Home > Sellers > First Impression Checklist Positive first impressions of a prospective home buyer mean so much to the successful sale of your home that making even a small effort to ensure a good impression can pay off with big returns. This checklist covers many of the little things that will ensure that your home shows well, from the outside to the inside: Exterior (More so for Single Detached Homes) Keep lawns groomed, hedges neatly trimmed and weed flowerbeds. Clean out your garage or carport to show off its full size. Clean the outside windows or dirt and grime, repair any broken panes. Oil all the gate hinges and latches; make any required repairs to fences. Remove dead limbs and branches from trees - especially evergreens. Check to ensure that all outside lights are in working order, house numbers are clean and easy to read. Touch up exterior paint as required, especially on the street-side. Keep walkways and exterior stairs clean of leaves, snow, etc. Clean roof gutters to avoid "waterfalls" on rainy days. Don't let anything obstruct the street view of your "For Sale" sign. Interior Wash down or paint the entry walls to continue the good first impression. Repair drawers and cupboard doors that squeak, stick or don't close. Fix hard-to-open windows and doors - especially closet doors. Repair leaky faucets or toilets that run continuously or not at all. Replace loose tiles, re-grout if needed, and ensure to scrub away any mildew. Since you are going to move, start removing all clutter from every room, get rid of or put into storage anything you can live without; pay particular attention to the basement clutter - you will be amazed at how much larger the rooms will all look! Use some elbow grease and give the kitchen a good scrub - make the walls, cabinets, appliances, counters, and sinks really shine. Make sure the closets are clear of everything except clothes that are neatly hung or folded to best show the actual size of the closets. Lighting is important! Use appropriate bulb wattage to lighten dark areas. Showings Open all drapes and curtains to let the maximum natural light in - make sure the windows are all clean. Avoid cooking meals that might cause a lingering odor; let lots of fresh air in. Put large pets outside; ensure all pets are kept away from prospects; try to eliminate any pet odors. Ideally, leave the house while it is being shown. If this is not possible, then let the realtor do the talking; unless asked by the realtor do not join the tour of your home. Let the realtor representative negotiate the sale.