When you’re putting your house on the market, it’s incredibly important to make sure it’s in tip top shape! First impressions mean everything, so there are several key things you need to do before you put your house on the market.

Here’s a checklist to help you remember the things you need to fix up before your how is show ready.

1.       Carpeting

Are your carpets far beyond cleaning? Then, they need to be replaced. If your carpets are still in good condition, then all you need to do is get them professionally cleaned. Just having clean and fresh carpets really can make a huge difference. Also, if you have pets it’s a good idea to get them cleaned to get rid of any bacteria that the carpet fibers could be housing. Bacteria could potentially cause health problems, but also will make your carpets smell foul.

2.       Curb Appeal

“A lot of people won’t go into a house if it looks bad from the outside,” says Tom Silva, general contractor on the PBS series “This Old House” and “Ask This Old House.” “Curb appeal is the beginning of getting people to look at the inside.” Check out the outside exterior of your home to see if anything is looking worn, or broken. Make sure your trees and shrubs are trimmed and not interfering with any of the windows. Check the flowerbeds for overgrown weeds, and make sure it looks presentable. If the paint on the front door is faded, then repaint it. If the shingles are curling on the roof, then call a roofer to have them fixed. You want your house to look like it’s been taken care of by someone who cares.

3.       Paint the Interior Walls

If you have a lot of wallpaper, it’s best to get rid of it. Everyone does not have the same design preference, so it’s best to make your house look as fitting as possible for anyone looking to buy a home. Walls acquire scratches and scuff marks over time, so doing the easy task of repainting, can make all the difference.

4.       Lighting

Check every room to see if all the light bulbs are working. Also, you want to lean towards well lit over dim. Light can affect the overall mood that presides over a room, so up the wattage on the light bulbs. Before any showings, make sure all the lights and lamps in every room are on.

5.       Clean, Clean, Clean!

“Housework is something you do that nobody notices until you don’t do it.” Yep, you want your house to be in the best possible shape, so cleaning in a necessity. Clean up any clutter that is sitting around your house. Do your lights or cabinets look like they’re growing hair, then they need to be dusted. Take care of flooring; that means carpets need to be vacuumed, tile should be cleaned, marble or wood floors might need to be polished.

Remember, you want your house to look like it’s been good care of!