Start at the curb
- Mow and edge the lawn, trim the shrubs and pull the weeds
- Sweep the walk, the steps and the porch
- Fresh mulch in the beds, or a planter by the door
- A clean welcome mat and a working porch light
- Make the house number easy to see from the street
- Wash the front door, or give it a fresh coat of paint
Declutter and make room
- Clear every counter down to one or two items
- Clear the tops of dressers, nightstands and the fridge door
- Thin out closets, the basement and the garage by about a third, since buyers open everything
- Put away personal photos, collections and anything with names on it
- Take out a piece or two of furniture in smaller rooms so they feel bigger
- Start packing what you won’t need before the move
Fix the small things
- Replace burnt-out bulbs, and use the same color of bulb in each room
- Fix dripping faucets, running toilets and slow drains
- Tighten loose handles and hinges; fix sticky doors and windows
- Touch up scuffed paint and patch nail holes
- Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks where it’s stained or cracked
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace old batteries
Deep clean
- Windows inside and out, including the tracks
- Baseboards, light switches, doors and trim
- Grout, tile and glass shower doors
- Oven, range hood and the inside of the fridge
- Carpets shampooed if they’re looking tired
- A clean, dry, well-lit basement: run the dehumidifier and clear the floor space
Gather the paperwork
- Recent utility bills (electric, heat, water and sewer) for buyers who ask
- Records of big updates: roof, furnace, water heater, windows, septic
- Any permits for work you’ve done, and warranties that transfer
- Your survey and a copy of your deed, if you have them
- Your HOA or condo documents, if the home is in an association
- A list of what stays and what goes with you
What’s worth fixing, and what isn’t
Spend on what a buyer sees in the first thirty seconds and what an inspector will write down. Paint, lighting, clean floors and small repairs pay for themselves. A new kitchen or bath almost never does before a sale. Buyers would rather pick their own finishes, and they’ll discount the price for anything that looks like a problem.
Not sure about something? Walk the house with me before you spend a dollar. I’ll tell you what buyers in your price range expect and what they’ll overlook.
A few Connecticut specifics
Connecticut sellers fill out a Residential Property Condition Disclosure Report. You know the house best, so it comes from you; I’ll get it to you early so there’s no scramble.
Your attorney will also ask about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and about anything like an oil tank, a well or a septic system. If your home has any of those, let me know when we first talk.
Not sure whether something should stay or go? Text me a photo at 860-329-4820.
General information about Connecticut practice, not legal, tax or financial advice. Every home and every transaction is different.