HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME
GENERAL TIPS
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THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE ENTIRE HOME (VACUUM CARPET, MOP FLOORS, CLEAN COUNTERTOPS, WINDOWS, ETC.)
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REPLACE ALL BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS
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MAKE SURE ALL BULBS ARE SAME COLOR TEMPERATURE (SAME KIND OF BULB IN EACH ROOM)
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TURN OFF ALL CEILING FANS (PHOTOGRAPHY ONLY)
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TURN ALL CEILING FANS ON LOW SETTING (VIDEO ONLY)
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TURN ALL TVS AND COMPUTER MONITORS OFF
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REMOVE SMALL STEROS LIKE ALEXA, SIRI, AND GOOGLE ASSIST (CLEAN COUNTERS)
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OPEN BLINDS (SAME LEVEL) AND TUCK STRING OFF TO THE SIDE
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REMOVE PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHS OR REPLACE WITH GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHS
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MAKE ALL BEDS (MAKE SURE THE BEDDING COVER BOXSPRING IF POSSIBLE
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MAKE SURE THERE ISN’T ANYTHING VISIBLE UNDER THE BED (IF YOU CAN SEE IT SO WILL THE CAMERA)
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REMOVE SMALL FLOOR RUGS TO REVEAL ACTUAL FLOORING
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PLACE ALL SHOES AND JACKETS IN CLOSETS
FRONT EXTERIOR
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Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames
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Remove visible water hoses
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Remove toys, sports balls, kid’s toys, etc.
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Hide trash cans behind bushes or in garage
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Close garage doors
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Remove cars from driveway and front of home
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Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves)
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Remove empty planters
BACK EXTERIOR
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Clean porch and wipe clean outdoor tables, chairs & cushions
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Pillows and cushions should be clean and not show sun fade
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Clear out kid’s toys, balls, pet evidence and alike
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Clean pool and remove vacuum
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Hide pool cleaning supplies
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Turn on pool fountains/water features
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Remove trash cans
KITCHEN
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Clear countertops completely
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Leave out no more than one appliance, a fruit bowl, and a couple other decorative pieces, which include contrasting colors
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Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc.
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Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet
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Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher
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Clean all stainless steel appliances and leave no wipe marks
DINING ROOM/AREA
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Clear table, dust and polish the table top
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Use decorative place setting if available
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Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers
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Remove child seats/booster chairs
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Align all chairs uniformly with table and each other
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Align table directly under over-lamp
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Straighten all chairs and space them evenly
LIVING/FAMILY ROOM
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Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc. (unless intentionally staged/placed)
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De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art)
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Clean interior of fireplace and re paint if needed
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Fluff and arrange furniture pillows
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Remove toys (pet toys included)
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Center rug with furniture
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Hide remote controls and electric wires
MASTER BEDROOM
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Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available
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Press bed linens and bed skirts
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Clear nightstands of all personal items
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Store away phone/tablet charging cables
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Remove all clutter from top of dressers
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Remove family photos from walls
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Clean under bed, removing items that may show in photos
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Rotate bed lamps so stitching is facing towards wall
KID/GUEST BEDROOM
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Remove personalized names from walls
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Remove wall stickers/posters
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Clean under bed, removing items that may show in photos
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Typically, secondary rooms are smaller, thus the importance of de-cluttering is more important to show the space and potential of new furniture
BATHROOMS
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Clear countertops completely. No soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.
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Put toilet seats down. PLEASE!
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Close all doors
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Remove shampoos, soaps, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs
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Remove used towels – leave out only new,unused towels. Decorate towels with 1 hand towel over 1 large towel and place on rack. Fold outside edges in
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Remove floor mats
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Clean mirrors and wipe away any marks
PET CARE
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Place all food and water bowls in pantry or closet
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Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hairs
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Contain pets in hidden crate or outside
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Clear back yard of pet waste/toys