Clean and Shine
Put extra emphasis on your kitchen and bathroom. Replace moldy shower curtains and clean mold and mildew off the bathroom tiles. Caulk if necessary. Repair leaky faucets and replace cracked toilet seats. Ensure that the toilet flushes properly. Make certain that the drains are unclogged. Everything should sparkle -- faucets, floors, counters, mirrors. What can be cleaned, should be!
Kitchen
Clean the stove and refrigerator, organize the cupboards and wash the floor. Make certain your appliances work. Wipe the walls, touch-up paint or re-stick wall paper if necessary. Clean the sink and ensure that it drains properly and the faucet doesn't leak. (When your home is shown, make sure there are no dirty dishes in the sink and don't forget to take out garbage out!)
Floors and Stairs
Replace missing or damaged tiles. Do the floors look clean? Does the wood need a good sanding and varnishing?
