Home Maintenance Checklist for Selling a House
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What home repairs and maintenance are most important when selling a house? First impressions are critical, so curb appeal should be a huge priority for home sellers. Many buyers will decide if they like a home before ever stepping in the front door. Once inside, a clean, well-maintained home with neutral, updated finishes will have buyers dreaming of moving in and making it their own. Here’s a checklist of 10 home maintenance items for sellers who want to appeal to the most buyers and maximize home selling price.
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Exterior Home Maintenance to Boost Curb Appeal
1. Clean and re-stain or repaint the siding if needed.
House siding is the biggest part of your home that buyers will see from the street, so make sure it looks clean and well-maintained. Vinyl siding can be power-washed to remove grime and mildew. If your house paint is faded, cracked or peeling, or if the paint color is generally unappealing, consider repainting your house. A good painting contractor can also repair damaged wood, and replace missing or damaged caulk between joints and around windows and doors to weather seal. Exterior house painting might seem like a big project to take on before selling a home, but it can make a big difference in curb appeal and selling price.
2. Make your windows and front door shine.
Dirty windows and faded or peeling paint on wood trim can make your whole house look drab and unkempt. Take time to clean your windows inside and out, including the screens, window sills, frames and shutters. Replace missing or damaged caulk around windows, doors and trim. It’s important for weather sealing, and should be done before any exterior painting. Repainting the front door with a cheerful color can help create a bright, welcoming entrance.
3. Garage doors need attention, too.
Give your garage door a thorough cleaning and inspect it for rust, especially on the bottom panel, which is most exposed to winter snow and salt. If the finish needs a refresh, a professional painter can likely repaint your entire garage door for less than the cost of replacing a single panel.
4. Clean out the gutters and have your roof inspected.
Damaged or clogged gutters can contribute to foundation damage, roof leaks, and landscape erosion, so clean them regularly. Your roof is a big ticket item to replace, so potential buyers will be keenly interested in its condition. If your roof is more than a few years old, consider having a qualified roofing contractor inspect your roof and provide an estimate of its expected lifespan, so there are no surprises at the home inspection.
5. Decks and porches should look ready for relaxing.
Declutter and give your outdoor spaces a good scrubbing, then check for peeling paint and wood damage. All exterior wood structures need regular maintenance and weather sealing. If you pour water on your deck and it soaks in instead of beading on the surface, it needs to be resealed or repainted.
6. Banish exterior grime with pressure washing.
Declutter, sweep, and power wash away dirt, stains or oil spots from sidewalks, driveways, concrete patios and pool decks so they look clean and well-maintained. Decks and house siding can also be pressure washed, but consider hiring a professional to avoid damage.
House siding is the biggest part of your home that buyers will see from the street, so make sure it looks clean and well-maintained. Vinyl siding can be power-washed to remove grime and mildew. If your house paint is faded, cracked or peeling, or if the paint color is generally unappealing, consider repainting your house. A good painting contractor can also repair damaged wood, and replace missing or damaged caulk between joints and around windows and doors to weather seal. Exterior house painting might seem like a big project to take on before selling a home, but it can make a big difference in curb appeal and selling price.
2. Make your windows and front door shine.
Dirty windows and faded or peeling paint on wood trim can make your whole house look drab and unkempt. Take time to clean your windows inside and out, including the screens, window sills, frames and shutters. Replace missing or damaged caulk around windows, doors and trim. It’s important for weather sealing, and should be done before any exterior painting. Repainting the front door with a cheerful color can help create a bright, welcoming entrance.
3. Garage doors need attention, too.
Give your garage door a thorough cleaning and inspect it for rust, especially on the bottom panel, which is most exposed to winter snow and salt. If the finish needs a refresh, a professional painter can likely repaint your entire garage door for less than the cost of replacing a single panel.
4. Clean out the gutters and have your roof inspected.
Damaged or clogged gutters can contribute to foundation damage, roof leaks, and landscape erosion, so clean them regularly. Your roof is a big ticket item to replace, so potential buyers will be keenly interested in its condition. If your roof is more than a few years old, consider having a qualified roofing contractor inspect your roof and provide an estimate of its expected lifespan, so there are no surprises at the home inspection.
5. Decks and porches should look ready for relaxing.
Declutter and give your outdoor spaces a good scrubbing, then check for peeling paint and wood damage. All exterior wood structures need regular maintenance and weather sealing. If you pour water on your deck and it soaks in instead of beading on the surface, it needs to be resealed or repainted.
6. Banish exterior grime with pressure washing.
Declutter, sweep, and power wash away dirt, stains or oil spots from sidewalks, driveways, concrete patios and pool decks so they look clean and well-maintained. Decks and house siding can also be pressure washed, but consider hiring a professional to avoid damage.
Interior Home Maintenance Can Help Seal the Deal
7. Declutter, Depersonalize and Deep Clean
Home buyers love touring sparkling clean houses that are minimally staged, so they can picture their own furnishings in each room. Pack up personal items and family photos, which can distract buyers from your home’s features. Remove outdated and extra furniture to make rooms feel as large as possible.
8. Repaint Walls in Soft Neutral Colors
Bold paint colors are a major turnoff for many home buyers, so repainting before you list your home for sale is a very good investment. Soft shades of white, beige and gray are widely appealing because they create a fresh, clean feel, and make spaces feel larger.
9. Deep Clean, Repair Wall Damage and Touch up Scuff Marks
Clean and inspect every surface in your home for everyday wear and damage. Buyers touring your home will see every grungy corner, dent and scuff mark, so make sure any drywall or plaster damage is repaired. A professional painter can fix more significant drywall damage and match wall texture seamlessly. If you don’t need to repaint, spend time deep cleaning and touching up walls, baseboards, trim and doors, so your home looks clean and well-maintained.
10. Update Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinets with Fresh Paint or Stain
Outdated cabinetry in older homes (think 80’s golden oak) can make home buyers nervous about an expensive kitchen remodel. The great news is you probably don’t have to replace older cabinets and trim, which are often expensive solid wood. Restaining or painting cabinets is an affordable kitchen update that can be done in a couple of weeks with dramatic results. It’s not generally a good DIY project - a lot goes into creating a smooth, durable finish that won’t chip or peel over time - so it’s best to hire a professional painter.
Home buyers love touring sparkling clean houses that are minimally staged, so they can picture their own furnishings in each room. Pack up personal items and family photos, which can distract buyers from your home’s features. Remove outdated and extra furniture to make rooms feel as large as possible.
8. Repaint Walls in Soft Neutral Colors
Bold paint colors are a major turnoff for many home buyers, so repainting before you list your home for sale is a very good investment. Soft shades of white, beige and gray are widely appealing because they create a fresh, clean feel, and make spaces feel larger.
9. Deep Clean, Repair Wall Damage and Touch up Scuff Marks
Clean and inspect every surface in your home for everyday wear and damage. Buyers touring your home will see every grungy corner, dent and scuff mark, so make sure any drywall or plaster damage is repaired. A professional painter can fix more significant drywall damage and match wall texture seamlessly. If you don’t need to repaint, spend time deep cleaning and touching up walls, baseboards, trim and doors, so your home looks clean and well-maintained.
10. Update Bathroom and Kitchen Cabinets with Fresh Paint or Stain
Outdated cabinetry in older homes (think 80’s golden oak) can make home buyers nervous about an expensive kitchen remodel. The great news is you probably don’t have to replace older cabinets and trim, which are often expensive solid wood. Restaining or painting cabinets is an affordable kitchen update that can be done in a couple of weeks with dramatic results. It’s not generally a good DIY project - a lot goes into creating a smooth, durable finish that won’t chip or peel over time - so it’s best to hire a professional painter.
