Spring Cleaning and Home Staging Checklist

The Mother of All Home Staging Checklists

When you are ready to sell a home that has been lived in by a real live family, there are many things you can do to give a positive first impression to potential buyers.  Home Stagers are professionals who can help you with this process but often you can do much of the work yourself if you know where to start. 

You are not meant to exhaustively work through the following checklists. Some items are not applicable. The list is a way to get you started on freshening your home before you list it for sale. 

Lawn & Garden

·       Neaten all outside areas by removing fallen leaves and branches.

·       Tidy garden beds by filling in with fresh bark chips.

·       Coil hoses neatly.

·       Plant some instant color.

·       Trim shrubs & trees so they are not blocking windows.

·       Keep up with weeding and mowing.

·       Use a lawn patch product for filling in bare spots.

·       See that pets are cleaned up after.

·       Put rakes, shovels, lawnmower and trash cans out of sight.

·       Power wash patios and decks.

·       Place a table and chairs or an attractive bench in the yard or on patio or deck.

·       If the client has a pool, it must be cleaned and kept spotless. Remove pool toys, rafts, etc.

·       Set up a table outside as though there is about to be a festive meal.

·       Remove empty pots and dead or sick-looking potted plants.

·       Remove any debris/materials from past projects.

·       Neaten play areas.

·       Try to open up any dark areas of the yard by trimming back vegetation.

Curb Appeal

·       Exterior house color/condition. Recommend paint?

·       Power wash all driveways and walkways.

·       Wash the outside of the house with a regular garden sprayer.

·       Clean around eaves.

·       Replace the mailbox if needed, or freshen it up with paint.

·       Replace, repaint, or polish house numbers.

·       Replace dated outdoor light fixtures.

·       Add hanging baskets.

·       Front door–clean, paint if needed.

·       Clean the windows inside and out.

Interior: Help for Every Room

·       Spring cleaning!

·       Spray WD-40 in any squeaky door and cabinet hinges.

·       Dust thoroughly. Don't forget baseboards.

·       Remove all but the essential furniture.

·       Slipcover(s)

·       Throw pillows

·       Paint the interior walls.

·       Update lighting fixtures if the budget allows.

·       Make sure all of the light fixtures are working properly.

·       Put in bright light bulbs, as bright as is recommended for each fixture.

·       Free any windows that are painted shut.

·       Remove blinds/curtains/drapes that are not in good shape.

·       Keep window coverings open for showings. Let in as much natural light as you can.

·       Remove window coverings that do not look fresh and up-to-date.

·       Replace broken or cracked glass in windows - homeowner or a handyman can do this.

·       Have the client put away (or remove to storage) all valuables, especially small items.

·       Collections of toys, dolls, or anything else that may be on display must be put away.

·       Put away DVDs/CDs.

·       Put away family photos, awards, certificates, and most art work.

·       Also put away decorative figurines and other items that may take up space on bookshelves and mantles.

·       Buy new switches and switch plates as well as outlet covers.

·       Do not keep stacks of old magazines where they can be seen.

·       Book shelves must be edited and arranged.

·       Make each room have a distinct purpose.

·       A few large scented candles placed around the house are always a good idea!

·       Remove throw rugs if they are on carpet. Remove any throw rugs that look worn-out.

·       Houseplants that are not thriving should be removed.

·       Put away mail (bills to pay, etc.) in a drawer.

·       Pets – put away food, clean cages, tanks, beds, etc.

·       No pets for showings if possible.

Entry, Family, and Living Rooms

·       If shoes are kept by the front door, put them somewhere else.

·       Open up a small entryway by painting it a light color (LIGHT, not white).

·       Empty the coat racks and catch-all tables or shelves in entry.

·       Place a tray on the coffee table set with a tea pot and cups, napkins, and a bud vase with fresh flowers.

Kitchen & Dining

·       Eat-in kitchens should have a table and chairs in it.

·       Plastic paper towel holders have to be removed.

·       Have client buy a new, attractive dishtowel or have a supply of your own that you give or lend out for your homes.

·       Bowls are baskets of fruits are excellent. Use the real kind, no plastic.

·       Cabinets–new pulls/handles/knobs, paint if needed.

·       Organize, neaten, and clean the insides of the cabinets – make space everywhere.

·       Remove every single item from counter tops.

·       Clean the counter so it is shiny.

·       Shine faucets and knobs and use Turtle Wax to keep them from getting water spots.

·       Remove everything that is hanging on the front of the refrigerator.

·       Garbage and recycling must be out-of-sight, under the kitchen sink.

·       If the home has a dining room, make it look like a dining room and set nice table.

·       Follow previous advice for all rooms.

Bedrooms & Closets

·       Make bedrooms into bedrooms. Set up “show beds” where needed.

·       Put away everything other than essential furniture, one or two lamps, and an alarm clock.

·       Large candles or fresh flowers are excellent.

·       All "back of door" hanging items must be put away.

·       Clear night stands.

·       Take down all posters, photos, pictures, drawings, awards, etc.

·       Thin out toy collections.

·       Baby changing areas should be stripped down to the bare essentials.

·       Diaper pails should not be visible or "smellable".

·       Re-fold and stack neatly all sheets, towels, etc. in linen closet.

·       Take what is not needed out of closets and store items elsewhere.

·       Arrange closets by like items and color. Line shoes up neatly.

·       Closets should have doors.

·       Follow previous advice for all rooms.

Bathrooms

·       Put up a new shower curtain unless current one is spotless and looks up-to-date.

·       Have client empty bathroom trash cans for showings.

·       Put away toilet cleaner, toilet brush, and plunger since they add to clutter.

·       Luxurious towels!

·       Remove everything from the counter top.

·       All personal items (grooming items, etc.) must be out of sight.

·       Buy new faucets if worn out looking or have rust or scale deposits that cannot be removed.

·       Leaky faucets must be repaired.

·       Shine faucets and knobs and use Turtle Wax to keep them from getting water spots, same as for kitchen.

·       Scrub the tiles and bleach the grout.

·       Caulk shower/tub and sink area if needed.

·       New vanity knobs, if needed.

·       No reading material visible.

·       Diaper pails should be visible or smellable.

·       Re-fold and stack neatly all sheets, towels, etc. in linen closet.

Home Office Help

·       Remove file cabinets–one is ok.

·       Clear off desk except for computer and lamp.

·       Put away papers that may contain personal or business information; check the fax machine, too.

·       Follow previous tips for every room.

Exercise Room

·       Air the room out.

·       If exercise room is set up in an extra bedroom, consider turning it back into a bedroom.

·       If the room will continue to be used as an exercise room, remove clutter and make space.

·       Personal items like shoes, water bottles, and towels must be kept out of sight.

·       Follow previous advice for all rooms.

Laundry, Basement & Garage

·       Organize basement.

·       Laundry area–cheerful rug in front of washer/dryer.

·       A fresh coat of white paint will do wonders.

·       Put all detergents and laundry items out of sight.

·       Remove everything that is not essential.

·       Clean washer and dryer with spray cleaner to get them nice and shiny-new looking

Odor Control

·       Control cigarette smoke odor – no smoking in the house.

·       Pet odors must be kept under control.

·       Sprinkle baking soda on carpets before vacuuming.

·       No cooking foods with strong, lingering odors. Strong spices and fish are to be avoided.

·       Put a container of baking soda in refrigerator for odor control.

·       Clean thoroughly with bleach water around the base of the toilet.

·       Air the house out often.