Before listing your home and opening it to visitors there are things you can do to make the sale faster and the price higher. Tomorrow we will get into aesthetics, today we are going to examine some basic updates and clean-ups that will make your home appear modern and solid. With just a few small low-cost efforts your home will convey to its visitors that is has been well-cared for and maintained.

The list of activities is based on common sense so for most of us this list is more like a reminder checklist than new information but I bet there will be a few ahas for even the most experienced of home sellers!

Lets begin from the inside out starting with the electric systems and fixtures.

1. Make sure each bulb works and each socket has a bulb (burnt out or missing bulbs tend to make buyers think that the lights are not working or the wiring is faulty).
2. Make sure all electrical outlets are working.
3. Dust and clean each light fixture and ceiling fan (especially fan blades which tend to get very dusty).
4. Minimize the appearance of extension cords and overloaded sockets.
5. If overhead fixtures have broken or missing globes/shades replace them.

Housewide

1. Vacuum out registers and air returns.
2. Fix cracks and holes in walls.
3. Fix cracked, broken, torn, or lifting tiles or flooring
4. Remove cobwebs from ceilings and walls

Natural Lighting

1. Clean the windows - no streaks or spots allowed!
2. Replace any broken or cracked panes.
3. Use a razor blade to remove paint from glass panes in windows.
4. Repair any torn window/door screens.
5. Make sure doors and windows close tightly without resistance.
6. Clean sills, sashes, and molding

Kitchen/Dining Room

1. Clean the stove top and the burner recesses.
2. Clean the top and the inside of the hood where grease and dust can build up.
3. Clean the handles on the oven, refridgerator, and dishwasher where finger prints and hand prints can build up.
4. Organize your cupboards and make sure the doors and drawers are closed and that they line up with the frame (fixing unaligned doors/drawers can be as easy as tightening the hinges).
5. Make sure surfaces - tables, counters, exposed shelving, etc - are cleaned and dust free.

Other Rooms

1. Give each and every inch of the home a good deep cleaning-that includes walls, doors, and under things! 
2. Make sure all doors and closet doors close properly and fix any doors that don’t line up with the doorframe and sliding/pocket doors that run off the guide rails.
3. Add lighting in darker rooms and areas.
4. Fix dripping faucets and shower heads.
5. Bleach any dingy grout in tiled areas.
6. Clean blinds and drapes.
7. Check for leaks, cracks, signs of moisture in the basement and attic and have them repaired.

And Outside The Home

1. Clean the garage so that it gets the same level of detail as the home.
2. Soak up grease stains and clean the floor of the garage.
3. Powerwash or scrub sidewalks, patios, driveways, and decks.
4. Make sure exterior lighting works and is sufficient for visitors or drive-by prospects.
5. Trim shrubs and landscaping plants (even in winter the yard needs to appear orderly).
6. Make sure doorbell works.
7. Welcome mats and floormats should be clean and in good shape.
8. Clean and spruce up the entryway including the door, mailbox, hardware, etc.

Now that the house is clean and in good repair, it is time to set the stage. Tune in tomorrow for more information on that - and some great words of wisdom from my colleague (a professional stager) Sandy Scanlon.