There’s so much involved when it comes to moving. That’s why you need to write out a moving checklist to keep track of everything you need to do before you sell your home. As you create this checklist, think about everything you need to do in each room before putting it on the market. After all, the more prepared your home is, the more likely you’ll attract buyers and sell your home faster. To get started, use this useful guide as a way to start creating your moving checklist and get ready for your big moving day.
Living Room
When a potential buyer enters your home, your living room is one of the first spaces they’ll see. So make a good first impression. After all, the living room is one of the main rooms that people tend to congregate in and pass through whenever they go to someone’s house. So make sure your living room is presented in a way where a visitor can see all the amazing features that you have. Start by removing personal items like books or photos and do some general decluttering. Of course, you could always add some life to it with some flowers or even leave out a plate of cookies for visitors to snack on.
Check that every aspect of your living room is as clean as possible. Refresh your living room furniture by enlisting the help of a professional upholsterer. Even though your furniture may not come with the home sale, it still looks good if it’s presented as being well-maintained and clean. Your presentation of a notch by renting a few new pieces that can match your existing living room style and color. that’s a good option if your existing furniture is still looking old and worn out even after a professional cleaning
Don’t forget your window treatments such as your blinds, curtains, and light fixtures. When you hire professional home cleaners, they’ll handle all of those nooks and crannies, such as your window treatments, countertops, floors, and everything that needs to be revamped. Speaking of floors, if you have hardwood floors, make sure cleaners will give them a good waxing. When it comes to carpeting, be extra mindful of how carpeting is presented.
If you have pets, smoked indoors, or didn’t have the most updated vacuum cleaner, your carpeting may be looking worse for wear. After all, carpet fibers can harbor all sorts of smells, pet dander, mildew, dirt, and even mold. Since people may often pass through your living room, your living room floors may have borne the brunt of foot traffic. Add a professional carpet cleaner to your moving checklist to remove any stains or nasty smells that are lingering in those carpet fibers. However, if you want to encourage a potential home buyer, consider replacing that carpeting with hardwood floors. After all, hardwood floors are still highly sought after and are a sign of luxury. It certainly helps that hardwood flooring can last as long as a century with proper maintenance.
Bathroom
Bathroom design is the second most popular type of remodeling behind kitchens. So you can expect any home buyer to thoroughly consider how upgraded your bathrooms are, especially the master ones. Your bathroom should be highly functional and sparkling clean. Make sure there’s no mold or grime in your bathroom tiles or tub. If you’re chalking has become stained or cracked, have a bathroom remodeler replace it.
Upgrading bathroom fixtures should be at the top of your moving checklist. More people are mindful about their water consumption. So switch out those outdated toilets for a dual flush, ones that only waste slightly more than a gallon per flush, compared to five gallons, according to the EPA. Plumbers can also install Spa-like shower fixtures that also use less water but provide a luxurious experience.
Bathroom cabinets are a vital feature of any modern bathroom. So consider installing a bathroom vanity as well as a medicine cabinet if you don’t already have one. A bathroom vanity is a great opportunity to showcase a beautiful countertop, especially one made from natural stone like granite. Before showing off your bathroom storage, make sure you remove your items like your medications, toiletries, and towels.
The bathroom is a hotspot for humidity in the home. After all those hot showers and steamy baths, it’s easy for water and condensation to collect. Unfortunately, water and humidity are a hotbed for mold, which only takes 24 to 72 hours to sprout in a wet environment, according to Qipa. So if your bathroom isn’t properly ventilated, add that to your movie checklist. The simplest way to ventilate your bathroom is by installing an internal exhaust fan. You can also install a bathroom window. A bathroom window adds design, natural light, and easy ventilation.
Kitchen
For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home, and with good reason. After all, it’s the space where you store and prep your food, as well as have your meals unless you use the dining room. Many people even prefer to do their entertaining in the kitchen as opposed to their living room. The kitchen should be as functional and clean as possible to grab the attention of any home buyer. So be mindful of any built-up grease that may be on your stove, oven, or vents. Check your appliances for any unsightly fingerprints.
If you think bathroom storage is important, your kitchen is where your storage matters. That’s why cabinet designs are a must for your moving checklist. If your existing cabinets still have a solid structure, you can enhance them by calling upon cabinet refinishers to upgrade the surface with staining, and paint, as well as replacing any worn-down fixtures such as hinges and handles. If your cabinets are no longer useful. Feel free to install new ones and there are many designs and materials to choose from. Modern cabinet designs include trends that involve darker colors and more sleek aesthetics. Many cabinets are also used to hide appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers. One of the more popular modern designs for kitchen storage includes the use of floating shelves.
You should also replace any outdated appliances. Stainless steel appliances are still a hit with most homeowners due to their beauty and durability. You can get modern stainless steel appliances from the Energy Star brand, which would make any home more energy efficient. It’s a great selling point for any home buyer since your residential energy expenditure often accounts for as much as 50% of your home bills.
Your countertops are also the star of your kitchen design. Be mindful if your countertops have stains or scratches on them. If so, it may be time to replace them with natural stone such as granite, marble, or even engineered stone like quartz, which is very beautiful and durable. As you replace countertops, don’t forget to rework your kitchen island. An island is also the center of the kitchen, and you can enhance it by adding more shelving, seating, and overhead spotlights. You can also replace it with a new one, such as a double island.
Garage
Many homeowners often overlook their garage when making out a moving checklist. Remember, the garage will be frequently used as long as the homeowner has a car. So you could easily make a good impression if you take the time to clean and refinish your garage. Start by using epoxy garage floor coating. This type of protective flooring will make your garage floor look beautiful and can set it up to use that space for other uses beyond storing vehicles.
After all, some people even use their garage as a makeshift office or hobby space. Some people may also convert their garage into an additional bedroom. With a beautifully finished floor that can run into the main home, it can help a potential home buyer envision different uses for it. If your garage floor has been stained by fluids or has cracks, the epoxy sealing can give it a facelift that will last years. .
Don’t underestimate the value of garage cabinetry. Many people need to store various items in their garage, ranging from tools to paint to cleaning supplies to workshop items. So if you’ve already invested in beautiful cabinetry on your moving checklist, it can impress a buyer.
If you already use your garage for your work and hobbies, make sure that you have your items out of the way. So remove all of your personal electronics, paint cans, and other things that can clog up the space. Providing a minimalist and clean feel to your garage as opposed to making it look like an auto mechanic is working there can make it stand out.
School Room or Home Office
Thanks to remote working and homeschooling, more home buyers need a designated space for their work or their children. When you update your home, office, or elementary school room on your moving checklist, it can make your home stand out even more. You can always start by revamping it with a fresh coat of paint. Make sure the area is clean and sanitized so someone can envision themselves working or teaching their kids in the area. Any outlets and light fixtures should be clear so they can see that it’s well-lit and ready for work.
You don’t want the space cluttered with too many personal items. You can leave a few strategic items out so you can emphasize that it’s a space for working and learning. For example, you can leave your task, globe, map, and a computer screen. Add further life into this space by adding plants and some signature wood accents. If it’s your Home Office, it would be a good time to find a nice painting or print to put on the wall. For a schoolroom, add a large whiteboard.
Basement
If your home has basement space, you should certainly add it to your moving checklist. One of the first things you should do as you upgrade your basement is to invest in basement crack repair. Basement cracks can make it vulnerable to water as well as pest infestations. So you should call a local basement waterproofing surface. That can reinforce your basement from the outside and the inside.
So make sure you look for any signs of water damage as it can also lead to mold. No home buyer wants to purchase a home filled with mold. After all, mold endangers the foundation, home value, and your family’s health. Adding mold removal services to your moving checklist can be helpful not only for your basement but also for the health of your overall home.
The basement has often been a dark and damp room. Luckily, your waterproofing services can ensure your basement is dried out and safe. Lighten it up with color as well as a window installation. By installing an emergency exit window, you’ll make the basement safer by having an emergency exit in case of a flood, fire, or other issue. Such a window also provides natural light in the basement so you never feel closed in when you’re down there. That can come in handy if a potential buyer wants to use their basement for a standalone bedroom or apartment, as well as a workspace or entertainment room.
A local electrician can install more light fixtures throughout the basement. A fresh coat of paint in white, off-white, or other bright colors can also make the basement look even bigger and more inviting. When you let interior painters work their magic, you may get a 107% ROI according to Bob Vila.
As you can see, there are many things to consider when you’re trying to sell your home and move within a certain time frame. However, there is no need to stress out as long as you have a moving checklist to reference. So start getting your basement, kitchen, bathroom, and garage ready so when a potential buyer comes in, they won’t hesitate to sign a sale contract..