16. Clean thoroughly. Clean houses sell
more easily than dirty ones.
17. Put high-intensity light bulbs in every lamp -- then turn them on to
give your home a friendly glow.
18. Brighten things inexpensively with a fresh coat of paint in neutral,
buyer-friendly shades.
19. Consider repainting woodwork instead of hanging new wallpaper.
20. Move out all your excess furniture to make rooms seem as spacious as
possible.
21. Clean your closets to make them look bigger. Store off-season clothes,
and get rid of the excess.
22. Hold a garage sale, and use the money for home improvement expenses.
23. Wash all windows and mirrors.
24. Have carpeting cleaned. If it's too worn, consider replacing it --
you may not entirely recover the cost, but your house may sell faster.
25. Launder or dry clean drapes and curtains as needed.
26. Clear small appliances, dish racks, and other items off kitchen counters
to make counters look more spacious.
27. Clean and reorganize kitchen cabinets.
28. Clean the oven and all appliances, wiping up grease splatters and polishing
chrome surfaces.
29. Put a plant or fresh flowers on the kitchen counter.
30. Polish and clean the tub, toilet and bathroom sink.
31. Clean tile grout, regrouting if necessary.
32. Buy a new shower curtain -- you can always take it with you when you
move.
33. Put out fresh towels and new soap when the house is to be shown.
34. Clean the furnace and air conditioner. Turn on the one appropriate
to the season to make your home comfortable.
35. Fix all the little things you've lived with -- like loose doorknobs,
drawer pulls, towel racks, etc.
36. Tack down loose molding and glue any lifted wallpaper. Replace cracked
switch plates.
37. Fix sticking doors and windows, squeaking doors and wobbly banisters.
38. Fix leaky faucets and remove water stains.
39. Spray for insects well in advance of an Open House, so the odor has
time to clear.
