Curb Appeal Checklist:

Does your house have curb appeal? Can you give it a little more pizzazz to draw the buyer in? Would a bit of touch-up paint add dollars to the sale? What about the garden? Is the lawn in order and neatly edged? Are trees and bushes neatly pruned? Are flowers in bloom? If not, it may be time for a garden upgrade. Adding colorful annuals to the front garden will make a big difference. Remember, creating curb appeal will add dollars to your house's final selling price.

Curb Appeal Checklist

Inspect the outside ground. Remove any building materials, scrap wood, discarded household items, etc. from the property. Store garbage cans in the garage. Check the home from the roof line down. Is the roof free and clear from obstructions and moss? Are the gutters clear and neatly hung? Are the windows clean and free from obstructions (such as overgrown bushes or trees)? Are bushes, trees and shrubs neatly pruned? Inspect the condition of the paint or siding? Is it time to power wash the siding? Is touch up paint needed? Is the front door in good shape? Do flower beds need an upgrade? Are plants neatly pruned? Is the bed free and clear of weeds? Is the bed properly mulched? Are flowers in bloom? Keep the lawn neatly groomed. Is the lawn free from weeds? Is the lawn free from grass clippings? Is the lawn neatly edged?

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Home Inspection Checklist
Address:	Contact:
Exterior	Notes
Grade Grade slopes away from the house. No standing water. Homes at the bottom of a hill. Water is directed away for the house.
Driveway Driveway slopes away from the garage. No large cracks. No excessive weed growth. No heaving or uneven spots. No potholes or missing paver stones. Drain at entrance of garage for driveways that slope down.
Foundation Appears in good shape. Foundation is above the grade. Foundation appears straight. No large cracks. No crumbling. No water stains or signs of dampness. No moss or mildew growth.
Exterior Structure Appears in good shape. No rotting of the sill plate. No missing siding or bricks. Walls appear straight. Roof line appears straight with no sagging. Porch or doorsill appear straight.
Roof Check from the ground using binoculars. Appears to be in good shape. No missing shingles or tiles. Edges are not lifted. No moss growth. Shingles are not worn or torn. Flat roofs should only be inspected by a professional.
Chimney Check from the ground using binoculars. Appears to be straight. No large cracks. No missing mortar between the bricks. No missing bricks or stones. Not separating from the house. No black tar leaching on outside. You may want the chimney cleaned by a professional before the sale of a home.
Eaves troughs & Downspouts Securely attached to the roof. No cracks or joint gaps. No excess chalking. Directs water away from the house. Have not eroded away the landscaping.
Windows & Doors Fit well in openings. Open smoothly with no binding. Hardware in working order. No rotting or missing trim. All weather stripping intact. No missing or broken glass. No torn screens. Exterior doors are solid core. In colder climates Insulated glass in windows and doors. Storm doors and windows.
Garage Concrete slab with no major cracks. At least 6 inch concrete wall. Door opens and closes smoothly. Garage door opener works. Attached Garage Door to house closes tightly. Door to house is fire rate steel door. Door to house closes automatically. 5/8 wallboard on ceiling and common walls.
Interior	Notes
Basement No large cracks. No standing water. No water on walls, especially corners. Look for sagging floor joist. No damaged floor joist. No rotted sill plate. Finished basements No cracks in plaster or wall board. No musty smell. (sign of water) No warped molding. (sign of water) No water stains in ceiling.
Interior Structure Appears in good shape. No cracks in plaster. Floors do not bounce. No sagging in ceilings. Windows fit tightly in openings. Doors close tightly and latch. Check walls for bowing out or in.
Plumbing All plumbing fixtures work. All drains drain freely. Drains do not gurgle or spout air. Fixtures do not drip. Check for water pressure. Check tile in showers for cracks and gaps. In the Basement or crawl space. Inspect plumbing for workmanship and neatness. No leaks around joints. No water around water heater. Check age of water heater. Inspect any other plumbing device.
Heating & Air Conditioning Determine type of system, forced air, radiant heat, electric, etc. Inspect system for age and general condition. Check flu's and vents. System is clean and free of debris. Turn thermostat to highest setting and check heating. Turn thermostat to lowest setting and check cooling.
Electrical Lights and fixtures turn on. Outlets and switches have cover plates. Lights and ceiling fans installed properly. Outlets are properly grounded. (Purchase a receptacle tester at local hardware) Ground Fault Interrupt, (GFI), outlet in the bathrooms. GFI outlets, in the kitchen near the sink. GFI outlets outside and in the garage. Outlets every 12 feet in the house. Main panel seems in order.
Floors Floors are even and true. No excessive creaking.. Flooring material is not worn out. Hardwood floor is laid appropriately. Carpet is tacked down completely with no wrinkles. Tile floors have no cracks. Flooring material is appropriate to the house.
Doors Doors open and close properly. Fit well in opening. Hardware works properly. Do not scrape along the floor. Sliding doors open and close smoothly. All molding is in place and installed properly.
Ventilation Check vents in bathrooms. Check oven vent in kitchen. Check dryer vent. No obstructions inside or outside. Vents work properly with no noticeable problems. All vents exhaust freely.
Fireplace Damper and vents open freely. Determine last cleaning. No smoke stains above fireplace. No cracks or other damage in fire box. No obstructions to the flue. Chimney seems to be in working order.
Kitchen Cabinets are sturdy and properly aligned. Doors and drawer open and close smoothly. No significant damage to counter tops. Check under sink for rotting. Kitchen Appliances Appliances are free of damage. Dishwasher operates properly. Oven and Stove operates properly. Refrigerator operates properly.
Professional Inspections	Notes
Termite & Insects Passed    Failed
Mechanical Systems Heating                 Passed    Failed Air Conditioning   Passed    Failed Plumbing              Passed    Failed Electrical               Passed    Failed Appliances            Passed    Failed Gas                        Passed    Failed
Structure Passed    Failed
Roof Years Left            Replace
Chimney Cleaned and Inspected
Water Passed    Failed
Required Inspections Radon               Passed    Failed Asbestos           Passed    Failed

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As you walk in the door of your house, ask yourself, "Will this house say, 'Welcome home' to a buyer?" To help stage your home, eliminate anything that gives the appearance of clutter. Countertops should be free and clear. Knickknacks, souvenirs, family photos, refrigerator artwork - it's gone.  Also "de-personalize" the house so buyers can imagine it as their home. Closets and cupboards should appear large and roomy. It's time to make a donation to a local charity or store belongings at a friend's or family member's home. Review your home room-by-room. Clear excess/crowded furniture. Note rooms that need new paint, carpet that needs to be changed, fixtures that need polishing, windows that need cleaning, and any other improvement that can easily be made to promote the sale.

Staging Checklist

Remove all clutter from the house. Are countertops free and clear? Have you removed unnecessary furniture throughout the house? Remove the art gallery and coupon collection from the refrigerator. Check the bathrooms. Are the surfaces clean and clear? Are shower curtains and doors hung properly? Is the flooring clean and fresh? Are towels neatly hung? Check the walls. Is paint and wallpaper fresh and clean? Are the walls free from holes? Are there any colors or objects on the walls that need to be removed? Check the floors. Is the carpet clean and free from stains? Are hard surface floors clean and free from stains? Check windows and window coverings. Are all the windows clean? Are draperies and blinds clean? Pet check. Are there any signs that this is a pet's home? Be sure to clean and remove kitty litter, pet toys and bedding. Is the air fresh? Try to air out the home prior to showings. Avoid commercial air freshners. Use fresh flowers instead. Set the mood prior to showings. Open draperies and blinds. Turn on the radio to a classical music station, set the volume on low. If you have time, cook a batch of cookies to have the warm, welcoming aroma permeating the home.

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