01Exterior
Everything a buyer sees before they have any other information.
- Repair visible damage to steps, railings, walkways and fencing
- Clean siding, windows, gutters and the front entry
- Prune back overgrowth, define beds, refresh mulch
- Check exterior lighting and replace anything mismatched
- Make the front door and its hardware look deliberate
02Kitchen
Assessed in seconds, remembered for the whole showing.
- Repair doors and drawers that stick, sag or do not align
- Replace damaged or dated hardware
- Clean appliances thoroughly, including the parts people forget
- Refresh caulking at the sink and backsplash
- Improve lighting, including under cabinets
- Clear the counters almost entirely
03Bathrooms
The room where buyers look hardest for signs of neglect.
- Repair any leak, however minor, and dry what it affected
- Clean or replace failed grout
- Re-caulk every wet junction
- Confirm the fan actually moves air, and vents outside
- Replace damaged or stained fixtures
04Living areas and bedrooms
Where space is judged — and where too much furniture costs you more than dated décor.
- Patch and paint, in one consistent neutral
- Repair damaged flooring or transitions
- Remove excess furniture, and then remove more
- Organise closets — buyers open them and read them as a storage verdict
- Replace every burned-out bulb and match colour temperature
05Basement and mechanical
The part sellers skip and inspectors head straight for.
- Address moisture at its source rather than cleaning the symptom
- Organise storage so the space reads as usable
- Make the furnace, panel and water heater accessible and visible
- Replace filters and service what is due
- Gather warranties, permits, invoices and maintenance records in one place
That last item is worth more than it sounds. A folder of permits and service records answers half the questions a cautious buyer would otherwise turn into conditions.