That means presenting it in its best possible light.
What did you love about your home when you first saw it? Why do you think it’d be a great buy for someone else?
From tidying the garden to neutral colour schemes and making the most of kerb appeal, a few simple and relatively cheap changes can make a huge difference when it comes to how potential buyers perceive your property.
And the price they’re willing to pay.
We caught up with valuation consultant Stephanie Coutts, who works in our Alford Place office in Aberdeen, for her top tips for preparing your home for photographs, as well as getting ready for viewings.
Kerb appeal and gardens
Have you driven past somewhere you’re considering viewing? A lot of people do. This means a great starting point is to make sure your home looks great from the outside. And that includes tidying the garden.
Quick and easy tasks including cutting the grass, getting rid of weeds, and cutting back untidy hedges and bushes make a difference.
Plus, do you need to give the windowsills or doors a lick of paint? Maybe a pot or basket would top things off and make your home look as welcoming as possible.
Make sure any sheds or other garden buildings are looking fresh and clean. These are key features so ideally they’d be looking their best for photographs and viewings.
And finally, keep on top of maintenance. Make sure the doorbell works and keep the windows clean. Tackle minor gutter repairs and replace slipped or broken slates.
Bathrooms and toilets
As ever, the rule of thumb here is the less there is on display, the better. Tidy everything away from your toothbrush to children’s bath toys. If you have a window, open it and let some fresh air circulate to reduce moisture build up.
Would the tiles benefit from regrouting? If your bath or shower sealant is discoloured or mouldy, replace it before viewers come round.
Living areas
Again, have a bit of a clear out.
All that said, we wouldn’t recommend decluttering fully. You want the property to feel like a home and look tidy. Have a think about the homes you’ve looked at that have stood out. Chances are these are the ones with a bit of personality, but that were still clean and tidy.
Depersonalisation is worth it though. Clear your walls of postcards from friends, diary reminders and children’s artwork. De-personalising a house makes it easier for people to imagine themselves living there.
It’ll come as no surprise that the bigger the room feels, the more appealing it’ll be to a potential buyer. So it makes sense to shift furniture around to make more space and redecorate in neutral colour schemes, if you can.
If your property’s empty, we can help with adding digital furnishing to the online images — helping people visualise how rooms would look with the likes of sofas, beds and armchairs.
Also, have a think about what features you want to highlight. If you’re lucky enough to have a traditional fireplace, for example, make sure it’s clean and the hearth is clear. Or if the weather’s right — have it lit!
Add soft touches like cushions and throws, and if it’s a daylight viewing, make sure there’s as much light as possible. Pull those curtains right back and remove things from the windowsill that might reduce light. It’s always a good idea to pop a light on as well and open blinds or curtains as much as you can. Light-filled homes tend to sell quicker, and for higher prices, than darker counterparts.
Kitchen
Make sure it’s clean. Polish all your shiny surfaces and make sure any appliances included in the sale have had a once over.
Let in some fresh air and — although it’s a cliché — consider having something freshly baked, or brew some coffee, so the room smells as appealing as possible. Another option is to give each room a quick spritz — just don’t overdo it!
Space and purpose
If you work from home and you’ve turned a bedroom into an office, turn it back into a bedroom before viewings. Or at least make sure it isn’t presented as a “dual purpose” room that can give the impression there’s not as much space.
Kids’ rooms can be a challenge, but clear away as much clutter as you can before people come round.
Storage wars
Start off by having a good clear out. If nothing else, it’ll mean you have less to take with you when you move.
Investing in some clever storage to keep things organised is a great idea. There are some brilliant options to help you make the most of limited, or unusually sized, space.
Plus, don’t forget garages and lofts. Buyers will want to scope these out, so don’t make these dumping grounds for things you’ve moved from other rooms.
General tips
Touch up any wall scuffs with paint and get any carpet stains professionally cleaned.
If, during the time your home’s on the market, you carry out any upgrades, we’d recommend you take new professional photos. It can also be worth updating images in the summer when your garden’s in full bloom, especially if your original shots were taken in the winter.
Make sure your bins are emptied.
No pets, please
While you love yours, not everyone wants to share their homes with pets. Some people are genuinely afraid, or they may have allergies.
Get bowls, toys and beds out of the way before viewers arrive and, if you can, ask a friend or neighbour to look after the pets during a viewing so there are no distractions.
Viewing etiquette
If you’re carrying out viewings yourself, greet people at the door, show them round and then allow them to have a wander in their own time (if you feel comfortable doing this — but do make sure any valuables or confidential documents are out of sight).
It may seem obvious, but clean your house beforehand. You’d be amazed how many potential buyers are put off because things are a bit untidy.
Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers to people’s questions, you can always refer them to us, and we’ll take things from there. We’d also suggest not discussing any offers during a viewing: viewers ought to speak to their solicitor who can get in touch with us to discuss further.
The best approach is to be your home’s worst critic. Cast a critical eye over everything before before putting it on the market and address any elements you think might be a sticking point. Even better, have a friend walk round as if they’re a viewer and ask them to be brutally honest about any improvements.
There’s a lot to think about, and it’s natural to have questions. The good news is our friendly team is on hand to help and we’re more than happy to offer more specific advice about presenting your home or sale.
