Buyers often decide how they feel about a home within the first few minutes of a viewing. You do not need to renovate: a clear, clean and bright home lets people see the space instead of the clutter.
Before the first viewing
- Declutter: clear worktops, tables and hallways, and pack away about a third of what is on your shelves.
- Fix the small things: dripping taps, loose handles, blown bulbs and sticking doors are easy to sort and easy for buyers to notice.
- Clean thoroughly: kitchens, bathrooms and windows matter most.
- Tidy the outside: mow the lawn, sweep the path and make sure the front door and house number look cared for.
On the day
- Open curtains and blinds and switch on lamps in darker rooms.
- Air the rooms and keep cooking smells to a minimum.
- Put pets, their bowls and their beds out of the way.
- Leave the viewing to your agent if you can. Buyers speak more freely when the owner is not there.
Ask your agent for honest feedback after the first few viewings. If several people mention the same thing, it is usually worth fixing.