Guide to preparing for a house viewing

First impressions are important for any sale, and houses are no exception. Potential buyers will make an immediate judgement on your home as soon as they see it.

To begin with, step outside your home and take it in as a whole. Then, answer the following questions:

- Has the lawn been mowed?

- Have any pathways been cleared of mess and have weeds been removed?

- Does the paint on your window frames and doors need a new coat?

- Do you have any display features (flower pots, ornaments etc.) outside the house?

- Have bushes/hedges been cut back and tidied?

Living areas are important when it comes to selling a house. When you’re preparing a house for a viewing, you need to make every effort to make them seem appealing. Turn them into a space that potential buyers could see themselves relaxing and winding down in. Here are a few pointers:

- Remove any clutter from the room and put away personal possessions

- Keep your curtains/blinds open to let natural light in

- Give the house a deep clean

- Open a window to let some fresh air through the room

It’s important that anyone viewing your home sees it at its best.and bathrooms and kitchens are often seen as the most important features of a house.

Here are our top tips for preparing your bathroom for a viewing:

- Clear away any clutter, put away shampoo bottles and cleaning products etc.

- Put out fresh, folded towels

- Check any sealant/grouting for mould – reseal if necessary

- Clean and polish shower and bath fittings

- Add an air freshener to the room such as a plug in freshener or reed diffuser 

A potential buyer will want to assess your kitchen in terms of both space and cleanliness. Again, it’s important that they’re able to visualise themselves using it.

Here are a few of our tips for making your kitchen as appealing as possible:

- Clean and polish all surfaces

- Put unnecessary appliances away

- Remove any clutter

- Give the oven a good clean

- Remove any pet food bowls

- Open a window to circulate fresh air

A little garden maintenance can go a long way when it comes to preparing your home for a viewing. Try the following as a starting point:

- Tidy away any general mess

- Cut back any overgrown hedges/bushes

- Jet Wash any patios, paths and driveways

- Remove weeds from patios and pathways

- Mow the lawn

- Add seasonal fertiliser to the lawn to rejuvenate it

You will typically be asked how long the property has been on the market, why you are moving, if you have had any offers / if you are willing to take offers. Never enter into negotiations directly with the viewer over offers, what you will be leaving in the property etc. as this should be negotiated through ourselves and your solicitor as part of the legal process.

Don’t give out your contact details to viewers as it can really complicate negotiations further down the line and they can put unnecessary pressure on you.

You may be asked what the neighbours are like, what work you have done to the house and about facilities, shops and schools in the area. If you are unsure what you should and shouldn’t say about anything, refer the question to ourselves and we will be happy to advise you.