Prepare for the following as soon as you decide to sell. Don't wait until the critical first days on the market.

HOUSE EXTERIOR
House number must be easy to read
Eaves troughs, down spouts and soffits in good repair
Garage/car port clean and tidy
Litter picked up
Cracked or broken window panes replaced
Lawns and hedges cut and trimmed, garden weeded and edged
Walks shovelled and salted
Boot tray inside front door
Doorbell and door hardware in good repair
Porch and foyer clean and tidy

HOUSE INTERIOR
De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter
Chipped plaster and paint touched-up and replaced
Doors and cupboards properly closed
Leaky taps and toilets repaired
Burned out light bulbs replaced
Squeaky doors oiled
Mirrors, fixtures, and taps cleaned and polished
Seals around tubs, countertops and basins in good repair
Floors cleaned, garbage containers empty
Inside of closets and cupboards neat and tidy
Appliances cleaned
Countertops neat and polished
All lights turned on
Air conditioner turned on in warm weather
Fresh air in house
Fireplace lit in cooler weather
Halls and stairs cleaned
Drapes opened during daylight
Carpets freshly vacuumed
Fresh flowers in various rooms
Jewelry and valuables locked safely away or taken with you
Valuable property, such as objects of art, vases and figurines out of reach, out of sight, or locked away
Pets absent, where possible, or contained during the showing, and litter boxes clean