Uncluttering

Remove small items from shelves, tables and countertops throughout the house. Stash childrens toys, organize drawers and cabinets. Closet floors need to be free with plenty of hanging space. Store family photos, house plants and excessive furniture. Do not forget the outdoors and the garage!

Cleaning

Make the whole house shine! Clean all doors and doorknobs, windows, windowsills and ledges. Wash/dry-clean the curtains and dust the blinds. Scrub showers, tubs, flooring and baseboards. Clean light fixtures, switch plates, skylights and ceiling fans. Make cabinets and drawers shine inside and outside as well as the walls and ceilings. If you cannot clean it, paint it!

Repairing

Ideally everything must be in perfect working order. No running toilets and dripping faucets, squeaky hinges or knobs. No cracks in ceilings, walls or flooring. Check the roof and gutters, outside decks and fences.

Neutralizing & Depersonalizing

Use neutral colors for walls, wallpaper and carpet. Remove any strong decorative elements, family photographs and even the family pet. Make sure no pet odor is left.

Dynamizing/Dramatizing

Arrange furniture in conversational groupings facing the focal point of the room (fire place, window with nice view, French or patio doors, built-in bookshelves). Open curtains and turn on the lights. Use a few real green plants and place fresh flowers in the master bedroom and kitchen. Do not display any personal hygiene or cleaning items. Place scented candles and potpourri. Fluff up the pillows on the couch and add a nice throw. Make sure the bedding is crisp and clean. Hang new towels in the bathroom. Do not forget the outdoors!