If you want potential buyers to choose your property over that of the competition, home staging can make your house stand out from the crowd.

Use this handy checklist to be sure you’re covering all the bases before a showing or open house.

General Checklist:

• Reduce the number of family photos throughout your home.
• Use scented items to create an inviting smell in your home.  Bad odors can deter some buyers.
• Clean all windows inside and out, ensuring they are functioning properly. If during the winter months, cleaning the inside of the windows should be sufficient.
• Repair broken items in your house (doors, cracks, etc.). In most cases buyers will ask for broken items to be repaired.
• Rearrange furniture or move furniture room to room to create more space and open area.
• Vacuum all carpet and hard wood floors.
• Scrub and clean tile and grout throughout your house.
• Empty the garbage daily to reduce odors.
• Repair all holes in walls.

Inside Home:

Bathrooms:

• Clean all surfaces. Put toiletries in drawers or cabinets.
• Leave out a bottle of hand soap or a clean bar of soap, along with a hand towel.
• Fold in thirds on towel racks daily. Purchase new towels if you needed.
• Clear all items out of shower stalls and tubs except for necessities.
• Keep toilet lids closed.
• Hide garbage can and cleaning supplies out of sight.
• Clean the shower curtain, or replace if needed.
• Repair any cracking or peeling areas and clean any moldy areas. Paint if needed.
• Give your shower and tub a fresh bead of silicone caulking around the edges to make them look neat and clean.

Bedrooms:

• Make beds daily and replace bedding if needed.
• Clear off night stands, dressers, etc.
• Pick up all clothes off the floor.
• Store extra books, magazines, or miscellaneous items underneath the bed.
• Keep closet doors closed. If you have a walk-in closet keep the floor clean and free of laundry and clutter.

Closets:

• Make sure the doors open easily. Fix any creaking sounds.
• Arrange items to create a tidier closet.

Den, Family Room, Living Room, Sun Room:

• Clear off all coffee tables and end tables.
• Remove all ashtrays.
• Move pet food bowls out of sight.

Dining Room:

• Clear off dining table, leave a center piece or other decorative item.
• Remove additional leaves from tables to make the room look bigger.

Kitchen:

• Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops.
• Remove all pictures, magnets, drawings, messages, etc. from the refrigerator.
• Repair broken tile or loose corners on counters.
• Clean the stovetop and oven.(Several days prior) Replace burner pans if they are badly stained.
• Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty.
• Remove all soaps, sponges, and supplies out of sight and under the sink.

Laundry Rooms:

• Keep counters and sink clean and empty.
• Make sure that light bulbs are working, replace with higher wattage bulbs to create more light if needed.
• Put soaps, towels, etc. in cupboards.

Outside Home:

• Remove all garbage cans, wood scraps, extra building materials, etc.

Fences:

• Repair broken fences and paint if necessary.

Front Door:

• Stain or paint your front door.  Fix any dings or dents.

House Paint/Paneling:

• Spray down your panels or paints with a mixture of water and soap to help clean off any residue.
• If your house has paint, check to see if it needs to be touched up or repainted.
• Check panels and replace any panels that are broke.

Landscaping:

• Remove any dead plants and weed all planting areas.
• Keep your lawn freshly cut and edged.
• Prune bushes and trees.

Patios and Decks:

• Sweep all walkways and patios or decks.
• Decks should be cleaned, stained or painted if needed.

Roofs:

• Check gutters and roof for dry rot and moss. Be sure to clean the gutters on a regular basis.

Garages:

• Sweep out and organize. Keep storage in garage neat.
• Arrange tools and place into tool chests or containers.