Dave Roach

A prospective buyer will usually enter through your front door; so, that is where you should begin your interior inspection and clean-up.

You want your buyer to see a neat, clean, well-lit interior.

Get clutter out of sight; ensure that carpets are clean and floors are scrubbed and polished; and that walls and trim show fresh paint (preferably neutral or light colours).

Take a sniff. Are there any unpleasant odours in your home? If so, track them down and eliminate them. Perhaps get the carpets deodorized when cleaned.

Ensure all your lights work and light fixtures are free of cobwebs. You want your home to look spacious, bright and fresh.

Lose the family memorabilia. Your objective is to help potential buyers feel as if they could live in your home. That mental leap is tough if your house resembles a shrine to you and your family.

Check floors for squeaks, stairs for loose boards, carpeting for rips and tears, and stairs for missing or loose handrails and guards.

Ensure doors open and shut properly. Minor sticking is normal but excessive binding indicates possible structural problems.

Open and close all windows to ensure they work properly. Fogging between the panes of a sealed window indicates the seal is broken and the unit needs to be replaced. Do it!

Things to do OUTSIDE!

Remove any clutter in the yard

Repair cracked or uneven driveway or walkway surfaces

If the lawn has bald spots, apply some top dressing and re-seed. Prune trees and shrubs of dead wood. Weed and mulch flower beds, if you have them. Consider buying some flower-filled planters to enhance the eye appeal of the property. Make sure the lawn is mowed.

Are the windows and walls clean?

Does the front door need paint?

Ensure the eaves and downspouts are clear of debris and in good repair. Buyers don't want maple trees growing out of the eaves.

Is the backyard deck and walkway clean? Consider power washing.

If there is a swimming pool, are the deck and pool clean

Do all outside lights work? Replace any burned out bulbs, and clean fixtures of dirt and cobwebs

Is there a shed? Does it look presentable?

Do windows and exterior doors need recaulking? Even at 6-7 years of age, the caulking may be dried out and in need of replacement.

If you have a gate, is it well oiled?

Book the movers right away! Get estimates from several companies. Check their estimated time for the job as well as their rates. Try to get a fixed price so you won't have any surprises. The more you do, like packing, the less the job will cost.

If you own your present home, call the utility companies (gas, water, electricity) and arrange to have the meters read the day you transfer the ownership. Have the bills forwarded to your new address.

Arrange the switchover of your phone & cable or satellite TV.

Arrange to move the water softener if you're taking it or arrange for a new install at your new home. The same goes for your central vacuum.

Arrange for the rented equipment contracts to be transferred to the new owner. Provide their name and contact numbers.

If you're renting, tell your landlord. In writing. With enough notice.

Don't forget to get any deposits back.

For your new home, make arrangements to get the gas, electricity, water, telephone, cable TV connected on the day you take possession. Make sure you have someone assigned to give access to these folks. They don't wait around.

Notify the post office to change your address and forward your mail. This is a great time to leave the junk mail behind. Have your mail forwarded from your old address for a year. When your mail is forwarded, only notify the people you wish to continue to receive mail from.

Get change of address cards from the post office to notify your friends and businesses of your move.

Don't forget to notify any regular home services of your move. Folks like the lawn care people, magazines, diaper service and things like that.

Have your bank manager give you a letter of introduction to your new branch.

Transfer or cancel your memberships in the gym, social clubs and so on.

Ask your doctor, dentist, pharmacist and other medical people for referrals and to transfer your records.

Don't forget to change the address on your driver's license and cars.

Make arrangements to move your perishables like plants.

Same goes for pets.

Don't pack flammables. It's illegal for movers to carry them.

Ideally, plan to overlap at least a day or two and take a few deep breaths.

Keep your cool. It's a stressful day for everyone.