Home Staging

Inside your home

Floor coverings (carpeting, tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.)

  • Dirt or stains?
  • Excessive wear or damage?
  • Area rugs clean and stain-free?

Walls and ceilings

  • Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?
  • Nail or thumb-crack holes, tape residue?
  • Cracks, chips, water damage?
  • Need for repainting or new wallpaper?
  • Neutral, light colours for roomy environment?

Doors

  • Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?
  • Need new paint?
  • Open/close easily without squeaks?
  • Latches/handles secure and working properly?

Windows

  • Glass sparkling clean/chip- and crack-free?
  • Open/close easily?
  • Latches/handles/locks secure, working properly?
  • Dirt and fingerprints on frames or sills?
  • Screens clean and without holes?
  • Storm windows in good condition?

Window coverings (curtains, drapes, blinds, etc.)

  • Dirt or stains?
  • Excessive wear or sun damage?
  • Open/close easily, hardware working properly?

Lighting (lighting makes a room feel more inviting)

  • All bulbs working and proper wattage?
  • Broken switches, exposed wiring?
  • Table and floor lamps working properly?

Pet areas

  • Clean, organized, odour-free?

Entryways and hallways

  • Clean and free of clutter or obstructions?
  • Welcome mat(s) clean and inviting?

Closets and storage areas

  • Clean and well organized?
  • Clutter and excess junk removed?
  • Clothes hung neatly and not jammed together? Shoes and boots neatly stored/stacked?

Kitchen

  • Every surface sparkling clean?
  • Countertops organized, all but daily use appliances?
  • Refrigerator spotless inside and out?
  • Organized? Spoiled food discarded?
  • Frost removed? Light bulbs working? (Buyers look!)
  • Oven/stovetop clean? Burner trays cleaned?
  • Sinks clean; faucets working properly and leak-free?
  • Garbage disposal in good working condition?
  • Cupboards/pantry spotless, organized?
  • Dishwasher clean and stain-free?

Living room, dining room, bedrooms, den and study

  • Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?
  • Excess furniture removed for roomier atmosphere?
  • Remaining furniture clean and in good repair?
  • Wood and other surfaces clean and polished?
  • Bookshelves neat, organized and clutter-free?
  • Children’s games/toys stored neatly?
  • Fragile items removed and stored?
  • Smaller valuables removed/locked away?
  • Window coverings open for views and sunlight?
  • Mirrors clean and in good repair?
  • Ashtrays cleaned and kept out of sight?
  • Fireplace clean, logs/kindling stacked neatly?

Bathrooms/powder room

  • Every surface sparkling clean?
  • Countertops organized, free of clutter? Fresh soap?
  • Sinks spotlessly clean, faucets working properly?
  • Tub and shower surfaces clean?
  • Towels stain-free and hanging neatly?
  • Shower curtain clean and in good repair?
  • Toilet extra-clean and working properly?
  • Closets organized and clutter-free?
  • Medicine cabinet clean, "personal items" removed?

Basement, furnace room, garage, attic storeroom

  • Clean and well-organized?
  • Clutter and excess "junk" removed?
  • Remaining items stored/stacked neatly?
  • Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?

Outside your home

Structures

  • Exterior surfaces clean, in good condition?
  • Front-door exterior clean, inviting?
  • Eavestroughs and downspouts clean, in good repair?
  • Gates open/close properly, hardware working?
  • Fences/decks in good repair, in good condition?
  • Sidewalks and walkways in good repair?
  • Driveway clean, in good repair?

Yard and environment

  • Driveways, sidewalks clear of snow, ice?
  • Lawns mowed/edged regularly?
  • Large bare spots repaired?
  • Leaves removed from lawns and flower beds?
  • Trees pruned, hedges trimmed?
  • Flower beds weeded and tidy; dead plants replaced?
  • "Junk" and scrap removed?
  • Lawn furniture clean, organized, good repair?
  • Bicycles, children’s toys stored neatly, out of way?
  • Firewood organized and neatly stacked?
  • Dog runs secure, yard free of "doggy deposits"?