Seller's Checklist

UPGRADES TO MAKE BEFORE YOU SELL

Have you decided to put your house on the market?

No matter the motivation behind the move, there are a few things you might want to take care of before putting your house on the market. Specifically, upgrades and maintenance. Let’s look at some of the more prominent upgrades that can help boost the value of your home in the end.

Start with the Basics

Boosting the value of your home doesn’t mean a $50,000 renovation or remodel. Sometimes, just small tweaks and repairs can really make a difference. What is hundreds of dollars in repairs could result in thousands when it comes time to sell.

Some of the basic improvements and tweaks you can make around the house to help boost the value of your home while on the market include:

• A fresh coat of paint throughout
• Installing storm doors
• Replacing old rain gutters
• Insulating the attic
• Inspecting the furnace and/or septic system
• Repairing leaks in plumbing

These updates are only a starting point. It all depends on your home and what needs to be repaired or upgraded. If you need help with plumbing hire The Lazy Plumber. If you have a broken pipe at night make sure to contact round the clock plumbers.

Kitchen and/or Bathroom Remodel

Don’t overlook the power of a beautiful and functional bathroom and kitchen!

Remodelling your bathroom and kitchen spaces can have a significant impact on the value of your home when it comes time to sell. An upgrade to either of these two spaces, often the most used in the house, can create more space, ideal for larger families who fighting over it during busy mornings, while also helping create a more fresh and clean aesthetic that we all seem to desire.

Project	Minor Remodel	Major Remodel
Bathroom	Replace bathtub, vanity, sink, and/or fixtures Replace tile New flooring Re-caulk bathtub and sink Paint and hang fresh artwork Replace old shower doors or remove them altogether	Expand existing space Relocate and replace bathtub and toilet Add luxury sink and faucets Add a linen closet Revamp lighting New countertops Fresh paint and décor
Kitchen	Refacing cabinets and drawers Upgrade countertops to a high-quality stone product, such as granite, quartz or marble Replace sink fixtures and sinks Upgrade lighting and fixtures, and consider undermount lighting Revamp existing cabinets by sanding, painting and/or staining them Paint using neutral colours and add trendy décor	Remove walls to create a more open-concept layout or combine kitchen and dining rooms Upgrade appliances to stainless steel and/or high efficiency Open concept and fewer obstacles

Before starting any renovation, you should always consult an expert. A contractor, architect or real estate agent can provide you with guidance before you embark on this journey to ensure you maximize your profits.

Landscaping

The curb appeal of your home might be more important than you think. Potential buyers do judge a book by its cover, so you want to put your home’s best foot forward from the outset. If there are overgrown bushes and patchy grass, take the time to rectify these and make the best impression on buyers.

If your landscape is usually maintained but needs a little something special, consider updating existing floral arrangements and features. A professional landscaper can help you explore ways to spice up the exterior of your home with walkways, lighting, flower gardens, mulch areas, hedges, and water features.

Exterior Upgrades

Boosting the value of your home doesn’t solely rely on flashy and expensive renovations. Often, it’s just revamping and replacing the basics to ensure that the build and quality of the home are up to par. Some of the best exterior upgrades to think about include: replacing gutters, repainting windows and replacing doors. You should also consider having your roof examined, so there are no surprises come home inspection time.

Revamping these exterior features of your home can help boost curb appeal while creating a safer and more functional home for the person or family who buys your home.

Lighting

Advanced lighting systems can have a significant impact on the value of your home. Buyers are attracted to little things that can make a space more unique and efficient, especially when it comes to lighting. Dimmer switches, skylights, chandeliers and sun tubes might be worth looking into before putting your home on the market.

Create Space

One of the biggest trends of 2018 and the past couple years is open space. Homeowners love being able to walk around and have lots of free space. A minimalistic layout can definitely help create more space in your home.

Try arranging furniture in small groupings. This can give a room or space a purpose while opening up space that may have otherwise been used inefficiently. If you aren’t sure where to begin with arranging your furniture, a home stager may be able to help. There are many benefits of staging your home before putting it on the market.

If you have lots of cupboards and counter space, why not consider removing the island in the middle of your kitchen? Some may argue that it provides additional storage and room to cook, but if your kitchen already has optimal storage and counter space, ditch the island. It can really open up your kitchen and make it more appealing to buyers.

SELLER’S CHECKLIST

Review the questions below to ensure your home looks the best it possibly can in the buyer’s eyes.

Exterior:

Does your yard look well maintained?

Are the trees and bushes trimmed?

Is your lawn mowed and edged?

Is your lawn free of weeds?

Are the decks and patios clean?

Does your house need painting?

Are there any exterior holes or cracks?

Are your walks and porches clean and in good repair?

Does your roof leak or sag?

Are any shingles or tiles missing?

Is your chimney in good shape?

Carpeting/Walls/Ceilings:

Are your carpets clean and in good condition?

Do your carpets need stretching?

Are there any pet or smoking odors?

Do your walls have any cracks or holes?

Do your walls need painting?

What about that wallpaper?

Do your ceilings have any water stains, cracks or peeling?

Do your ceilings need painting?

Kitchen:

Are your appliances clean and in good working order?

Are your cabinets in good condition?

Are your countertops in good condition?

Is your tile grout clean?

Is your sink stained, chipped, or in need or re-caulking?

Bathroom:

Do your faucets shut off completely?

Do your sinks drain freely?

Are your toilets in good condition?

Are your shower doors shiny?

Do your tubs need caulking?

Is your floor in good condition?

Are your vanities and mirrors in good condition?

Living Room:

Is your fireplace clean?

Is the fireplace screen in good shape?

Are all drapes, shutters and shades clean and working properly?

Are any window screens bent?

Do all the windows open and close easily?

Are the windowsills clean?

Are your doors in good condition?

Do any doors sag or stick?

Do the locks work?

Is the paint in good condition?

Do the doors seal tightly?

Basement/Attic:

Is your basement/attic organized?

Are they well lit?

Are they clean?

Are the stairs in good repair?

Do the doors open and close easily?

Are there any signs of insects or rodents?

Garage:

Is your garage organized?

Is it well lit?

Is the floor swept?

Are there oil spots or other stains on the concrete?

Enclosed information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.