Staging

General Comments

• Most carpets need to be professionally cleaned.
• Check all light fixtures. Replace all burnt out light bulbs.
• Make sure there are lamps with adequate bulbs in dark corners and they are turned on for showings.
• Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings.
• Repair and replace broken light fixtures and switch plates. Clean any dirty areas around them.
• Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let in light and views. The extra expense for additional heating or air-conditioning is a necessary cost of selling.
• Reduce the number of pillows on sofas to two or fewer. Remove all blankets.
• Houseplants need to be pruned or discarded.
• Fireplaces need to be cleaned out. Glass doors should be cleaned.
• Reduce the number of books on shelves.
• Reduce the number of family pictures on shelves, pianos, and tables.
• Reduce the number of wall-hung photos and paintings in every room to one large piece on a wall or small groups of three. Make sure they are hung at eye-level.
• Keep soft music playing at all times for showings.
• Be sensitive to odours, because buyers are. You can't sell it if you can smell it.
• Wash all windows and make sure they are open freely in summer. If any seals are broken, then get them fixed.
• Repair items that are broken, to show that you take care of your home.
• Don't be afraid to move furniture from room to room.
• Oil squeaky doors.
• Touch up chipped paint.
• Air the house before all showings.
• In general, pack up the little things, which create clutter.

Bathrooms:

• Clear off the counters. Leave only perfumes out and arrange them neatly.
• Replace all hard soap with a bottle of liquid soap.
• Coordinate all towels using one or two colours and hang neatly every day, folded in thirds.
• Clear everything out of the shower and tub, except for one bottle of liquid soap and one shampoo and conditioner.
• Clean or replace the shower curtain. Keep shower curtains drawn at all times.
• One common problem in alot of bathrooms is cracking or peeling just above the top of the shower tile or tub where it meets the drywall or ceiling. Repair using caulking or paint.
• Get rid of mould or stains throughout the bathroom, especially in the shower and bathtub area.
• Many tube and showers need a fresh bead of silicon caulking around the edges to make them look neat and clean.
• Repair leaky taps and toilets.
• Remove all rugs.
• Hide cleaning supplies and empty the trash can.
• Most importantly, keep toilet lids down at all times.

Bedrooms:

• Make the beds every day.
• Invest in new bedspreads if necessary.
• Clear off bedside tables and drawers except for a few necessary items.
• Sotre extras books and magazines underneath the bed.
• Keep the closet doors closed. For walk-in closets, keep the floor clean and free of laundry and shoes.
• Reduce the number of photos on tables and drawers to a minimum.
• Take down posters in children's rooms.
• Repair any nail holes and paint the walls.

Basements:

• Be aware of all unpleasant smells, musty odours, and dampness. Alleviate problemsby repairing and cleaning problem areas. Use disinfectant sprays and aromatic perfumes to help eliminate odours.
• Make sure all lighting is working
• Clean furnance and humidifier.
• Tidy up the basement and clear away any objects near the furnace and hot water heater.
• Consolidate stored items in one corner of one area of the basement.
• Repaiar any cracks in the ceilings and walls.
• Clear any drains.

Dining Room:

• Clear off dining room table for a single centrepiece.
• Remove tablecloth.
• Remove extra leaves from the table.
• Remove extra dining room chairs. Four or six chairs are enough.
• Clear off the buffet and declutter corner cabinets.

Hallways and Closets:

• Remove any plastic runners in hallways.
• Tidy up closets.
• Make sure closet doors close easily.
• Make sure nothing falls of the closet shelf when the door is opened.

Kitchen:

• Clear off counters. Leave out only what is essential for day-to-day living.
• Leave out a few large, decorative items such as a bowl.
• Clean stained tile grout with bleach or re-grout.
• Remove all photos, childrens drawings, and so on, from the refrigerator.
• Clean stove and refrigerator.
• Tighten latches.
• Clean the stove top and oven. Replace old burner pans.
• Clean all exhaust fans, filters, and hoods.
• Clean the kitchn floor and keep it clean for showings.
• Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty on a daily basis.
• Make sure the kitchen faucet does not drip and works smoothly.
• Clear everything off the window ledges.
• Remove any rugs.
• Empty the garbage regularly to prevent kitchen odours.
• Move the dog and cat dishes so that they don't interfere with buyers walking around the room.

Laundry Room:

• Put soaps and cleaners in the cupboard or arrange neatly on a shlef.
• Clean washer and dryer.
• Keep counters and sinks clean and empty.
• Get rid of excess hangers and hanging laundry.

Living Room, Family Room and Bonus Room:

• Clear off all coffee tables and end tables. Leave only two or three items on each.

Decks, Walkways, Porches and Patios:

• Sweep all decks, walkways, porches and patios. Keep them swept.
• Remove all vines.
• Pressure-wash and stain or paint decks, if the need it.
• Reduce clutter on decks, porches and patios.
• Get rid of old flowerpots, planters, toys and construction materials.
• Store the grill and excess furniture.
• Create one simple setting with clean furniture.

Garage:

• Organize the garage. Store items neatly in one area.
• Sweep the floor.
• Keep the garage doors down at all time.
• Keep cars out of the garage and parked on the street.
• Move recreational vechiles to storage.

Front Door and Entry:

• Repaint or repair front door and steps.
• Repaint and repair handrails and banisters.
• Trim bushes near front door.

Front yard:

• Cut back to window height all shrubs that block light or views.
• Put all toys into one corner.
• Clean and sweep paved driveways. Rake and weed.

Landscaping:

• Rake and weed flower beds. Mulch and add wood chips.
• Remove all dead plants.
• Mow lawn and keep it mowed.
• Trim tree branches near the guttering.

Rear yard:

• Remove extra items from the yard.
• Keep Children's toys in one corner. Store them neatly.

Roof and Fences:

• Clean all debris from gutters.
• Replace gutters and downspouts, if necessary.
• Repair broken fences and paint, if necessary.