Before You List : Your Complete Home Prep Checklist

Getting your home ready to sell does not have to be overwhelming. Most of what makes the difference is not expensive. It is just about looking at your home the way a buyer is going to look at it. Fresh eyes. Critical eyes. Eyes that notice the fingerprints on the light switches and the smell the second they walk in the door.

This checklist covers what actually matters before your home goes live on MLS. Work through it at your own pace. If you have questions about any of it, call me.

Outside First Impressions

Buyers decide how they feel about a home before they step inside. Make the outside count.

• Clean the front entrance. Sweep, wipe down the door, remove cobwebs.
• Clean all outdoor light fixtures and replace any burned out bulbs.
• Cut the grass, pull the weeds, and pick up any pet waste.
• Clean the pool if you have one. Remove leaves and debris.
• Shovel and salt walkways in winter. No icy front steps.
• Tidy up the garage exterior and any visible side yards.

Inside: The Details Buyers Notice

These are the things buyers see even when they are not looking for them.

• Clean all light switches and replace any cracked or broken switch plates.
• Replace every burned out light bulb. Dark rooms feel smaller.
• Touch up paint where walls are scuffed, chipped, or damaged.
• Fix small visible damage. A loose handle or a cracked tile gets noticed.
• If any rooms have bright or neon colours, repaint with neutral tones.
• Declutter around the furnace and utility areas. Replace the furnace filter.
• Open or remove heavy curtains and blinds. Let in as much natural light as possible.
• Keep the area around the electrical panel clear.

Declutter and Depersonalize

Buyers need to picture themselves living here. Make it easy for them.

• Remove or store family photos, religious items, and personal mementos.
• Clear the fridge of magnets, notes, and photos.
• Clear bathroom and kitchen countertops. Put away the Kleenex boxes and soap dispensers.
• Organize or remove items in cupboards with glass doors. Keep it simple.
• Remove extra furniture if rooms feel crowded. Less is more.
• Remove gym equipment, seasonal decor, and boxes from living spaces.
• Organize the garage, closets, and storage areas. Neat piles are fine. Chaos is not.
• Remove or store jewelry and any high-value items that could go missing.

Pets

Not every buyer is a pet person. This is not personal. It is just the reality.

• Remove or store all pet items before showings: beds, bowls, litter boxes, scratching posts.
• Make a plan to have pets out of the home for every showing. Every single one.
• Address any pet smells. This one is hard to notice yourself. Ask someone honest.
• Vacuum and clean pet hair from furniture and floors before the photographer arrives.

Smells Matter More Than You Think

People walk in and make up their mind in the first 30 seconds. Smell is a big part of that.

• Address tobacco smells. This requires more than an air freshener.
• Neutralize pet odours. Clean carpets, furniture, and anywhere pets spend time.
• Avoid cooking strong-smelling foods on showing days.
• Do not overdo air fresheners. Heavy perfume smells mask something and buyers know it.

Once the Sign Goes Up

Your home is on the market. That means it needs to stay show-ready on short notice.

• Keep up with outdoor maintenance. The lawn does not stop growing because your house is for sale.
• Keep all indoor areas clean and tidy at all times.
• Avoid cooking strong-smelling meals on days when showings are scheduled.
• Pets out of the house for every showing. Make a standing plan.
• Be ready to leave on short notice. Showings do not always give a lot of warning.

These are recommendations, not rules. Every home is different and every situation is different. If you are not sure whether something is worth doing before you list, ask me. I will give you an honest answer.

Simon Royer, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Icon Realty
226-218-6875 | simonsayzsold.ca | [email protected]
RE/MAX Icon Realty Brokerage, 33-620 Davenport Rd, Waterloo ON N2V 2C2

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.