Simply Enhanced Interiors - Tips and Resources

To Do Before a Showing | Packing Tips | Painting Tips | Step by Step

To Do Before a Showing

Flower photo

Great, you’ve attracted a buyer to tour your home! Naturally you want to make the most of the opportunity by having your home spotlessly clean and in perfect order, however, today’s busy lifestyles can make this difficult. Below is a checklist to remind you of what you should do and some hints to help you do them quicker.

The basics:
While you home is on the market, you should do your best to keep it clean and tidy. Always maintain lawns and landscaping. Trim back overgrowth and clear walks from snow or ice.

On your way out:

Make sure porches and entryways are clear of clutter, toys and outdoor equipment.
Pick items up on your way out and put in a basket and store in garage or better yet — take it with you. Sweep debris or leaves into a grocery bag and put in trash or take it too!

Go room by room and:

Clear clutter. Carry an extra laundry basket and pick up all toys and other clutter and take it with you!
Pre-pack extra dishes or pots so you have at least one cabinet clear. Keep a basket in the empty cabinet for catch-all clutter, mail, bills, school or other papers which tend to collect on kitchen counters.
Open window treatments to show off windows and let the light in.
Turn lights ON.
Keep a set of fresh bathroom towels ready just for showings. As you leave, remove used towels and add them to your laundry basket.
Keep a basket under bathroom vanities to quickly clear personal items from counters and bedroom dressers (brushes, makeup, toothpaste).
Sweep or vacuum floors.
Use a convenient disinfecting wipe for a quick touch up on countertops, appliances and sinks.
Place a small squirt of cleaner in the toilet bowl for a fresh scent. Do NOT spray air fresheners as a buyer will think you are trying to hide something.
Make sure all litter boxes/crates are clean.
If possible, leave your pet in the care of a neighbor or take it with you.

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Packing Tips

Pre-pack all seasonal items when you prepare your home for sale. It reduces clutter and gives you a great start.
Boxes from liquor stores are sturdy, a good size and many have hand holes. Also, wine boxes that have individual dividers are great for glasses. Save a few boxes for last minute items on moving day.
Instead of newspaper, which can leave a residue, wrap with inexpensive tissue paper, white wrapping paper or paper towels. No need for re-washing dishes. Also, paper towels can be saved and set aside for cleaning.
Use paper towels, sheets of thin foam or bubble wrap in between stacked plates. Put small wrapped glasses inside large wrapped mugs, saving space.
Fill empty space around wrapped items with glossy magazine sheets crunched into balls instead of buying peanuts.
Run a piece of packing tape along the bottom seam of boxes to avoid breakthrough. For easier opening later, run a length of string along the top seam before taping closed, leaving a few inches hanging out. Just pull to open.
Label boxes as soon as you’re done packing them. Using a designated color for each room makes it easier for movers. Mark boxes with arrows for “UP”, “HEAVY”, “FRAGILE” and “DO NOT STACK” for boxes that have breakables that could be crushed with minimal pressure like fine crystal.
Buy or rent garment boxes from a local temporary storage company. These boxes have a bar inside to support clothes on hangers. If unavailable, tape the hook ends of hangers together and cover with a large trash bag.
Pack a change of clothes, pajamas, toothbrush, medicines and other daily necessities in a suitcase with an “OPEN FIRST” label for your first night and morning. You will find these quicker than looking for certain boxes.
Place bedding for each person in a bag properly marked. A kitchen OPEN FIRST box may contain a flashlight, coffee essentials, paper plates, cups and plastic utensils for a quick lunch or pizza at the end of the day.
Tie electrical and connection cords with twist-ties or plastic zip cords. Take a picture of complex connections in their proper place or print out instructions for easier hookup later. Attach this to the equipment.
Keep things together, such as hooks with pictures and shelf brackets with bookcases. Place these small pieces in marked zip lock bags and tape to the item.
Bathroom wastebaskets can be filled with items for the bath like soap and toilet paper wrapped in a towel. You can find this quicker than a box and set up a powder or bathroom for immediate use.
Keep important papers with you. If you have a briefcase, you can have all birth certificates, school records, mover information, utility company numbers, bank records, phone lists, realtor and closing papers at your fingertips. Do not leave this with a mover – keep it with you.
Place a set of cleaning supplies in a bucket in case you need to clean before you leave or to use upon arrival.
Pack long-handled brooms or gardening equipment by gathering and taping together with wide masking tape.
When moving with children, have them pack a colorful bag with their favorite items; a snack, sleep toy, paper, crayons, favorite tape or DVD (in case your TV is not ready) and small toys or puzzle pages to keep them busy.
Have a basic idea of furniture placement sketched before the move to reduce confusion and questions from movers.
When you arrive, locate all OPEN FIRST boxes, set up beds, a bathroom and place each person’s suitcase or special bag on their bed. Keep your important papers on the kitchen counter and set up the kitchen.

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Painting Tips

Pick the right finish:

Flat finishes are best for walls in adult bedrooms, formal dining rooms, and for ceilings as it is not easily cleaned.
Eggshell is a good choice for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and family rooms. It is washable and doesn’t have a high sheen.
Satin finish is good for family rooms, halls and children’s bedrooms and playrooms. They hide a wall’s imperfections and withstand cleaning.
Semi-gloss works well for kitchens and bathrooms, doors and trim. They are easily washed and durable.
Special kitchen and bath paints are available in most stores and provide the added bonus of a mold inhibitor.
Special ceiling paints are also available that roll on with minimal splatter and stay brighter longer.

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Step by step:

First, remove all pictures, shelves, window treatments and switch and outlet covers.
Move all furniture out of the room or to the center of the room and cover.
Inspect the walls for imperfections, nail holes, spots and stains.
Make all necessary repairs. For small holes use spackle, let dry and sand. For larger fixes, use drywall tape and compound. Smooth, let dry and sand, following directions on container.
Prime all fixed areas, spots and stains. If your paint choice is a dramatic change, like from dark olive to a cream, you will want to prime the whole area. If your choice goes from light to a dramatic dark hue, choose a primer tinted to work with the new color.
Wash walls where there may be excess dirt like around kitchen stoves, sinks and children’s areas.
Lightly clean all other walls to remove dust.
If you prefer to tape, use painter’s masking tape to tape off woodwork or around any fixture you can’t remove.
Many professional painters skip this step and opt to use a 2-1/2” angled trim or sash brush to do their “cutting in”. To use the brush properly, pour a small amount of paint into a small disposable container. Dip you brush 1/4 of the way into the paint. Drain one side on the edge of the container. Holding the brush like a pencil, angle toward the edge of the trim and apply enough pressure to bend the bristles, but not too hard. Pull the brush slightly until you see the painted edge appear. Move the brush as close as you can get without painting the trim. Once you practice getting the angle right, you will be able to pull your brush in one long arm motion to effectively edge without tape.
Begin with the ceiling, and paint a 2” strip where the ceiling meets the walls (cutting in).Then, use a roller to paint, starting in a corner and roll across the short side without stopping.
Paint walls by applying a 2” strip along the ceiling, floor and woodwork to one wall at a time. Then, with a roller, paint as close to the edges as possible starting with a “W” or “N” shape to evenly distribute paint. Cross roll to spread evenly.
Keep damp cloth rags handy for accidental splatters or drips. Wipe off immediately.