Carefully prepping your house for viewing is an important consideration for all hopeful sellers. Of course, marketing plays a crucial role in paving the route to a sale – but once you have a host of viewers booked in to take a look at your listing, it’s up to you to do everything you can to turn those prospective buyers into the people you’ll be handing your house keys over to.
In an ideal world your home would speak for itself, but sometimes you need commit to a spot of sprucing to highlight its full potential and maximise the assets of your property. But in today’s ultra-competitive property market, a simple clean and tidy might not be enough – it’s also about kerb appeal, finishing touches, and just the right level of personalisation.
For many, property preparation can be a daunting process – but it doesn’t need to be! With these 10 tips, you’ll be set to showcase your home and captivate those prospective buyers in no time at all.
1. Boost the kerb appeal
First and foremost, it’s important to consider the exterior of your property. The majority of buyers tend to undertake a whistle-stop, drive-by viewing before they even get a chance to look at the interior – so it’s important that you set the tone of the rest of the house from the onset.
Ensure your garden is prepped and maintained – whether that’s trimming a few plants, mowing the lawn, or jet washing the driveway – line any bins neatly to the side or remove them from view completely, and park your car around the corner if possible to provide a clear first-look of the house on viewing day.
2. Deep clean
This one goes without saying, but be sure to clean your home from top to bottom before any viewing takes place. A potential buyer will want to assess your home in terms of cleanliness, on top of various other factors, as it indicates the condition that the home might be left in once purchased.
But this doesn’t just mean a quick antibacterial wipe across surfaces – a true spring clean involves steam cleaning any carpets and upholstery, as well as getting into the nooks and crannies of each room.
3. De-clutter
Not only does clutter make your house look untidy, it also minimises the space available in each room. Store away any unnecessary items – from shoes and coats to unused household furniture – to maximise the appeal of your home.
It’s also important to be meticulous even with areas that aren’t immediately visible – buyers will often open cupboards and hideaway storage spaces to see every element of space available.
4. Neutralise your décor
Prospective buyers need to be able to visualise themselves in the home they’re viewing, so it’s sometimes necessary to emotionally detach yourself from it, removing overly personal décor or unusual styles of art that might not appeal to everyone.
If you have time, you should even consider giving any gendered rooms a refresh – whether that’s a lick of paint or just a new set of bedsheets – to optimise the viewer’s visions of the home.
5. Prep your pets
Just because you love your pets, it doesn’t mean someone else will. Animals can often leave lingering smells and hair around the home, so it’s a good idea to leave them with a sitter during viewings and ensure any pet-related props are out of sight.
6. Make the most of natural light
Everyone loves a home with natural light – not only does it provide economic benefits including reduced electricity bills, it also gives a fresh and productive feel.
By opening curtains and blinds, and using mirrors to amplify light, you can significantly boost the appeal of your home to prospective buyers. If the sun’s rays aren’t flooding in enough, be sure to utilise artificial lighting so that your home doesn’t look dark and uninspiring.
7. Ventilate the property
Keeping windows ajar – either before or during viewings – can remove any lingering odours from your home, mitigate the risk of unpleasant stuffiness and circulate a stream of air to freshen up each room.
8. Pay attention to detail
Make a viewer’s time memorable by paying crucial attention to detail – whether it’s setting the atmosphere with an aromatic candle, or placing some folded towels on the bathroom shelves as a cosy finishing touch. You only get one chance to make a lasting impression – so make it count!
9. Attend to repairs
If there are some elements of your home that are easily fixable – such as squeaky hinges or cracks in the plaster – there’s no better time to give them some TLC.
These bits may seem minor, but fixing them promptly will help viewers form a better overall impression of your home and increase the likelihood of them falling in love with it.
10. Plan the viewing in advance
Finally, if you’re the one leading the house viewing, building genuine rapport with your viewers is better than trying to sell too hard, overloading them with information and eroding their trust. Try not to formulate any kind of script, but do note key details about your property that prospective buyers might ask.
It’s always a good idea to plan out the route of your tour beforehand, too, so you can be sure not to miss anything out and finish on the best aspect of the house – just remember to let them look around independently and give them some breathing space in each room.
In all of these instances, the key point to remember is to think like a viewer and see what your eyes are drawn to upon entering each room. This way, you can see which areas are ready to impress and which might need further attention.
It’s not a must to tick off everything on this list, but these small and simple suggestions could significantly speed up the process of your sale and make the situation a lot less daunting. We’d love to hear if you have any other tips that you swear by – get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to share them. Good luck with all your house preparation!
