MY SEDONA REAL ESTATE SELLER CHECK LIST

You must always look at your house through a buyer’s eyes. Try and see your home as the buyer
would for the very first time. I know this can be a hard thing to do especially if you have
become so use to that red wine stain on the carpet. You probably don’t even see it anymore,
but it could be the very first thing a potential buyer notices when walking through the door.

A Handy 14-Point Indoor Home Inspection Checklist

The first thing to do is clean the house from top to bottom. Dust every nook and cranny.
Here is a checklist to work through:

1. Get rid of items that you never use. Check the garage, attic and every room.

2. Organize rooms to make them look uncluttered.
   Rearrange furniture to make each room look as spacious as possible.

3. Put anything you don’t need in storage – hire a storage unit. Any pieces of
   furniture that look “comfortably warn” should be taken off show.

4. After you have cleaned the walls and checked for fingerprints, smudges, dents
   etc do another careful inspection. If the walls are still not 100%, consider
   a fresh coat of paint. Check woodwork, tiles, vinyl, wallpaper etc for signs
   of wear and tear.

5. Check windows and window-sills carefully. Look for chipped paint, signs of leaks etc.
   Even check regularly for dead flies. Consider taking down the curtains or drapes for
   washing or laundering.

6. Wax any linoleum flooring. Clean around the edges and make all the floors look
   sparkling clean.

7. Get rugs and carpets shampooed or hire one of those “do it yourself” carpet-
   cleaning machines. It is better to spend a few dollars now rather than have the
   buyer ask for a “new carpet allowance” as a condition of purchase.

8. Look carefully at the color coordination throughout the house. Does the color
   scheme flow? Does anything clash horribly with the rest of the house?

9. Check for leaking faucets, running toilet systems etc. Strange noises or sounds of water
   flowing can spook a potential buyer. Tiny things can make a buyer wonder what is wrong.

10. Bathrooms need to be cleaned as if you could eat off any surface. They must
    be spotless! Clean baths, showers, toilets and sinks. Replace the shower
    curtain with a new one. Look for water stains, rust or calcium in basins or around
    the fixtures. Check that the caulking around the shower, tub and sink is in
    perfect condition. If not – replace it!

11. Organize the closets to make them look spacious. Store your out of season
    clothes in the storage unit you have hired. It is important that closets look as
    large and as spacious as possible. Also make them smell nice.

12. Look at replacing light switch surrounds. Check that light shades are clean,
    dust free and in keeping with the décor

13. When people visit a strange house their senses are alert to anything unusual
    – sights, sounds and SMELLS. If you have a smoker in the house, then make
    sure your home doesn't smell like an ashtray. Spray some neutral air-
    freshener or use one of those plug-in types. Maybe the old trick of using the
    smell of baking or freshly brewed coffee might be worth considering.

14. If you have pets, then put them outside when a prospective buyer calls.
    Check for fleas, cat fur, dog hairs etc on furniture and flooring. Also be
    aware that some people hate animals and some people are easily frightened
    and intimidated by a barking or over boisterous dog.