Your Progress
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Curb Appeal & Exterior
0/7
Mow, edge, and trim lawn Priority
A well-manicured lawn signals maintained property to buyers pulling up for the first time.
Power wash driveway, walkway & front porch Priority
Removes years of staining and dramatically brightens the exterior at low cost.
Clean or replace front door hardware
Polished or new hardware on a clean door goes a long way for perceived quality.
Add or freshen up mulch in flower beds Optional
Fresh mulch is inexpensive and makes landscaping look intentional and cared-for.
Touch up exterior paint or shutters
Peeling or faded paint is a red flag for buyers and home inspectors alike.
Clear gutters and check for visible sagging
Inspectors flag clogged or sagging gutters — get ahead of it before listing.
Remove or store yard clutter, equipment & extra vehicles
Clean lines outside signal spaciousness and make photos and showings shine.
Interior Condition & Repairs
0/7
Patch and paint all scuffs, holes & dings Priority
Fresh neutral walls photograph better and reduce buyer negotiation leverage.
Test all light switches and replace burnt bulbs
Bright, consistent lighting makes every room feel larger and more inviting.
Fix dripping faucets, slow drains & running toilets Priority
Plumbing issues are the most common inspection findings — address them early.
Check all interior doors — open, close, and latch properly
Sticking or non-latching doors suggest settling or humidity issues to savvy buyers.
Replace HVAC air filter and note last service date Pro Tip
Showing a clean filter and recent service records builds buyer confidence in the mechanicals.
Test smoke & CO detectors, replace batteries
Required by most lenders — get this out of the way before the inspection clock starts.
Check for any water stains on ceilings or walls
Even old, resolved leaks that weren't repaired properly will concern buyers — disclose and document.
Deep Clean & Odor Control
0/6
Professional deep clean OR thorough DIY clean throughout Priority
A clean home signals care and maintenance — the single highest-impact prep item.
Clean inside all kitchen appliances (oven, fridge, microwave)
Buyers open appliances during showings — don't let residue be the memory they leave with.
Scrub all bathrooms including grout, caulk & exhaust fans
Dingy grout or mildew caulk reads as neglect — re-caulk if needed (inexpensive and high-impact).
Address pet odors — steam clean carpets if pets are in the home Priority
Pet odor is the #1 reason buyers disengage. You may not smell it — ask your agent honestly.
Wash all windows inside and out
Clean windows let in more light and make rooms feel bigger in photos and in person.
Deodorize basement and garage areas
Musty basement smells raise red flags about moisture — baking soda and ventilation go a long way.
Declutter & Staging
0/7
Remove at least 30–50% of personal items and clutter Priority
Less is more. Buyers need visual space to imagine their furniture and their life in the home.
Clear kitchen countertops — keep only 1–2 curated items
Open countertops are the most photographed feature in a kitchen — make them shine.
Remove excess or oversized furniture to improve flow
Rooms should feel easy to move through — bulky furniture makes spaces feel cramped in photos.
Organize closets and storage areas — buyers will look inside
Tidy closets signal ample storage; crammed ones make buyers question whether the home has enough room.
Remove family photos and highly personal décor Pro Tip
Buyers connect to neutral spaces — personal photos shift attention from the home to the current owners.
Add fresh towels, new bath mats & neutral accessories to bathrooms
Small hotel-style touches in bathrooms photograph beautifully and cost very little.
Make all beds with clean, coordinated bedding
Primary bedroom first impressions matter — crisp, coordinated bedding conveys move-in ready.
Photography Day Prep
0/5
Turn on every light in the home — replace any remaining dead bulbs Priority
Bright, evenly-lit rooms look dramatically better in photos than dark or inconsistently lit ones.
Open all blinds and curtains for maximum natural light
Natural light is one of the most frequently cited buyer preferences — show it off.
Remove all vehicles from driveway and in front of the home
Exterior shots need a clean backdrop — cars block the home and date the photos.
Remove pet items, food bowls, litter boxes and kennels for photo day
Even pet-loving buyers can be turned off — keep pets and their items out of all photos.
Clear kitchen sink, remove dish racks, wipe all surfaces one final time
The kitchen is the most-viewed room in every listing — it needs to be photo-perfect.
Documents & Listing Logistics
0/5
Gather records for major repairs and improvements Pro Tip
Roof, HVAC, water heater, windows — documented improvements increase perceived value and reduce negotiation.
Locate HOA documents, rules & fees if applicable
HOA disclosures are required — having them ready avoids delays in the contract period.
Confirm your mortgage payoff amount with your lender
Knowing your exact net proceeds helps you evaluate offers clearly and without surprises.
Discuss your timeline — move-out date, flexibility, and possession preferences
Knowing your ideal closing and possession timeline upfront helps us position your listing strategically.
Plan for pets and children during showings — arrange care in advance
Buyers and their agents need to tour freely — plan a reliable showing plan from Day 1.
Ready to List? Let's Walk Through It Together.
The Nicole Hanson Group offers a complimentary pre-listing walkthrough for all Northwest Indiana sellers. We'll walk room by room, identify your highest-ROI prep items, and build a pricing strategy that gets you the most for your home.
Schedule My Free Walkthrough Serving Lake, Porter, LaPorte & Jasper Counties · No obligationNH
Nicole Hanson
Team Lead · Nicole Hanson Group at Advanced Real Estate · NWI