Home Seller’s Preparation Checklist

• Outdoors:

House exterior:

1. Does it need a paint job?
2. Is there wood rot on:
   1. Garage door trim?
   2. Corner boards?
   3. Fascia?
   4. Deck supports?
3. Is vinyl siding loose or damaged?
4. Check windows for:
   1. Breaks, cracks
   2. Glazing on single-panes
   3. Condition of storm units
   4. Broken seal or fogging of Thermopane
   5. Condition of sills
   6. Condition of casings
5. Check steps for:
   1. Loose treads
   2. Rotted wood
   3. Deteriorated cement
   4. Secure railings
6. Check doors for:
   1. Finish
   2. Weather stripping
   3. Rotted areas
7. Check sliders for:
   1. Easy operation
   2. Clarity
   3. Good screen
8. Check electrical for:
   1. Working GFI outlets
   2. Entry wire in good condition

Landscaping:

1. Are the shrubs away from the house and well trimmed?
2. Are tree limbs overhanging?
3. Is there any growth on the house (vines, etc.)?
4. Does the driveway have:
   1. Cracks?
   2. Enough parking?
5. Is the fencing in good condition?
6. Is the ground graded away from the house?
7. Is there any evidence of pests?
8. Are the walkways safe and aesthetically pleasing?

Roofs and Chimneys:

1. Check asphalt shingles:
   1. Brittle?
   2. Cracked?
   3. Curled?
   4. Loss of mineral surface?
   5. Lifted or missing shingles?
2. Check wood shingles:
   1. Warped?
   2. Moss-covered?
   3. Cracked?
3. Check tile roof:
   1. Cracks?
   2. Missing tiles?
   3. Broken tiles?
4. Check chimney:
   1. Cracks?
   2. Secure?
   3. Surface deteriorated?
   4. Crown condition?

Garage:

1. Fire protection:
   1. Common walls – 5/8” dry wall with tape
   2. Fire-rated door
   3. Floor below home floor
2. Automatic garage door opener:
   1. Pressure sensor operative
   2. Dedicated outlet
3. Manually operated:
   1. Smooth operation
   2. Springs lubricated
4. Check electrical for:
   1. Hanging wires
   2. Open splices
   3. Open junction boxes
5. Make sure plumbing is adequately heated.
   Inspect floor for spills and cracks.
6. Inspect structure for wood rot.
7. Remove stored cars from garage.

• Indoors:

House interior:

Basement/Crawl space:

1. Condition of access area:
   1. Weather and pest-proof
   2. Easy to open/close
2. Ventilation:
   1. Vent screens/windows
   2. Moisture
3. Are the joists soft or rotten?
4. Is the insulation fallen or loose? 
5. Is the paper side facing the living area?
6. Is the foundation solid?
7. Are the floors clean?
8. Is there evidence of pests or vermin?
9. Is it heated to prevent freezing pipes? 
10. Is the water running?
11. Wiring:
    1. Open splices?
    2. Loose wires?
    3. BX cable condition?
12. Are the supports rusted, rotted, or fallen?
13. Is the ductwork damaged, rusty, or disconnected?
14. Is the lighting easily accessible?

Attic:

1. Is it easily accessible and clutter-free?
2. Are the floorboards secured?
3. Are the roof vents clear?
4. Is the lighting easily accessible?
5. Is the roof sheathing dry or moldy?
6. Wiring:
   1. Open splices?
   2. Open junction boxes?
   3. Frayed wires?
7. Are the rafters cracked or broken?
8. Are there leaks in the chimney or roof?

Fireplaces:

1. Is the chimney clean?
2. Are the dampers rusty or loose?
3. Is the heath secure?
4. Are there any broken bricks or loose grout?
5. Do the doors work?
6. Don’t use the fireplace just before or during the inspection.

Laundry Room:

1. Is the vent pipe clear, and connected to the exterior?
2. Are the service connections secured?
3. Washer plumbing:
   1. Supply valves leak-free?
   2. Corrosion-free?
   3. Discharge pipe intact?
   4. Is there a laundry sink drain?
4. Is the lighting easily accessible?
5. Don’t do laundry just before or during inspection.

Bathrooms:

1. Floor:
   1. Cracked tiles?
   2. Loose grout?
   3. Peeling vinyl?
   4. Caulk around tub in good condition?
2. Vanity:
   1. Leaks?
   2. Corrosion?
   3. Sink clean?
   4. Counter clean?
3. Is the GFI outlet working?
4. Toilet:
   1. Stained?
   2. Cracked?
   3. Flush easily?
5. Venting:
   1. Does the window work?
   2. Is there a fan connected to the exterior?
6. Tub/shower area:
   1. Loose tiles?
   2. Wall/tub well caulked?
   3. Is it clean?
   4. Do the faucets leak?
   5. Are the shower door tracks clean?

Kitchen:

1. Are the cabinets and drawers clean and operational?
2. Are the counters clear?
3. Does the stove work?
4. Does the ventilation work?
5. Does the dishwasher open and drain properly?

Walls/ceilings:

1. Are there any stains, cracks, or faded paint/plaster?

Floors:

1. Is the carpet clean?
2. Have wood floors been buffed or refinished?
3. Do tile floors have any cracks or loose grout?

Windows:

1. Do they open/close easily?
2. Is the hardware intact?
3. Is the glass clean?
4. Are the casement handles intact?
5. Is there fogging on the Thermopane?
6. Are the screens present and in good condition?

Interior doors:

1. Does the door close evenly?
2. Is there any damage?
3. Is the hardware intact?

Stairs:

1. Are the railings secured?
2. Are the stair treads safe?
3. Utilities:

Heating:

1. Let the buyer know whether it’s oil, gas, or electric.
2. Show how the heat is delivered: ductwork, baseboard, or radiant.
3. Let the buyer know the age of the unit.
4. Operation of system:
   1. Are the shut-off switches on?
   2. Are there service tags on the unit?
   3. Make sure there’s no debris near the unit
   4. Was it serviced in the past 12 months?
   5. Change filters, check for leaks, and/or clean the flue pipe
5. Make sure the baseboards are in good condition, and there’s asbestos on the heating pipes.
6. Are there any loose valves?

Plumbing:

1. Is kitchen faucet leaky?  Check under cabinet for evidence of leakage.
2. Are the bath faucets leaky?  Check under cabinet for evidence of leakage.
3. Is the tub faucet leaky?
4. Does the shower diverter work?
5. Is there a drain plug?
6. Toilets: 
   1. Does it run?
   2. Is the flush weak?
   3. Is there base leakage?
   4. Is the seat intact?
7. Water heater:
   1. Leakage?
   2. Rust?
   3. Relief valve 6-10” above ground?
   4. Adequate hot water?
   5. Flue pipe in good condition?
   6. Storage away from unit?
   7. Documents in place?
8. Well:
   1. Lid secured?
   2. Rodent-proof opening?
   3. Hazardous materials kept away?

Electrical:

1. Load center:
   1. Openings visible from outside?
   2. Cover missing?
   3. Is it a fuse or breaker style?
2. Is the main entry wire in good condition?
3. Are there GFI outlets in the bathrooms, kitchen, exterior, and pool/hot tub areas?
4. Have any potential wiring defects checked by an electrician.
5. Are there working smoke detectors present?

Environmental hazards:

1. Radon in air/water?
2. Asbestos in air?
3. Mold/mildew?
4. Lead in water/paint?
5. Air quality?
6. Water quality?
7. Soil contamination?

• Make sure the home is clean, comfortable, and easily accessible for your buyer.