Preparing the Interior of your home
There are 3 main categories for preparing the interior of your home.
1. Depersonalize
Remove all photos of people (family and friends).
Remove any personal items including: religious items, clubs, trophies, flags, offensive images or words, or other personal decorations or memorabilia.
Reorganize furniture and rooms to define the room and showcase the home
2. Declutter
Think "Less is MORE" when decluttering your home and remove most items from walls, counter/table tops, and shelves. Clear walls of any stickers and or excessive photos. Remove rugs. Remove knick-knacks and decorative items. Other areas to consider for decluttering are pot shelves, top of kitchen cabinets, hutches or any furniture/cabinets with glass doors, dressers & night stands, etc.
3. Deep Clean
Clean the windows (inside & out), wipe down the blinds/curtains/shades, clean ceiling fans & light fixtures, clean on top of cabinets, clean the baseboards, sweep and mop floors, vacuum carpets, wipe down countertops and cabinets, wipe down appliances, replace air filters, clean vents, clean door jams and thresholds, clean faucets and drains.
Tip:
Make sure to do a walk-through with your agent and take notes to any recommendations.
Interior Checklist:
Dust Fans and furniture, sweep/mop floors, clean windows
Remove towels and small rugs (unless staged)
Declutter and clean all surfaces (countertops, dressers, nightstands, etc.)
Use Closets and Garage for excess clutter if needed.
Make all beds and straighten all curtains
Hide all trash cans
Pick up & put away kids/pet toys
Hide visible cords (cable, power cords, etc.)
Turn on all lights including lamps (replace bulbs) Open all curtains and blinds
Keep all televisions and computers off and hide the remote controls.
Hide Sponges, dishes, soap dispensers, & Paper Towels
Clean off refrigerator like magnets.
Put the toilet lids down, hide all shampoo, soap, etc.
Tip:
Do a second walk-through with your agent after completing this checklist and before the photographer arrives.