Selling your house can be a stressful time. Not only are you preparing to leave your current home but there’s also the logistics, house price, negotiations, and packing… need we go on? With all this bouncing around in your head, preparing for house viewings can feel overwhelming. Letting people into your space, knowing that this could be their home one day, can bring up a whole range of emotions.
More viewings are likely to lead to more potential buyers, and hopefully more offers. With this in mind, you want to prepare your home so people can view it as a blank canvas to dream up their new lifestyle.
We’ve put together our top tips for preparing your house for viewings, so you can make the best first impression.
Declutter and Tidy
It might sound obvious, but making sure your house is tidy and free of clutter is a must. If you can recall times you’ve walked into someone’s house and it was either sparkling or a complete tip, you can probably remember the different reactions you had as soon as you walked through the door.
Have a think now, how do you want people to feel when they walk into your house? What do you want their first impression to be? This might be something you’ve thought about anyway, but it becomes doubly important when it comes to a house viewing.
Viewers need to be able to imagine themselves living in your house, which can be difficult to do if it’s filled with clutter. Rooms filled to the brim with furniture can appear smaller, making it difficult to see the potential. You may consider putting some furniture in storage to maximise the space and give viewers the chance to be creative with the space.
Most importantly, the viewers should be able to imagine themselves living there, which is much easier when they have a semi blank canvas.
Kerb Appeal
The inside of the house is important, but have you considered how your house looks from the outside?
Kerb appeal is the impression someone gets from the house whilst viewing it from the kerb. Things like overgrown hedges, cardboard stacked outside, and dirty front doors can put someone off before they even step inside. First impressions count, and even though the property will have been marketed, you want to make sure that it’s living up to or exceeding expectations.
We walk around on autopilot through most of our lives, especially when we’re getting home after a long day. It’s worth going outside and taking in what your house looks like, and you can make any changes to spice up the kerb appeal.
Spruce Up the Garden
Speaking of outside the house, you want to make sure you’re giving the viewers an idea of the potential of the garden/s. For some people, gardens are the deal breaker. Weeding, trimming and clearing up the space can make all the difference. Additionally, if you have a garage or shed, clearing the space will give people an idea of storage. Even if you’re taking your shed with you, it can provide inspiration for something they might like to have themselves in the future.
Cleaning the exterior features of the house, like the driveway or any patios and paths, can also add to the overall energy of the outside of the house, allowing to build the anticipation of stepping inside.
When it comes to the day people are coming to view the house, having a last-minute mow, and making sure the garden looks presentable, can make all the difference.
Repair and Decorate
Unless your house is specifically a fixer-upper, the last thing you want is someone to walk in and see a multitude of things that need fixing. It could lead people to put in lower offers because they are preempting the cost of the repairs. It’s also worth giving the space a fresh lick of paint, nothing too garish or out there, just to ensure the house looks fresh and ready to move into. This will help to keep people focused on the important things rather than a leaky tap or peeling wallpaper.
Get Things Smelling Great
The part of the brain that processes smell is connected to emotions and memory. This means that how somewhere smells can have a huge impact on how we feel about a space. When you’re preparing your house for a viewing, take out the bins, freshen the bathroom and open the windows to allow the house to air. Things like air fresheners and scented candles can also add to a sensory experience; just don’t overdo it, as overpowering smells can also be off-putting.
If you want to go a step further, some people opt for baking beforehand or making a pot of freshly brewed coffee.
Get Expert Advice
Just like when you’re making any big change in your life, getting expert advice from people you trust can make all the difference. If you’re selling your house, there’s estate agents, mortgage lenders (presumably you’re getting another house), and property lawyers, and that’s where we come in.
At Barrett and Co Solicitors, we have a team of conveyancing specialists ready to deal with the legal work, so you can be focusing on other things, like baking cookies for the potential buyers. If you’re looking for experienced property lawyers, get in touch today and we’ll see how we can help.
