Preparing your home for rent

Thank you for choosing In Touch Properties for your property management needs.

This information explains how to prepare your home for rent and make the process as smooth as possible. A clean, safe, well-maintained home makes a strong first impression and is more likely to attract qualified renters.

Remember: first impressions are lasting impressions.

Depending on the management plan and the home’s occupancy, we may begin showing the property before you move out. Keeping the home clean, accessible, and well maintained helps potential renters see it at its best.

tips for preparing your property to show

Remove clutter: Pack away out-of-season clothing to make closets feel more spacious. Remove small decorative items and other unnecessary belongings from visible areas.

Organize the garage: Remove trash, personal items, and anything that limits access or makes the space feel crowded.

Deep-clean visible surfaces: Wash windows and screens to let in natural light. Clean switch plates and outlet covers, mop hard-surface floors, and wipe interior and closet doors on both sides.

Service the HVAC basics: Install a clean air filter and clean supply vents, return vents, and accessible grilles.

Clear the entrance: Put away children’s toys and keep the front entrance free of anything that could discourage a potential renter from entering the home.

Clean the exterior: Pressure-wash exterior surfaces and clean the gutters as needed.

Remove odors: Have carpets professionally cleaned, wash drapes as appropriate, and eliminate cooking, smoke, and pet odors. When weather permits, open windows to let in fresh air. A clean, fresh-smelling home makes a lasting first impression.

Check lighting: Replace all missing or burned-out light bulbs.

Clean appliances: Thoroughly clean the stove, oven, refrigerator, and the areas around and beneath them.

Complete minor repairs: Repair dripping faucets, torn window screens, and broken switch plates or outlet covers. Do not use touch-up paint or patch nail holes. If painting is needed, coordinate a complete wall or room repaint in an approved neutral color.

Maintain the lawn: Mow, edge, trim hedges and shrubs, remove weeds, and keep the yard clear of clutter.

Refresh the entry: Clean the entry door and polish the doorknob and hardware. If the door needs paint, repaint the entire surface with properly matched paint rather than using spot touch-ups.

Move-In Ready

Based on our experience, a home in move-in-ready condition is more likely to attract a qualified renter quickly. The sooner the property is ready to market and show, the sooner it can begin generating rental income.

Use the preparation checklist below as a room-by-room guide. Complete one area at a time and confirm that each space is clean, safe, functional, and ready to show.

Once your property is under management with In Touch Properties, we can provide a list of qualified professionals who can help with cleaning, repairs, painting, flooring, landscaping, and other preparation needs.

Key Steps Before Marketing Your Home

Painting: Assess walls, trim, baseboards, doors, and closets. Do not spot-touch paint or patch nail holes. If paint is needed, coordinate a complete wall or room repaint using an approved neutral color.
Interior cleaning: Complete a thorough room-by-room cleaning using the detailed checklist below.
Pet odors and stains: Professionally clean and deodorize carpet. If odors or stains remain, consult a flooring professional about treatment or replacement.
Floors: Arrange professional carpet cleaning and clean tile and grout as needed.
HVAC: Schedule preventive maintenance if needed, clean supply and return vents, and install a clean filter.
Pool: Maintain the pool until the property is rented, if applicable.
Exterior: Pressure-wash exterior surfaces and complete yard maintenance as needed.

Property Preparation Checklist

Please note: This checklist is a preparation guide for owners getting a home ready to market and rent.

If the property remains occupied while it is being advertised, keep it clean, safe, and accessible for scheduled showings. If it is vacant, it must be fully show-ready before advertising begins.

PLEASE DO NOT USE TOUCH-UP PAINT OR PATCH NAIL HOLES.

Spot repairs often create visible color or sheen mismatches and can make a wall look worse. If painting is necessary, coordinate with In Touch Properties and repaint the complete wall or room in an approved neutral color. Once the property is under management, we can provide referrals to qualified painting professionals.

EXTERIOR

Lawn: Mow and edge the entire lawn where applicable. Remove weeds and trim shrubs and landscaping.
Front entrance: Remove personal items. Sweep and clean the entry, and wipe the front door free of dirt, debris, and cobwebs.
Patio, deck, and rear entry: Remove personal items. Sweep and clean these areas, and wipe the rear door free of dirt, debris, and cobwebs.
Storage building: If applicable, remove personal items and sweep the interior clean.
Trash and debris: Remove all trash, debris, and personal belongings before the property is marketed or shown.
Screens: Repair or replace missing and damaged screens.

ENTRY/COAT CLOSETS

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.

LIVING ROOM

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans, and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out.
Clean the fireplace and remove debris where applicable.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.

HALLWAYS

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.

BEDROOMS

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans, and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.

CLOSETS

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean all shelving.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out where applicable.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.

INTERIOR

Install a clean HVAC filter, and clean or dust the return-air grille and accessible vents.

KITCHEN

Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.
Stove and oven: Clean the cooktop, oven, drawer, and the floor beneath the appliance.
Range hood, vent, and microwave: Clean inside, outside, and underneath. Clean or replace filters as needed.
Refrigerator: Clean shelves, drawers, freezer, exterior, and the floor behind and beneath the appliance. Empty the ice dispenser and turn off the ice maker where applicable.
Dishwasher: Run an empty cleaning cycle, then wipe the exterior, edges, and seals.
Sink: Clean the sink and remove food particles and debris.
Cabinets and drawers: Clean inside and out, and remove loose shelf paper.
Countertops: Clean and remove all food particles and debris.

DINING AREA/BREAKFAST AREA/DINING ROOM

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans, and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.

LAUNDRY ROOM/CLOSET

Professionally clean carpet where applicable.
Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean all shelving.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out where applicable.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.
Washer and dryer: If provided, clean inside, outside, behind, and beneath each appliance.

BATHROOMS

Clean floors, walls, doors, baseboards, switch plates, and outlet covers.
Clean light fixtures and replace burned-out bulbs.
Remove dust and cobwebs from the ceiling.
Clean windows and blinds inside and out where applicable.
Dust and clean accessible HVAC vents.
Replace missing or damaged switch plates and outlet covers.
Clean tubs and showers thoroughly.
Clean toilets inside and out, including the base.
Clean sinks, vanities, cabinets, and drawers.