• Keep the kitchen and bathrooms in good condition; get rid of discoloured, missing, or loose grout around ceramic tiles.
  
  
• Address numbers and mailboxes should be hung straight. Numbers should be easily seen from the street.
  
  
• Open the blinds or drapes. Potential purchasers want to see bright and airy rooms. Replace any light bulbs that have been burnt out.
  
  
• Keep the interior neutral -- this will also help to lighten the house. Dark colours can make rooms appear smaller. Replace any wallpaper or paint that is outdated.
  
  
• Clean out the closets, basement, and other storage areas, including clutter in the kitchen. Storage space is crucial to most homebuyers.
  
  
• Fix loose or broken doorknobs.
  
  
• Don’t cook a meal heavy with odours the day of an open house or any showings.
  
  
• Scrape away chipped and peeling paint on basement floors. Add lighting to rooms that are especially dark.
  
  
• If you have chipped paint on doors, trim and baseboards, take the time to repaint – it will give the impression that your home has been cared for over the years.
  
  
• Drywall compound and paint is the solution for water stains and cracked drywall on ceilings or walls once the leak has been fixed.

The simplest repairs can make a positive impact when showing your property. Remember you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, so be sure to make the right one the first time.