Keep in mind that some expenses occurred for preparing to sell your
home are tax deductible:

  • professional cleaning and painting
  • window repair
  • landscaping
  • a professional home inspection

Expenses are deductible as long as they are performed within 90 days of the
sales contract and paid for no later than 30 days after closing, and are not
otherwise deductible on your return, or a capital improvement. Always consult
your attorney and/or tax accountant, and save all records.

Selling expenses also may be deductible if incurred during the negotiating and
final sale of your home. Typically, these include:

  • advertising costs
  • home inspection fees
  • legal fees
  • loan placement fees or points
  • survey fees
  • recording expenses
  • sales commissions

Always consult your attorney and/or tax accountant, and save all records.

Never forget that people tend to buy with thier eyes!
Following is a checklist of items and practical advice to help your home look its
best:

Exterior

  1. Paint the front door and mailbox. Polish any brass hardware.
  2. Wash or clean wood, aluminum, or vinyl sided homes. You can hire a
    contractor to pressure-wash your home for usually under $500. Pressure
    washing can remove dirt, grime, chalky paint, and even mildew.
  3. Rake leaves, trim shrubs and trees, cut the lawn, and put in some
    seasonal flowers. Refresh mulch by topdressing with a layer of new
    mulch, or replace it totally with new.
  4. Sweep and hose off patios, driveways, and sidewalks. Another item that
    is a possibility for pressure washing! Make sure all are unstained and in
    good condition.
  5. Clean gutters; extend downspouts to prevent water seepage and drain
    water away from wood siding to prevent rot.
  6. Organize garage and any storage buildings/sheds. Keep car clean.
  7. Make sure all house and garage locks work easily with the key(s). You
    may want to purchase a small tube of graphite to remedy the problem,
    or replace very worn locks.
  8. Clean oil and rust stains from driveways.

Interior

  1. Wash windows, shades, blinds and curtains.
  2. Leave the shades/blinds open to make the house appear bright and
    cheerful.
  3. Replace burned-out light bulbs and clean lighting fixtures.
  4. Wax/polish floors; vacuum or shampoo carpets; glue down open seams
    in vinyl flooring.
  5. Paint the foyer and repair/clean flooring.
  6. Make sure windows and doors operate properly and lubricate bi-fold door
    tracks with spray silicone.
  7. Glue loose seams in wallpaper; remove soiled wallpaper and replace or
    paint.
  8. Clean in and around fireplaces, and remove ashes.
  9. Organize the closets and clean up all clutter.
  10. Make sure beds are made and there is no laundry visible.
  11. Have a yard/garage sale to get rid of unwanted and excess items that
    can clutter the house.
  12. Make your baths sparkle by making these improvements: Repair loose
    tiles, remove loose grout and add new. Remove old tub and tile caulking
    and install new white tub and tile caulking around edges of the tub,
    along edges of the sink tops and around the toilet base. Clean mildewed
    caulk with bleach or a bleach product.
  13. Old tubs can often be repainted with a spray epoxy coating or lined with
    vinyl.
  14. Remove soap scum and dirt buildup on tile and clean glass doors with
    vinegar. Replace or launder soiled shower curtains.
  15. Vacuum exhaust fans and have them plugged in.
  16. Improve the kitchen with these items:
  17. Clean ovens, cooktops, and exhaust fans. Remember to clean behind
    appliances.
  18. Make sure all the burners or cooking elements work.
  19. Defrost freezers. Remove mold from refrigerator gaskets. Empty the
    water collection tray under refrigerator.
  20. Neatly arrange items under sink.
  21. Wash cabinet fronts.
  22. Cover counter burns with ceramic tile or heat resistant glass,
  23. Make sure all drawer pulls and door handles are in place and secure.
  24. Install new shelf and drawer liners.
  25. Signs of rats, roaches, spiders, mice, termites, etc.
  26. Because Homeowners become desensitized to the odors in their own
    homes, they may not realize how obvious these odors can be to visitors.
    To avoid this problem, ask someone outside of your household to help
    you detect odors.

Things that could turn off your potential buyer

  1. Mildew odors from baths, kitchens, and screened porches
  2. Freezer and refrigerator odors
  3. Odors from heating equipment (usually dirty coils)
  4. Odors from dirty baths and kitchens; bacteria growing in drains
  5. Dog and cat odors
  6. Odors from tobacco smoke and trash cans  

How to Fix the Problems

  1. Remove pet odors by steam cleaning carpet, cleaning litter boxes daily,
    and keeping barking dogs out of sight.
  2. Air out furniture; use commercial odor cleaner such as Febreeze.
  3. Check toilet bowl to see if it is fitting tightly against the floor. Odors
    often come into the bath through a bad wax seal under the bowl.
  4. Food disposal units and the inside overflow areas of bath sinks are great
    places for bacteria. Using a chlorine bleach and water solution, remove
    the trap and block the drain, then pour in the solution past the overflow
    inlet. Let sit for half an hour.
  5. Rinse trash cans and spray with a deodorizer.
  6. Make the whole house smell inviting by boiling cinnamon sticks or vanilla
    in a pot, or have an apple pie or loaf of bread warming in the oven.
  7. Once you have attended to the physical inspection of the property,
    gather any pertinent papers concerning your house: substantial repair or
    replacement receipts showing updates, warranties that can pass from
    owner to buyer, termite bond, and previous utility bills to help answer
    questions on water, electric, and gas consumption.
  8. By completing these lists, your home will appear its best!

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