Seller's Checklist: Update Your Home's Interior

If you're thinking about putting your home on the market, remember that if potential buyers can't envision themselves in the space, you'll likely have a tough time selling it. You should assess the interior of your home first and pay special attention to areas that need work, such as repainting the living room or updating the lighting fixtures in the kitchen, before listing it.

Use our checklist to take an inventory of your living space and pinpoint areas for needed improvement:

Attic

Check underside of roof for leaks, stains or dampness.

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

Look around chimney for condensation or signs of water.

Clean and clear ventilation openings if necessary.

Clean out stored junk.

Walls and ceilings

Check condition of paint and wallpaper.

Repair cracks, holes or damage to plaster or wallboard.

Windows and doors

Check for smooth operation.

Replace broken or cracked panes.

Repair glazing.

Check condition of weather stripping and caulking.

Examine paint.

Test doorbell or chimes.

Test burglar alarms.

Wash windows and woodwork.

Floors

Inspect for creaking boards, loose or missing tiles, worn areas.

Check baseboards and moldings.

Test the staircases for loose handrails, posts, treads.

Clean carpets.

Bathrooms

Check tile joints, grouting and caulking.

Remove mildew.

Repair faucets and shower heads that are dripping.

Check the condition of painted or papered walls.

Test operation of toilet.

Kitchen

Wash all appliances.

Clean ventilator or exhaust fan.

Remove accumulation of grease or dust from tiles, walls, cabinets, floors.

Basement

Remove clutter.

Check for signs of dampness, cracked walls or damaged floors.

Inspect structural beams.

Check pipes for leaks.

Electrical system

Check exposed wiring and outlets for signs of wear or damage.

Repair broken switches and outlets.

Label each circuit or fuse.

Plumbing system

Check water pressure when taps in bathroom(s) and kitchen are turned on.

Look for leaks at faucets and sink traps.

Clear slow-running or clogged drains.

Bleed air off radiators if needed, and check for leaking valves.

Heating/cooling systems

Change or clean filters from furnace and air-conditioning equipment.

Have equipment serviced if needed.

Clear and clean area around heating and cooling equipment.