GENERAL AREA

The most importing thing to keep in mind is that often less is more. Remember that a clean area makes a space seem larger and more inviting. Often clearing out personal items will allow a potential buyer to imagine themselves in your space.


GUIDELINES

  • Thoroughly clean all visible large surfaces (vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean countertops, clean windows).
  • Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON.
  • Replace all burned out light bulbs.
  • Use bulbs of the same colour temperature i.e. cool white, warm white, daylight.
  • Turn all ceiling fans OFF.
  • Turn all TVs OFF.
  • Turn all computer screens OFF.
  • Lower all horizontal blinds and leave them in an open position. 
  • Open all vertical blinds.

THE EXTERIOR

Front Exterior


  • Close garage doors.
  • Relocate cars away from the driveway and front of the home.
  • Clean up landscaping by cutting grass and trimming trees.
  • Remove empty planters and dead plants.
  • Remove visible water hoses.
  • Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.
  • Remove refuse bin.

Back Yard Exterior


  • Clean patio, tidy up outdoor tables / chairs / cushions.
  • Clear out kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.
  • Clean pool and remove pool cleaners.
  • Hide pool cleaning supplies.
  • Turn on pool fountains/water features
  • Remove visible water hoses
  • Remove refuse bin
  • Clean up landscaping by cutting grass and trimming trees.

THE KITCHEN


  • Clear countertops of any clutter. 
  • Leave out max of 3 small appliances (eg. kettle, toaster, coffee maker).
  • Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
  • Limit kitchen decor to 2 items i.e. fruit bowl with fruit and flowers.
  • Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet.
  • Remove dishes from sink.
  • Hide all cleaning material / items like soaps, towels and liquids.
  • Arrange items on open shelving to look less cluttered and appealing.

THE LIVING ROOM


  • Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc.
  • De-clutter fireplace mantel.
  • Clean interior of fireplace.
  • Fluff and arrange furniture pillows.
  • Remove kid's toys.
  • Hide all electrical wires and cabling. 
  • Turn off the TV.
  • Straighten Furniture
  • Remove excess furniture to better display the space.
  • Remove all personal photos from walls and displays.

THE DINING ROOM


  • Clear table, dust and polish the table top.
  • Use minimal decorative place setting if available.
  • Feature a centrepiece such as a bouquet of flowers.
  • Remove all clutter from table.
  • Straighten all chairs and space them evenly.
  • Remove excess furniture to better display the space.

THE BEDROOM


  • Make bed and display decorative cushions.
  • Iron bed linen and bed skirts.
  • Clear bedside tables of all personal items.
  • Remove all electrical wires and cabling.
  • Remove all clutter from top of dressers.
  • Remove family photos from walls.
  • Remove personalised names from walls.
  • Remove wall stickers / posters.
  • Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos.
  • Hide all visible clothing.

THE BATHROOM


  • Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
  • Put toilet seats down.
  • Replace used toilet roll with a new one.
  • Remove shampoo, soap, etc. from showers and tubs.
  • Remove dirty towels - leave out only new, unused towels.
  • Hide toilet brushes, plungers and laundry baskets.