Seller's Guide | chantelcrisp
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The Seller's Guide

for a Crisp Sale

Everything you need to know and

all the right people on your side. 

Getting your home ready

This guide is a great resource for the information you need to help you list your home for sale. 

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This is a general guide for home sellers so not everything will apply directly to your home sale. By collecting the information and gathering the paperwork now, you’ll be better prepared to make this a smooth transaction. 

There are also some practical tips on how to make your home show-ready. This list comes from years of experience working with both sellers and buyers and following marketing trends. Our goal is to help you get the most money for your home in the shortest time possible, and with the least amount of stress. 

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If you have any questions about anything you find below, please email us or call us today.

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INFORMATION NEEDED:

PAPERWORK TO COLLECT:

  • Copy of Survey (if you have one) 

  • Copy of Floor Plan (if you have one) 

  • Copies of permits and inspections (if applicable) 

  • Anything that must be assumed with the sale of the property 

  • Copy of mortgage information

  • Copy of all contracts entered prior to closing (eg. Roof to be installed, new fence)

  • Receipts of all Improvements/Repairs to property 

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INFORMATION:

  • What year was your home built​?

  • Age of Furnace? 

  • Age of Windows?  

  • Age of Doors? 

  • Age of Central Air-conditioning? 

  • agreement with neighbour) 

  • Age of Pool? 

  • Age of Pool Liner? 

  • Age of Pool Equipment? 

  • Age of Hot Tub? 

  • Garbage/Recycling Days? 

  • Contractors Used for Lawn Maintenance 

  • Last Time Septic Tank was Pumped? 

  • Last Time Septic Tank was Serviced? (if applicable) 

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OPERATING COSTS: (APPROXIMATE) 

Annual Cost of Water: _____________ 

Annual Cost of Gas: _____________ 

Annual Cost of Electrical: _____________ 

Annual Cost of Home Insurance: _____________

PREPARING YOUR HOME 

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This section outlines the things you should be doing to get your home ready to go on the market. You don’t have to do it all yourself, you can hire people to do some of this for you. If you would like some recommendations on reputable local professionals just reach out to us.

Flooring

(carpeting, tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.) 

  • Clean any stains

  • Repair excessive wear or damage

  • Carpet or area rugs need to be cleaned?

 

Walls and ceilings 

  • Dirt, fingerprints or other stains?

  • Nail or thumb-crack holes, tape residue?

  • Cracks, chips, water damage? 

  • Need for repainting or new wallpaper?

  • Neutral, light colours for roomy environment? 

 

Doors

  • Fingerprints or other stains? 

  • Need new paint?

  • Open/close easily without squeaks or catching on the floor? 

  • Latches/handles secure and working properly?

  • Time to update the hardware? 

 

Windows Glass 

  • Sparkling clean/chip- and crack-free?

  • Open/close easily?

  • Latches/handles/locks working properly? 

  • Dirt and fingerprints on frames or sills?

  • Screens clean and without holes? Storm windows in good condition? 

 

Window coverings

(curtains, drapes, blinds, etc.) 

  • Dirt or stains? Excessive wear or sun damage? 

  • Open/close easily, hardware working properly? 

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Lighting

(lighting makes a room feel more inviting) 

  • All bulbs working and proper wattage?

  • Broken switches, exposed wiring?

  • Table and floor lamps working properly?

  • All bulbs are same colour

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Basement, furnace room, garage, attic storeroom 

  • Clean and well-organized?

  • Clutter and excess “junk” removed?

  • Remaining items stored/stacked neatly?

  • Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?

  • Wipe down furnace and Top of Hot Water Tank 

 

Pet Areas

  • Clean, organized, odour-free? 

 

Entryways and hallways 

  • Clean and free of clutter or obstructions?

  • Welcome mat(s) clean and inviting? 

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Closets and storage areas 

  • Clean and well organized?

  • Clutter and excess junk removed?

  • Clothes hung neatly and not jammed together?

  • Shoes and boots neatly stored/stacked? 

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Kitchen 

  • Every surface sparkling clean?

  • Countertops organized, all but daily use appliances? Refrigerator spotless inside and out? Organized? Spoiled food discarded?

  • Frost removed?

  • Light bulbs working? (Buyers look!) 

  • Oven/stovetop clean?

  • Burner trays cleaned? 

  • Sinks clean; faucets working properly and leak-free? 

  • Garbage disposal in good working condition? 

  • Cupboards/pantry spotless, organized? Dishwasher clean and stain-free? 

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Living room, dining room, bedrooms, den and study 

  • Everything thoroughly vacuumed/dusted?

  • Excess furniture removed for roomier atmosphere? 

  • Remaining furniture clean and in good repair?

  • Wood and other surfaces clean and polished?

  • Bookshelves neat, organized and clutter-free?

  • Children’s games/toys stored neatly?

  • Fragile items removed and stored?

  • Smaller valuables removed/locked away?

  • Window coverings open for views and sunlight? 

  • Mirrors clean and in good repair?

  • Ashtrays cleaned and kept out of sight?

  • Fireplace clean, logs/kindling stacked neatly?

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Bathrooms/powder room 

Every surface sparkling clean?

Countertops organized, free of clutter?

Fresh soap?

Sinks spotlessly clean, faucets working properly? 

Tub and shower surfaces clean?

Towels stain-free and hanging neatly?

Shower curtain clean and in good repair?

Toilet extra-clean and working properly?

Closets organized and clutter-free?

Medicine cabinet clean, “personal items” removed? 

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME ​

 

Structures

  • Exterior surfaces clean, in good condition?

  • Front-door exterior clean, inviting?

  • Eavestroughs and downspouts clean, in good repair?

  • Gates open/close properly, hardware working?

  • Fences/decks in good repair, in good condition?

  • Sidewalks and walkways in good repair?

  • Driveway clean, in good repair?

 

Yards and Improvements​

  • Lawns mowed/edged regularly?

  • Large bare spots repaired?

  • Leaves removed from lawns and flower beds?

  • Flower beds weeded and tidy; dead plants replaced? “Junk” and scrap removed?

  • Lawn furniture clean, organized, good repair?

  • Bicycles, children’s toys stored neatly, out of way?

  • Firewood organized and neatly stacked?

  • Dog runs secure, yard free of “doggy deposits”?

  • Garbage and Recycle Bins cleaned and free from smells 

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