De-Cluttering Tip Sheet

You are moving. The less you have in your home, the easier it is to tidy up before showing a and it helps buyers see how big your space really is.

Take on One Room at a Time... the key to decluttering is to throw or give away what you don't need and organize your remaining items in containers.

Sort through your stuff and list it as one of these three decisions:

1.It's going with you: Pack & Move

2.It should be thrown or donated: Get Rid of It

3.You need it to live: Leave it Alone (for now)

Depersonalize - Your Home will be on the Internet

1.Remove personal photos, children names on the wall

2.Remove sports, business and personal awards, political and religious items

3.Daily use items can be tucked away during showings

Closets, Cabinets and Drawers:

1.Pack up out-of-season items

2.Get rid of never-used shoes

3.Throw out/Donate never-used items in Kitchen and Bathroom cabinets.

4. Take note of the additional time you will need to remove the excess clutter from your small spaces (like bathroom & kitchen drawers) as these take the longest to sort through.

Final Tips

1. Organize and label what is getting moved so you and your movers will know where it goes in your new house.

2. Do not place a pod in your driveway, while you are getting ready for market or before the photo shoot.

3. If needed, pressure wash the garage floor, driveway, sidewalk, deck and patioremoving stains, debris and spiderwebs.

Home Inspectors - A General Checklist

General

• Make sure all utilities are on

• Access is clear (and unlocked) to the electrical panel, crawl and attic space.

• Make sure there is access to see the garage walls - in case your boxes are in there.

• Make sure gas fireplaces are set to light up.

• Make sure to change your HVAC filters.

• Secure or remove pets.

Exterior

• Make sure water drains away from your house with downspouts and splash blocks under gutters.

• Fix any loose shingles or nail pops

• Clean out gutters and downspouts

• Check wood trim joints for softness and repair.

• Check steps for loose bricks or wood, repair as needed.

• Check handrails for looseness.

• Check deck for weathered wood and popped up nails.

• Check for fallen insulation or wood debris under the deck and crawl space

• Check hose faucets for leaks and loose fittings.

Garage

• Check automatic reverse on garage doors

• Check garage foundation for termite (mud) tubes on the wall.

• Check for damaged sheet-rock adjoining the living space to ensure proper fire rating.

Interior

• Check windows for opening, closing and locking.

• Check windows to ensure they stay up on their own.

• Check windows for broken seals, cracks

• Check all doors for rubbing, sticking when opening and closing.

• Check walls and doors for holes from the door handle or door stop.

• Check ceiling fans on all three speeds for wobbling.

• Check and replace all burned out light bulbs

• Check carpet for levelness - carpets may need stretching

• Check floors for safety issues

Kitchens and Bathrooms

• Fill all sink basins. Drain and check for leaks.

• Check disposal and run dishwasher.

• Check cabinets for rubbing and secured to open and close properly.

• Check that all burners and stove elements work as intended.

• Check the counters and back splash for any needed caulking.

• Check for loose tiles, cracked tiles, and missing grout.

• Check the toilet for cracks, loose/rocking toilets in need of new wax rings.

• Check supply lines, toilet shut-offs, to ensure they flush properly

• Check for faucets to ensure proper hot and cold plumbing installation.

• Check all faucets for water pressure, including showers.

• Check laundry connection for leaks.

• Check water heater for leaks & corrosion.

• Check for tripped, missing and unmarked breakers.

• Check GFCI's & AFCI's to ensure they work.