PrepareDocuments, repairs, presentation
MarketPhotos, access, launch
CloseOffers, repairs, move
1. Clarify the sale plan
- Identify your preferred sale and move dates, financial goal, replacement-housing needs, and flexibility.
- Gather mortgage and lien information, tax bills, survey, title documents, permits, warranties, repair records, and utility information.
- List major improvements with approximate dates and costs.
- Discuss occupancy, pets, showings, security, and who must approve decisions.
2. Exterior and entrance
- Remove clutter, seasonal debris, damaged décor, and obvious trip hazards.
- Address peeling paint, loose railings, damaged steps, drainage issues, and visible deferred maintenance.
- Trim landscaping, clean windows, improve lighting, and make the front entrance feel cared for.
- Confirm the house number, lock, doorbell, and exterior lights function properly.
3. Interior presentation
- Declutter counters, closets, storage areas, basements, garages, and high-traffic rooms.
- Deep clean kitchens, bathrooms, floors, windows, appliances, and visible mechanical areas.
- Repair obvious leaks, holes, loose hardware, damaged trim, nonworking lights, and distracting cosmetic defects.
- Reduce strong odors, excess furniture, personal papers, medications, valuables, and highly personal items.
- Make every room’s purpose easy for a buyer to understand.
4. Before photography and launch
- Finalize included and excluded items, known defects, improvement information, and accurate room details.
- Prepare the home before professional photography rather than relying on digital correction.
- Decide showing notice requirements and create a plan for pets, children, work schedules, and security.
- Keep the home in launch-ready condition during the first days on market when interest may be highest.
5. Review offers by more than price
- Compare financing, proof of funds, deposit, contingencies, requested concessions, occupancy, timing, and likelihood of closing.
- Review estimated net proceeds after mortgage payoff, commission, attorney figures, taxes, credits, and repairs.
- Understand inspection, appraisal, financing, and attorney-review steps.
- Choose the offer that best balances net value, certainty, timing, and acceptable risk.
6. Contract-to-closing checklist
- Maintain the home in agreed condition and do not remove included fixtures or items.
- Complete negotiated work correctly and retain receipts and documentation.
- Coordinate utilities, movers, keys, final cleaning, mail, insurance, and final walk-through condition.
- Confirm closing instructions and required identification directly with the professionals handling the transaction.
Get a property-specific preparation plan.
Cheryl can help identify which improvements may matter, what may not be worth doing, and how to organize the sale around your next move.
Request a Personalized Home-Value ReviewThis checklist provides general educational information and is not an inspection, appraisal, repair recommendation, legal advice, tax advice, or guarantee of sale. Consult the appropriate professionals.