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Remove all clutter and personal items.
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Clear floors, stairs, hallways, and entryways.
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Put away cords, chargers, remotes, toys, and pet items.
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Remove trash cans, recycling bins, and laundry baskets.
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Dust surfaces, vacuum carpets, and mop hard floors.
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Clean mirrors, glass doors, and interior windows.
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Replace burned-out bulbs and match visible bulb warmth.
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Open blinds and curtains evenly.
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Remove everything unnecessary from countertops.
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Remove paper towel holders, soap bottles, sponges, brushes, and drying racks.
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Put away small appliances unless intentionally decorative.
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Clear the sink and put away all dishes.
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Remove magnets, photos, papers, and calendars from the refrigerator.
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Clean countertops, backsplash, sink, cabinet fronts, and appliances.
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Straighten barstools, chairs, and tables.
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Remove floor mats, trash cans, recycling bins, and pet bowls.
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Remove everything from countertops.
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Remove soap, toothbrushes, makeup, razors, medications, and toiletries.
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Remove every product from showers and tubs.
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Remove bath mats and rugs from the floor.
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Put away trash cans, toilet brushes, plungers, scales, and cleaners.
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Close toilet lids.
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Hang fresh coordinating towels neatly or remove them entirely.
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Clean mirrors, glass, sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.
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Make beds neatly and tuck in all sheets.
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Smooth comforters, duvets, and bedding with no visible creases.
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Fluff and place pillows perfectly.
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Clear nightstands and dresser tops.
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Put away clothing, shoes, hampers, and exercise equipment.
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Organize visible closets and clear anything visible beneath beds.
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Clear coffee tables, end tables, and dining tables.
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Remove excess pillows, blankets, toys, magazines, and personal items.
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Hide remotes and visible cords.
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Straighten bookshelves, décor, chairs, and furniture.
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Set the dining table simply or leave it completely clear.
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Remove highchairs, booster seats, and unnecessary furniture.
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Clear desks and remove paperwork, calendars, and sensitive documents.
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Put away routers, printers, chargers, and office supplies when possible.
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Turn off televisions and computer monitors.
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Remove family photos and highly personal décor where appropriate.
Laundry, Mudroom + Garage
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Put away detergent, cleaning products, shoes, bags, coats, and sports gear.
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Clear the tops of the washer and dryer.
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Organize shelves, counters, hooks, and hanging areas.
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Remove laundry and hampers.
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Sweep the garage if it will be photographed.
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Remove all cars from the garage.
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Hide tools, hoses, garbage cans, and yard equipment.
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Pressure wash the home, driveway, walkways, porch, patio, deck, and pool decking as needed.
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Have interior and exterior windows professionally cleaned.
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Mow the lawn and edge walkways, driveway, and planting beds.
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Remove weeds, leaves, branches, and yard debris.
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Prune shrubs and trees and tidy landscaping.
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Refresh mulch or pine straw.
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Sweep porches, patios, decks, steps, and outdoor living areas.
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Clean doors, exterior lights, railings, and house numbers.
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Hide hoses, sprinklers, tools, toys, bicycles, and trash bins.
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Remove temporary signs and unnecessary exterior signage.
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Uncover, clean, and skim the pool.
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Remove pool cleaners, nets, chemicals, floats, and toys.
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Clean and arrange outdoor furniture.
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Remove furniture covers and grill covers.
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Clean cushions and place outdoor pillows neatly.
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Make sure fountains, fire features, pool features, and exterior lighting are working.
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Remove pets from the property for the entire appointment.
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Put away pet bowls, beds, crates, litter boxes, toys, and leashes.
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Remove all cars from the driveway and garage; do not park directly in front of the home.
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Turn on every interior and exterior light.
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Open all blinds and curtains evenly.
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Turn off ceiling fans, televisions, and computer monitors.
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Final bed check: no wrinkles or creases, and every pillow perfectly placed.
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Remove any remaining dishes, toiletries, clothing, shoes, cords, or clutter.
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Close toilet lids and remove bath mats.
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Unlock gates, detached buildings, storage rooms, and every area being photographed.
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Have everyone leave the property before photography and videography begin.
Preparing to sell your Charleston home?
Gary can help you identify the preparation steps that will make the greatest difference before your property reaches the market.
Call Gary
The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Broker Reciprocity Program of Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® -- All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal,
non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than MRREALESTATESC may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright ©2026 All rights reserved.
Last Updated: September 12, 2026 4:58 PM UTC
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