Show your home at its best with this quick checklist from our real estate pros.

1. 01. Make the front entrance inviting.

   Potential buyers often drive by before deciding they want to see the inside of a house, so make sure the front-door area looks nice.

   • Front Door Design
   • Pediment and Pilasters
   • Install a Kickplate
2. 02. Clear away clutter.

   Put away personal photos, knickknacks, boxes — anything that will distract the buyer from concentrating on the house.

   • Storage Solutions
   • From Clutter to Cozy
   • Clearing Closet Clutter
   • Controlling Paper Clutter
3. 03. Clean the house thoroughly.

   Take time to make bathrooms sparkle, wash the windows, and clean kitchen appliances. Don't forget under the sinks!

   • Bedroom Cleaning
   • Cleaning Staircases
   • Cleaning Bath Fixtures
   • Cleaning Blinds
   • Cleaning Light Fixtures
4. 04. Freshen the appearance of rooms.

   A little paint can go a long way in making your home sellable: repaint much-used rooms in neutral colors to make them look clean and fresh.

   • Preparing to Paint
   • Painting a Room
   • Interior Paint
   • Painting Tips
   • Painting a Popcorn Ceiling
   • Painting Paneling
5. 05. Arrange furniture for spaciousness.

   Remove extra, unwanted furniture and arrange remaining pieces in a way that creates smooth traffic flow.

   • Arranging Furniture
   • Large Space Solutions
   • Rearranging Furniture
6. 06. Do all you can to reduce odors.

   People never forget smells when they walk in the door. Try your best to remove odors caused by pets, smoking and cooking.

   • Controlling Odors
   • Removing Odors
   • Homemade Air Fresheners
7. 07. Perform all minor repairs, if necessary.

   Take a hard look around your home and see it from a buyer's perspective: oil door and window hinges, fix loose handrails, etc.

   • Wall Repair
   • Shower Tile Replacement
   • Replace Glass in French Door
   • Windowsill Replacement
   • Painting Metal Shutters
   • Replace Stair Treads
8. 08. Replace outdated light fixtures.

   Wall sconces, recessed lighting or pendant lights are good alternatives to that single old-fashioned overhead fixture.

   • Lighting in the Kitchen
   • Lighting Fixtures
   • Light Up Your Life
9. 09. Clean the carpeting.

   Unless it's extremely worn, you may be able to avoid replacing carpet. Buyers often prefer to choose their own new carpet or opt for hardwood floors.

   • Get Rid of Carpet Stains
   • Cleaning Carpet
   • Patching Carpet
10. 10. Don't forget the garage and basement.

    It's tempting to stash stuff away in these areas of the home, but when you're selling, they have to be neat and clean too!

    • Garage Maintenance
    • Garage Cleanup
    • Repairing Cracks in a Concrete Floor