The Interior of Your Home

Plumbing and Fixtures
Check all sinks and plumbing fixtures for appearance.  Consider hiring a professional cleaning company or simply make sure your bathrooms and kitchen are clean and organized.  If you are experiencing any plumbing leaks, consider replacement of sinks, vanities, toilets or the hot water tank.  Plumbing issues – real or perceived – are a major red flag for buyers and home inspectors.  It is advisable to address issues initially when possible.

Ceilings, Walls and Painting
Check all the ceilings for water stains. If a prior repair was performed, make sure that ceilings, plaster or drywall are repaired as well. 
Painting can be your best investment when selling your home. It is not a very expensive operation and often you can do it yourself. Do not choose colors based on your own preferences, but based on what would appeal to the widest possible number of buyers. Colors that are off-white often help your rooms appear bright and spacious.

Carpet and Flooring
Unless your carpet appears old and worn, hiring a professional carpet cleaner is a worthwhile investment. 
Repair or replace broken floor tiles as needed and, if you have hardwood floors, consider waxing or polishing them – doing so significantly enhances the appearance of your home.

Windows and Doors
Check all of your windows to make sure they open and close easily. In addition, if you are able to offer a buyer a full and complete set of storm windows and screens, your home has an attractive amenity.  Consider having storm windows or screens repaired as needed.  Make sure there are no cracked or broken windowpanes. If there are, replace them before you begin showing your home.
Make sure they open and close properly, without creaking. If they do, a shot of WD40 on the hinges usually makes the creak go away. Be sure the doorknobs turn easily, and that they are cleaned and polished to look sharp. As buyers go from room to room, someone opens each door and you want to do everything necessary to create a positive impression.

Odor Control
For those who smoke, consider minimizing smoking indoors while trying to sell your home. You could also purchase an ozone spray that helps to remove odors without creating a masking odor.
Pets of all kinds create odors that you may have become used to, but are immediately noticeable to those with more finely tuned olfactory senses. For those with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes daily. Consider the purchase of products that can be added to kitty litter that helps to control odor. For those with dogs, keep the dog outdoors as much as possible. You might also try sprinkling carpet freshener on the carpet on a periodic basis.

Costs of Repairs
Be careful not to overspend as you prepare your home for sale.  Repairing obvious defects and correcting any city violations make your home more attractive to a wider array of buyers.  However, do not “redecorate” your home and do not overspend in an attempt to “guess” what the next owner would want done.  Cost effective enhancements such as mulching beds and making your yard look nice, steam cleaning carpet, cleaning your basement to remove clutter and touching up paint as needed give you a big “bang” for your buck.