Home preparation for all rooms

• Deep clean: vacuum carpet, mop hard floors, clean floor boards and vents
• Dust furniture and art
• Replace all burned out light bulbs. If possible, use bulbs of the same temperature such as all incandescent or all compact fluorescent.
• Remove personal photographs and replace with general landscape/object photographs
• Declutter or clear surfaces
• Remove personal items
• Look for ugly wires. Hide or tidy them

Room by room preparation  

Front and Back Exterior

• Remove yard ornaments, unused planters, garbage bins, hoses and clutter like toys and yard tools
• Close garage doors
• Remove cars in street
• Tidy landscaping
• Freshen outdoor furniture

Kitchen

• Remove small appliances and items such mail and knife blocks.
• Leave no more than one appliance out like a coffee pot
• Remove dishes from the sink, and clean sink and counters

Dining Room

• Polish furniture
• Stage place settings or have a small floral piece in the middle on table
• Straighten chairs and remove high chairs and boosters

Family and Living Rooms

• Remove stacks of papers, magazines, books, and toys
• Declutter surfaces, shelves, and mantel
• Clean interior of fireplace, exterior glass

Bedrooms

• Make beds and clean under them
• Declutter shelves, tops of dressers, and remove personal items
• Remove personal art, vinyl stickers, and posters
• Store as many books and toys out of sight

Bathrooms

• Clear counters completely
• Close closet doors and put the toilet seats down
• Freshly folded and hung towels
• Remove rugs and tub mats

Home Office

• Organize and declutter desk

Day of preparation

• Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON
• Turn all ceiling fans OFF
• Turn all TVs and computers OFF
• Open blinds/window treatments to let in outside light
• Remove small floor rugs to reveal actual flooring
• Place all shoe and jackets in closets
• Final sweep and mop
• Wipe down kitchen and bathroom counters