Selling Guide
Home Selling Tips for the Portland Metro
Buyers form their first impression at the front door, so preparation pays off. This is the checklist I walk my sellers through.
Prep Checklist
Your room by room checklist
Work through it at your own pace. Tap an item to check it off, and watch your progress fill up. Every item is listed in plain text below so you can read the whole checklist at a glance.
Curb Appeal
Garage
Kitchen
Bathrooms
Closets
Living Areas & Bedrooms
Personal
Finishing Touches
Paperwork
Full home selling prep checklist
Curb Appeal
- Stand at the street and look at your home the way a buyer will
- Fresh neutral paint where needed, including baseboards and ceilings
- Lawn mowed, bare spots seeded, weeds pulled, edges trimmed, walkways swept
- Front porch, door and steps clean and freshly painted
- House numbers, mailbox and exterior lights in good shape
- Windows and screens cleaned
- Back yard tidied for the season
Garage
- Clear out clutter so buyers can see cars will fit, or store extras off site while listed
- Garage door opener working smoothly
- Garage door and windows cleaned
Kitchen
- Empty and wipe out cupboards
- Clean the refrigerator inside and out and clear the front
- Clean the oven
- Put away small appliances to free up counter space
- Deep clean or refresh tile grout
- Clear the dining table
Bathrooms
- Put away toiletries
- Fresh towels and a new bath mat and shower curtain if needed
- Clean mirrors, glass and fixtures
- Fix any drips
- Replace any moldy caulking
Closets
- Pack away what you don't need right now so closets look roomy
- Organize clothes and shoes neatly
Living Areas & Bedrooms
- Clean furniture, add fresh pillows, hide cords and clutter
- Neutral bedding
- Declutter and clean the basement
- Clean the fireplace
- Change furnace filters
- Replace dead bulbs and update dated light fixtures
Personal
- Remove family photos, collections and personal items so buyers can picture themselves there
- Make an extra set of keys
- Make a plan for pets and household schedules during showings
Finishing Touches
- A fresh, clean smelling home
- A professional deep clean
- Carpets cleaned
- Listing photography scheduled once the home is ready, and let me know what time of day your home gets its best light
Paperwork
- Utility bills
- Property tax statements
- Renovation details and permits
- Warranties
- Mortgage details
- For condos or HOA homes, your HOA documents
Get Ahead
Consider a Pre Listing Inspection
Finding issues before you list lets you fix them or price for them, instead of discovering them at the negotiating table.
A pre listing inspection is one of the smartest moves a seller can make. It gives us a clear picture of the home's condition up front, so there are no surprises once a buyer is under contract. If something needs attention, we decide together whether to repair it or reflect it in the pricing, and I coordinate the people who do the work.
Why I recommend it
- Surfaces issues early, while you still control the timeline
- Lets you fix or price for problems before a buyer finds them
- Strengthens your position during repair negotiations
- Keeps the deal on track once you are under contract
Zillow Review
A seller's story, in her own words
“Hands Down, this is the realtor I would recommend...Why, you may ask....Well, first and foremost, throughout the selling process, I consistently heard Jill say and show that she had my best interest at heart. [...] The first full day on the market, an offer came $5,000 over asking. Jill listen to my desires, walked me…”
Sold a condo in Forest Heights, Portland, OR (2016)
Zillow review
Common Questions
Prep, answered
Where I Work
My service area
Let's Talk
Ready to get your home ready?
Once your home is ready, the next step is a clear plan and an honest market analysis. Start at Sell Your Home or find out what your home is worth. I serve sellers across Washington County and Multnomah County.
Let's Talk About Your Move.
Or call Jill directly: (503) 502-7787
Seller's Guide
Want My Complete Seller's Guide?
Want My Complete Seller's Guide?
Tell me where to send it.