Preparing your home for viewers and creating a great first impression
You’ll want your property to stand out from others on the market by creating a good first impression and generating as much interest as possible. Follow these top tips to help your home attract a buyer.
The exterior of your home
Make sure the front of your home looks inviting, as this is the very first thing that buyers will see when they arrive for their viewing.
- Tidy hedges
- Repaint your front door if it’s looking tired
- Put a house number on or next to your front door
- Plant a colourful hanging basket
- Move bins out of view
- Clear away anything unsightly
- Ensure your front garden is tidy
- Clear the driveway
Make the most of your garden
Gardens can be a great selling point but will make the space look smaller and unloved if they become overgrown. This home (and garden) in Gloucester sold within just 2 days, for well over the asking price and had a number of offers.
- Declutter any broken pots and hideaway kids’ toys
- Cut the lawn
- Power wash decking, patios and garden furniture
- Plant some tubs
- Create privacy with trellis or trees
- Remove moss and weeds
First impression of the interior of your home
Entranceway
As soon as your potential buyer walks through the door, your home needs to create another welcoming impression. A light, clutter-free hall will give buyers a positive feeling as well as a great lasting impression.
This Barnwood home with a great entranceway sold for over the asking price in under 10 days.
- Clear away excess shoes and coats and keep remaining shoes and coats tidy
- Declutter the space of anything that doesn’t belong
- If your hallway is narrow, remove any furniture so that buyers can walk through easily.
- Add a large mirror to reflect light and leave doors to other rooms open to borrow light
- Add a vase of flowers or a potted plant for some personality.
- Add a doormat to welcome buyers
Remove clutter
Less is more. Buyers need to be able to envisage themselves living in your home and often find this difficult if the rooms are overflowing with personal belongings.
This home in Brockworth recently sold for more than the asking price within just 2 hours of being on the market!
Tidy up your kitchen counters, windowsills, tables, floor space, tops of wardrobes, garage and all other areas on show.
Consider renting a storage unit for a while whilst your home is on the market. Lots of units are available locally, from as little as £10 per week (depending on how much space you need).
If some of your belongings are already boxed up, it will also make things easier when you come to actually move out.
Read more decluttering tips here.
Deep clean
Make your home sparkle and look cared-for, paying particular attention to the kitchen and bathrooms.
- Clean under and behind furniture
- Clean the windows – don’t let buyers be distracted by dirty glass
- Touch up scuff marks on skirting boards, walls and doors
- Clean tile grouting
- Get carpets professionally cleaned or replaced
- Clean away any bad smells
Make minor repairs
Most buyers want to move in without having to do small DIY projects.
- Repair holes in walls
- Replace or tighten door handles
- Check the doorbell
- Tighten dripping taps
- Replace light bulbs
Create a lifestyle look
You want your home to look tidy, whilst also looking lived in by happy people. This 2 bedroom home in Churchdown recently sold for significantly over the asking price and received a number of offers during an open house.
- Have a large mirror or a piece of statement art on the wall
- Dress your sofa with colourful cushions
- Include a vase of fresh seasonal flowers
- Set your dining table with matching crockery, cutlery and glassware
Local and trusted expertise to sell your home
As local estate agents in Worcester, Cheltenham, Stroud and Gloucester, when you’re ready to sell, speak to our valuation experts. We can advise you on further ways to prepare your home for sale, as well as how to achieve the best possible price.
Book a free valuation to find out what your home's worth.
